Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder FC

Twelve Brisbane Roar Youth players could be potential recruits for Young Roar’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland rivals after being released by the club.

Luke Pavlou, Stephen O'Neill, Logan Grillo, Austin Ludwik, Conor O'Neill, Jordan Lampard, Lachlan Gorry, Shelford Dais, Alex Krsic, Joshua Grommen and Denver Crickmore have all been released ahead of the Foxtel National Youth League season due to start next month.

Patrick Theodore, who was one of several Young Roar players to see match time in the Hyundai A-League last season, was also confirmed as opting to depart the club.

The squad shake-up follows a review of the club’s youth team ahead of the start of training for the Foxtel National Youth League campaign.

Due to recently announced changes in the format of the Foxtel National Youth League, Roar has opted to focus further on developing players promoted from the club’s Under 18’s ranks throughout the previous PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season.

The released players are likely to come into consideration from their former PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland rivals as the competition’s other eleven clubs begin the process of assembling their squads for the 2016 campaign.

One highly prized target could be 19-year-old midfielder Pavlou, who made his Hyundai A-League debut earlier this year for Roar, and also accumulated 26 appearances in two seasons with Young Roar in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Also boasting plenty of match experience is fellow 19-year-old midfielder Grillo - the Mareeba product making a total of 50 appearances in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland with both Young Roar and Queensland Academy of Sport.

Attack-minded twins Conor O’Neill and Stephen O’Neill, who were part of Middlesbrough FC’s Academy in England, may potentially tempt several suitors after contributing a combined 11 goals over the past two campaigns from midfield.

While versatile attacker Shelford Dais, who previously a youth player with Brisbane Strikers, will also command attention after figuring heavily in many of Young Roar’s goals in his 29 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland appearances.

At the other end of the field, goalkeeper Crickmore and defenders Ludwik, Lampard and Gorry were also regular contributors to a Young Roar side that has kept eight clean sheets over the past two PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland seasons.