There’s no time for the Wellington Phoenix to ease into the Ninja A-League season, with a grand final rematch on tap.
The Nix take on reigning champions Melbourne City, whom they have never beaten, this Sunday to open their season.
Head coach Bev Priestman is happy with the challenge first up.
“It’s just a game,” she told media pre-game. “Put any team in front of us, this game has to be about us attacking the season with a fresh mindset.
“It is a rematch from the final and all of these things, but at the end of the day we know the A-League week one looks nothing like the end of the season.
“That’s the nature of the league, the travel, the injuries. I’m not going to get carried away.
“We want to start stronger than we did last year, it took us until that Sydney game [a 7-0 win], to really go for it.”
She believes the team is ready to make another step up from last season’s record-breaking performance.
“My expectations are that anyone putting on that shirt, we’re the most together team.
“We’ve got talent in the team that can make things happen, and I think that is the bit I’ll be measuring the most in this first game.”
“It’s new for us, but I think we’re excited to take the field as Wellington Phoenix where the opposition know they have a difficult game on their hands.
“We just have to be us.”
A short-handed squad is still waiting for CJ Bott to return after having her first baby during the off-season, while Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari is another long-term absentee.
New signings Kam Pickett and Mikaela Bangalan will also be absent for this game, while the four Football Ferns who travelled to Panama may be short of match sharpness after only recently returning to the capital.
“We’ve got a list of injuries unfortunately going into this game, but what I’ve seen today on the training pitch and this week is that it’s next player up.
“We’ve been in these circumstances before, we’ve rose to some great challenges. There’s a huge opportunity available to us.
“This is the first step, we’re excited and ready, and it’s a really good opportunity for us to put our best foot forwards on our turf.”
The matchweek 1 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City is scheduled to kick-off at Hnry Stadium at 12.15pm (10.15am AEDT) on Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 16 May 2026 – Melbourne City 3 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, City 9W, 0D
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 6. Abby ERCEG, 7. Grace JALE, 8. Milly CLEGG, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 17. Indiah-Paige RILEY, 20. Emma TAYLOR-MAIN, 21. Sienna CANDY, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 25. Alyssha EGLINTON, 26. Lily BRAZENDALE, 27. Zoe BENSON, 29. Freya DES FOUNTAIN, 31. Makala WOODS.
Unavailable: 2. CJ BOTT (c), 9. Sabitra BHANDARI (injured), 29. Mikaela BANGALAN (injured), 30. Kam PICKETT (injured).
Melbourne City squad: 3. Danielle TURNER, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 8. Momo HAYASHI, 9. Cortnee VINE, 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Melina AYRES, 15. Tully HEATLEY, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 20. Kelli McGROARTY, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Taylor RAY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 26. Izabella RAKO, 27. Chelsea BIGGS, 29. Layla HABIB.
Unavailable: 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 19. Keira SARRIS, 25. Dali GORR BURCHMORE (all international duty).
Cover photo credit: Photomac/Cam McIntosh
