Wellington Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman is excited about the opportunity to create more history.
The Phoenix are playing host to reigning premiers Melbourne City at Porirua Park on Saturday afternoon.
City sit second in the league, but with three games in hand over top of the table Canberra United, and have won all seven of their previous meetings with the Nix.
The last five defeats have been by just one goal, including a 1-0 loss in Melbourne at the start of December when City scored from their only shot on target in the 86th minute.
Priestman believes her side can take a lot out of that match.
“I thought we did a very good job of denying of what they have to offer for large parts of that game and then we switched off at a critical moment,” Priestman told media on Wednesday.
“What I do know about the best teams is sometimes set plays are critical in these games. It’s tight so players will have to be switched on to that.
“But I do think we have an opportunity. To get that performance away from home and then to go to Porirua Park with our fan base and just the vibe you get in that place, I’m really hoping that’s going to help us.
“We have some learnings on what we can build upon. I think we’re a better team attacking wise, going forward than what we were when we were there. We were going through a bit of a drought, and we’ve hopefully put that to bed.
“I’m expecting a tough game but I’m also really excited.”
Stopping Matildas forward Holly McNamara will be a priority for the Phoenix. McNamara’s found the back of the net seven times in seven matches.
“I actually think we did a really good job last time, but they’ve now added [Chinaza] Uchendu alongside McNamara so they’ve changed a little bit of what they do.
“They know she’s a top, top player and they try to find her all the time, but I think we’ve got very, very good defenders.
“It’s an opportunity for anyone that it’s in that line-up to step up. I think the likes of a Mack Barry and players like that rub their hands together to go and test themselves against some of the best in the league.”
Bev Priestman will be without her leading scorer, Sabitra Bhandari, for Saturday’s match and the rest of the season after Samba suffered a serious knee injury against Brisbane last week.
New signing Makala Woods has trained with the squad for the past three days since arriving in Wellington on Sunday and will be considered for selection.
“We’ve got to get her up to speed. Her season finished in the back end of November so she needs to get ready and physically integrated in what we want to do, so it’s going to take a little bit of time.
“But I do see her having a big impact, whether it be as a starter or coming off the bench and opening up the game, maybe when you’re chasing a game.”
It shapes as a pivotal eight days for Wellington, who will visit Canberra next weekend.
“I think there’s a big opportunity. I did see the last away trip as a bit of a chance to really get some gains and we took four points on the road, so I’ve got to be happy with that.
“I get excited for these games. We always seem to perform better against more structured teams…so I’m excited for the opportunity.
“Canberra are flying. I’ve watched them and they’re a hungry team. It won’t be an easy game and we’ve seen that at Sky Stadium.
“Two big games and a big opportunity ahead of us.”
The round 12 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Coming to the game? Check out the match day guide here.
Most recent meeting: 7 December 2025 – Melbourne City 1 Wellington Phoenix 0
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, City 7W, 0D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 2. CJ BOTT (c), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 13. Brooke NEARY (gk), 14. Lucía LEÓN, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 20. Emma MAIN, 21. Lara WALL, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 27. Zoe BENSON, 28. Grace BARTLETT, 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG.
Unavailable: 6. Tessel MIDDAG (injured), 8. Macey FRASER (personal reasons), 9. Sabitra BHANDARI (injured), 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (injured), 18. Ella MCCANN (injured).
Melbourne City squad (two to be omitted): 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 10. Izabella RAKO, 11. Deven JACKSON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (c), 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Keira SARRIS, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 24. Malena MIERES (gk).
Unavailable: 12. Shelby McMAHON (injured), 14. Laura HUGHES (injured), 20. Caitlin KARIC (injured).
Main image: Wellington Phoenix players celebrate scoring a goal during the round eight Ninja A-League match against Sydney FC at Porirua Park. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
