Bev Priestman is ready for her first trip across the Tasman as Wellington Phoenix head coach.
While away trips have historically proven difficult for the Nix, she is ready to “embrace the challenge”.
“We’ve changed a few things around the lead-in to an away game,” Priestman told media pre-game.
“They’re going to go in the heat chamber today, but I think it’s the mindset.
“For me, the opportunity over the next seven days is to spend some real good time together.
“If we can be a really resilient squad whenever we go away, that is the opportunity.”
Taking on reigning premiers Melbourne City, whose last regular-season loss came in March of 2024, is a daunting task, but she believes the team can take something home.
“We’re really determined. I’ve seen the group respond to a challenge last time, and I’m hoping they can go and do it again.
“To go to Melbourne and achieve that would be brilliant. It’s a challenge but also an opportunity in front of us to go and do that.
“They’re tough, a top team. There’s a reason they were unbeaten outside the playoffs last year.
“We’ve got to take it to them, just like Melbourne Victory, and stick to our game plan. I think it would be a great three points away.
The Nix beat Melbourne Victory at home in their last game before enjoying the international break, which came at a good time to ease a spate of injuries within the squad.
Sabitra Bhandari is ready to make her return, while Lucía León and new signing Zoe Benson are in line for potential debuts.
“One or two of them could start. We’re getting healthier, we’re still a little bit thin.
“I don’t want to give the lineup away, but Samba has the ability to contribute significant minutes this game.
“She won’t be able to do 90, but we’ll use her in the moment we feel we can hurt them.
“We have the ability now to draw on some different options and tactics to go into this game.
“That’s where I want to get this team to, and I think they’ve taken on a lot of information very quickly.”
And while Priestman is happy with the defensive efforts so far, the break was used to fine tune some of the team’s attacking play.
“We pushed really hard with the squad that was here, we got to work on some of the gaps that we’ve seen.
“I think it’s clear that defensively, we’re right up there. We know we have work to do in terms of finishing chances, touches in the box.
“It’s a bit of a re-energiser and we’re ready to go again.”
The round five Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City is scheduled to kick-off at ctrl:cyber Pitch in Melbourne at 5pm (3pm AEDT) Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 30 March 2025 – Wellington Phoenix 0 Melbourne City 1
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, City 6W, 0D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Victoria ESSON (gk), 2. CJ BOTT (c), 3. Tiana JABER, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Ellie WALKER, 7. Grace JALE, 9. Sabitra BHANDARI, 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.
Unavailable: 6. Tessel MIDDAG (injured), 8. Macey FRASER (personal reasons), 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, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (c), 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Aideen KEANE, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 24. Malena MIERES (gk).
Unavailable: 22. Bryleeh HENRY (injured).
Cover photo credit: Photomac/Cam McIntosh
