Ballymore set to host an A-League game for the first time Brisbane Roar are set to play the Newcastle Jets at Ballymore next A-League season. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: CourierMail BALLYMORE is set to host an A-League match for the first time. The Courier-Mail has learnt that the Herston stadium, once the home ground of the Brisbane Strikers in the old National Soccer League, looms as the venue for Brisbane Roar-Newcastle Jets clash on December 20. The Roar's usual home ground Suncorp Stadium is unavailable for the whole of December due to Taylor Swift and Bon Jovi concerts. It had been the Roar's preference to play the match at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, the former home of the short-lived North Queensland Fury. However, it is understood Football Federation Australia officials would rather the match be played in Brisbane or its surrounding areas to ensure regular Roar supporters can still attend the match. Ballymore, which is owned by Queensland Rugby Union, is currently the Roar's training and administration base. With a capacity of 18,000, it's an ideal size for the Roar-Jets clash, which would likely attract a crowd of no more than 15,000 people. Work will need to be done to improve aspects of the venue to satisfy broadcaster Fox Sports' requirements in terms of safety of it staff. It is a cost likely to be shared among the Roar, FFA and Fox, but it is substantially less than the money required to bring another venue that was being considered - North Ipswich Reserve - up to A-League standard. FFA was comfortable with the match being played at the 27-000 capacity Skilled Park, the Robina venue that was home to former A-League club Gold Coast United and a facility that does not require any upgrading. But the Roar were not in favour of playing a match on the Gold Coast, perhaps scarred from previous ``home" games at Skilled Park during the floods in January 2011 which ruined Suncorp Stadium. The Roar hosted games at the Robina stadium during that time and attracted crowds of just 3522 (v Wellington Phoenix) and 4213 (v Melbourne Heart). Roar general manager Sean Dobson said his club, FFA and Fox Sports were "exploring all options" for the Brisbane-Newcastle clash. Dobson also said ongoing discussions were taking place with "relevant partners at several locations" about not only the December 20 clash but a "potential future return." The Roar are playing pre-season matches against A-League opposition next month in Ipswich (September 14 v Melbourne Victory) and Cairns (September 22 v Sydney FC). They also travel to Lismore for tomorrow week's trial against Melbourne Heart. Meanwhile, FFA officials have finally listened to coaches by adding a fifth substitute to the bench for the upcoming A-League season. Clubs were constantly frustrated by being limited to just three outfield players and a goalkeeper on their benches during the first eight years of the A-League. While the number of permitted substitutions during matches will remain at three, having another player at their disposal in their match-day squads is a huge relief to coaches.