GREAT FORM: Jeremy Brockie (centre) and Phoenix teammates at training in Brisbane. Source: The Courier-Mail
A SIZZLING run of form that has already secured Jeremy Brockie nine goals this season has the Wellington Phoenix striker ready to break his duck against Brisbane Roar tonight at Suncorp Stadium.
Brockie is yet to score in 10 appearances against the Roar for five different current or former A-League clubs.
If fact, the 25-year-old New Zealand international has not had much luck in matches with the Roar, having suffered a broken leg from a nasty foul from then Brisbane player Michael Zullo when playing for the now defunct North Queensland Fury in January 2010.
It was a tackle that Zullo still regrets to this day, although Brockie insists there are no hard feelings.
"The tackle was one of those freak things and it's long in the memory now," the Phoenix attacker told The Courier-Mail.
"I've had a good injury-free run, touch wood."
It is one of the reasons Brockie has been in such devastating form for the Phoenix.
Already three-quarters of the way to the 12-goal target he set himself at the start of the season, Brockie has perhaps also been motivated to prove wrong his most recent Australian club, Newcastle Jets.
Having moved to the Jets on a two-year deal after one season in Townsville, he felt Newcastle did not do enough to keep him.
"They did offer something but it was a little bit disappointing and then, at the end of last season, it went a little bit pear-shaped for me there," Brockie said.
"But that's part of football and I'm very happy now in Wellington. From day one that I walked into the club they made me feel welcome."
With his confidence at an all-time high, Brockie cannot wait to go head-to-head with his former Fury teammate, Roar skipper Matt Smith, in not only his bid to score against Brisbane for the first time but inspire the inconsistent Phoenix to their maiden Suncorp Stadium win.
"It'll be a good battle between myself and Matt Smith. He's a good defender and he deserves all the accolades he's been getting lately," he said.
"I enjoy playing against the Roar. The last couple of seasons they've been the standout team in the league.
"I watched their (1-0) win over Adelaide last week and they're slowly starting to show the form they've shown over the past two seasons.
"They've still got the same core of players that won those championships.
"I'm sure they'll hit their straps at some stage and do well.
"We've got to concentrate, work hard and make sure we don't give their key players any time on the ball."
The Phoenix squad includes former Roar goalkeeper Griffin McMaster, who will being among the substitutes.
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