The Wellington Phoenix women kick off their most eagerly anticipated season in their short history at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After a first week bye, the Phoenix are playing host to Canberra United in round two of the 2025-26 Ninja A-League.
Expectations have risen this season with the Nix recruiting five experienced internationals and appointing arguably the best credential coach in the history of the A-Leagues, Bev Priestman.
“We want to do things that this team hasn’t done before [and] we want to get this country behind us,” Priestman told media at Sky Stadium on Friday morning.
“Get the city and the country behind us and go and inspire a nation and a generation to pick up a football.
“There’s been a lot of talk, we just want to get the ball rolling and start with action.”
The Phoenix have fallen short of the finals in the women’s team’s past four seasons and Priestman is driving a mentality change.
“This team is used to being the underdog, the one that goes and hunts the other team, now in many ways we’re being talked about as a big dog and we’re the hunted team.
“That takes a different mentality and a different complexity. Teams get up for you more and, if you’re not careful, it can make you take a step backwards and bring fear.
“We’ve got an unbelievable group of players, we all know where we’re heading and we’ve got a vision of where we want to be. Now it’s about belief and confidence.
“They don’t know how good they are yet. That’s the big thing for me to try and instil that confidence and belief. That’s going to take time. I think it’ll be more a mentality shift than anything else.”
It has been a “tricky” pre-season for the Nix as a result of injuries and international commitments.
“In terms of getting what you deem the best XI for this game together hasn’t been there.
“But I’m really happy with the squad and I’m really happy with their mentality.
“Now we’ve got the Ferns back we’re just excited to get the ball rolling and get the season underway.
“This game can feel bigger than what it is. It is one game and it won’t be perfect.”
Bev Priestman has been counting down the days to Saturday, which will be her first competitive game as a head coach in around a year and a half.
“I’m really, really excited. If I think of where I was a year ago tomorrow, it was a dark place.
“I’m super excited to get on the pitch, play in front of fans and get this team going.
“I feel really grateful, proud and privileged to lead this team. I’m super excited for the day, I have been all week.”
Canberra lost their season opener to Newcastle Jets 2-1 last week, but Priestman is wary of what they are capable of and has identified Michelle Heyman and Sasha Grove as threats.
“[They are] a very expansive team. An attack-minded team. They throw numbers [forward].
“I don’t need to really talk about Heyman, but I should. Very traditional number nine, lives off the shoulder, great in the box [and] finishes first time so we’re highly aware of her.
“They’ve recruited well. They got Grove from Western United, a really attacking, crossing, joining on the line fullback so crossing and finishing is a bit part of their game.
“We’ve also identified some areas we can capitalise on because of their nature of going forward.”
Proud Wellingtonian CJ Bott will captain the Phoenix women on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m very honoured,” Bott told media on Friday. “It might be a little bit emotional for me, I don’t know, but I am really, really excited to lead this group.
“And like I say I’m very honoured and privileged to be able to walk the team out tomorrow.”
The second round Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Canberra United is scheduled to kick-off at Sky Stadium in Wellington at 4pm Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE and free on Sky Open and LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 13 April 2025 – Canberra United 1 Wellington Phoenix 0
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 3W, Canberra 4W.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 2. CJ BOTT, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Tessel MIDDAG, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Sabitra BHANDARI, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 12. Ella MCMILLAN, 14. Lucía LEÓN, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 19. Liv INGHAM, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK.
Unavailable:3. Tiana JABER (injured).
Canberra United squad (two to be omitted): 1. Sally JAMES (gk), 2. Alex McKENZIE, 5. Jazmin WARDLOW, 6. Josie AULICINO, 7. Emma HAWKINS, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 16. Keira BOBBIN, 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (gk), 19. Sienna DALE, 23. Michelle HEYMAN (c), 25. Darcey MALONE, 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON, 33. Nanako SASAKI, 44. Ava BRIEDIS.
Unavailable: Nil.
Main image: The Wellington Phoenix women walk out for training at Sky Stadium. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
