The Wellington Phoenix are looking forward to getting “back on the horse” following just their fourth defeat of the season.
The Phoenix are visiting last year’s beaten grand finalists the Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas on Friday night, five days on from their 2-1 loss to reigning champions Central Coast Mariners at a wind-hit Porirua Park.
Head coach Bev Priestman says the players have done a really good job unpicking that game.
“There’s some really good learnings, not only tactically but mentally as well,” Priestman told media after training on Thursday.
“Did we go into the second half with the wind and in our heads [think] ‘it’s going to be easier?’, when actually in fact if we’d have continued in the same vein that we played the first half I think it would have been a different game.
“Whenever you lose a game it’s what you take from it that is most important. I was really impressed with how reflective the players were and I reflected on some of the mindset and decisions in the game.
“We’ve just got to now be ready to move on because in Melbourne it’s hopefully going to be a very different game in different conditions.”
Priestman has welcomed the short turnaround.
“It’s a great chance now to get back on the horse, get back to us and get our heads down and work hard.
“What I do know about picking up points on the road, I’m accumulating that experience now, is it’s about defending well, working hard and performing across 90 minutes.
“Late in the game you’ve got to stay switched on, defend well and I do think we’ve got the depth in the squad across 90 minutes to go and pick up some points.
“However, what I do know is that Melbourne Victory are a top team. We took points off them last time but they’re going to have a point to prove and they’re going to be up for this game.
“We can’t take anything for granted. They are a top side, they’ve got great experience and it will be a tough game.”
The Nix recorded their maiden win over the Victory at Porirua Park in November, and are chasing their first on Friday – their maiden win in Melbourne.
“We’re going to have to go to another level.
“I felt in moments of that Central Coast game that they wanted it more than us, and that can’t be the case.
“We’ve got to match and go above and beyond a team who are on their home turf, who are fighting to be in a higher position, and probably deserve to be, [and] they’re going to come out with all guns blazing.
“There’s a reason it hasn’t been done yet. It’s hard to go to Melbourne and get them points but we’re going to do everything in our power.
“I’ve seen it in the players’ eyes this week. They are tuned in, dialled in and we’re there to take points.”
It’s Wellington’s final game for the best part of a month, with the A-League breaking for a fortnight for international football.
Priestman is asking her players to make one more “big push” before the international window.
“It’s very easy to say ‘I’m tired, it’s a tight turnaround’ but no excuses give us everything you’ve got.
“Then in the international window you’ve got a group who will go off to represent their countries and a group here who will try and keep fresh but also push as well.
“Let’s not take our foot off the gas because after this is a real big push now to do everything we can to go and make history for this club.”
The Phoenix have travelled to Melbourne without Football Ferns fullback Lara Wall, who will be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a calf injury.
“I’m gutted for her because she’s been battling it out at that wingback position.
“She’s got her head screwed on Lara, tactically understands the game, good around the group, [and] good leadership so she’s a big loss for us.
“But again it’s an opportunity for people to step up and I’ve had to work with some players in some different positions because of that, but everyone I’ve seen in this group when we’ve faced injuries have taken their opportunities and I think the players ahead of me will do that.”
The round 18 Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory is scheduled to kick-off at Home of the Matildas in Melbourne at 9pm (7pm AEDT) on Friday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 6 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 23 November 2025 – Wellington Phoenix 1 Melbourne Victory 0
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 1W, Victory 3W, 4D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (one to be omitted): 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 11. Manaia ELLIOTT, 14. Lucía LEÓN, 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE, 16. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 17. Ela JEREZ, 20. Emma MAIN, 22. Aimee DANIELI (gk), 23. Brooke NUNN, 24. Pia VLOK, 27. Zoe BENSON, 30. Mackenzie ANTHONY, 31. Makala WOODS, 32. Emma PIJNENBURG.
Unavailable: 2. CJ BOTT (c) (pregnant), 6. Tessel MIDDAG (injured), 9. Sabitra BHANDARI (injured), 10. Alyssa WHINHAM (injured), 21. Lara WALL (injured).
Melbourne Victory squad (two to be omitted): 1. Courtney NEWBON (gk), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 6. Taylor RAY, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (c), 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA, 30. Payton WOODWARD (gk), 41. Jessica YOUNG, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER.
Unavailable: 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN (injured), 11. Nicki FLANNERY (injured).
Main image: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
