Brisbane Roar’s Smith refreshed after a week off

Brisbane Roar defender Matt Smith says the team is feeling fresh after a week off and is ready to face reigning champions Sydney FC.

With the new look 11-team A-League competition this season, the Roar were forced to sit out of round 2 action but Smith is confident the team can continue Sydney’s winless start to their title defence.

"There's nothing we'd love more than extending their poor start to the season," Smith told the Courier-Mail.

"We've had the luxury of a bye to sit back and see the second round, so we'll be refreshed and hopefully get our first win of the season."

The Sky Blues were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by North Queensland Fury last week and Smith said that loss will surely have the club pumped going into the Roar encounter.

“Sydney's still a powerhouse. They're the league champion and it doesn't get much better than that,” he added.

"I don't think North Queensland Fury did us any favours by beating them the other night.

"The players they've brought in will give us a very good test so we won't be taking them for granted."