It’s the dawn of a new era for the Wellington Phoenix men as Chris Greenacre begins his first season as permanent Nix head coach.
The Phoenix begin their 20th A-League Men season by facing Melbourne Victory in a nod to their first ever matchup, a 2-2 draw in 2007.
Greenacre is buzzing to get the campaign underway after the longest off-season in the world.
“Everyone’s excited, can’t wait for the start of the season,” he told media on Thursday.
“Everyone around the club is super excited, we’ve got the double-header and it’s going to be a great weekend in Wellington for sport.
“Everyone is working hard behind the scenes to make it a success.”
He is under no illusions as to what awaits the Nix first up against a strong Melbourne Victory side.
“We’ll be underdogs. That’s how I’ve thrived my whole career, being an underdog, and there’s no airs or graces around that.
“We’re here to make a point, we’re not going to roll over and die. We’ve shown last season at the end we can play an exciting brand of football, create chances, and that’s what we’re going to do.
“We need to be solid defensively and put our bodies on the line. I think the balance is pretty good.”
Victory are coming off an Australia Cup final defeat to South Melbourne and a mid-week win over FC Seoul in the Asian Champions League Two, and will be “raring to go”.
But regardless of the opposition, Greenacre has the courage of his convictions.
“They’re a great squad, from back to front. They had a fresh eleven playing in Asia last night.
“They had the disappointment of the Australia Cup final, and the squad’s full of quality.
“Whether we were match-hardened or not, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Melbourne Victory.
“We want to make Hnry Stadium a fortress and get our fans through the turnstiles.”
The matchweek 1 A-League Men’s match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory is scheduled to kick-off at Hnry Stadium at 3pm (1pm AEDT) on Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 4 May 2026 – Melbourne Victory 0 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 14W, Victory 29W, 14D
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 5. Walter SCOTT, 7. Bryce DUKE, 8. Max ANDERSON, 9. Rafael DURÁN, 11. Riley BIDOIS, 13. Henry GRAY (gk), 14. Alex RUFER (c), 17. Nathan WALKER, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 23. James MCGARRY, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matthew SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 32. Ben TRENBERTH, 34. Dylan GARDINER, 35. Luke MITCHELL, 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 99. Corban PIPER.
Unavailable: 6. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 39. Jayden SMITH.
Melbourne Victory squad (two to be omitted): 1. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 3. Jason DAVIDSON, 4. Philipp ZIEREIS, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Harrison SAWYER, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Thomas LOCKYER, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 18. Franco LINO, 21. Guillermo MAY, 22. Xavier STELLA, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 26. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 29. Michael GHOSSAINI, 36. Harrison SHILLINGTON, 44. Charles NDUKA
Unavailable: 6. Louis D’ARRIGO.
Cover photo credit: Photomac/Cam McIntosh
