May 15, 2026 • 7 mins
The Wellington Phoenix play for a first club A-League trophy when meeting Melbourne City in Saturday's A-League women's final.
To preview the match, Adam Cooper caught up with Phoenix defender, American import Ellie Walker.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Six days on from that thrilling come from behind semi
final win in front of home fans at Potty to
a Park. As you just heard there, the Wellington Phoenix
look to create even more history in the A League
and deliver the club its first piece of silverware. Now,
if you add the men's and women's seasons up over
the years at the Phoenix, there have been nineteen for
(00:21):
the men, five for the women. That's twenty four seasons
of football and finally the chance to play in a
Grand final for an A League title. Yep, the very
first Grand Final appearance in the A League by any
New Zealand team. The Wellington Phoenix versus Melbourne City tonight
(00:41):
six point fifteen our time from Melbourne's Amy Park. What
a night a hit. But first some pre match comments
from the Phoenix coach Bev Priestman. As you know, someone
with a huge and experienced footballing CV, here were her
thoughts on what this occasion means to the Phoenix as
a club.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Club deserves this moment, you know, I think five years
in the making. I'm really excited to see the club
and the players. You know, someone particularly like a Mac
who's been you know, pushing for five years to get
to this point. I think for us we have to
go in and enjoy the moment, but not enjoy you
too much. I think we have to stick to the process,
stick to the things that have got us here. But
(01:21):
at the same time, I think, you know, when we
enjoy ourselves, we play our best football. So I think
it'll be a case of managing moments, which is what
I think finals are about. It's the team that can
manage the moments the best. But I also think, yeah,
let the team take in the moment, enjoy the moment,
and hopefully we can deliver on our one hundredth games
something really really special for this club.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Yeah, it's a one hundredth game as well as a
footballing team, the Phoenix Woman. So yeah, wouldn't it be
extra special to like to mark that with a win
over in Melbourne. Well, I popped along to the airport
as the Phoenix were flying out during the week. There
was a lot of excitement and one of the many
players that has contributed so well to this team this
year is the American import center back Alie Walker. I've
(02:04):
got Allie's thoughts on what lies ahead. Tell us how
the last few days have been I guess absorbing the
amazing scenes from Body to a Park last Sunday, and
I guess having to park that up to put full
focus into a huge game this weekend.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
I think the probably the biggest emotion one obviously this
club's never been to the Grand Final, but also I
think just kind of realizing that we came from a deficit.
Doing that at home amazing, but it's like, oh wait,
we still got more to do, you know. So I
think it was going through those emotions, feeling that high,
but then getting right back to work.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
And you've had you know a lot of footballings at
Scarce and some big competitions around the world, But when
you see teenage teammates here in New Zealand that are
doing stuff like this for the very first time, how's
that been? Kind of being all part of it together.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I think the A League also has a unique setup
where you do get this playoff kind of grand final
thing at the end, which not many leagues do that.
So I think that's a cool thing in itself that
I've never got to experience. But I think it's cool
we're all kind of feeling at the same time. I
think obviously Brucknan has done this at her former club,
but we're all kind of filling it together. But I
(03:05):
think it's really cool to have our young girls and
even the ones that have been doing this for such
a long time, feel that feel this experience.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
How early on in your time at the Phoenix, did
you think, right, this is a team that could genuinely
play for the title this year.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I think just seeing the signings, seeing what Bev was
building here. I mean, obviously we had a lot of
injuries throughout this season, and I think maybe for a
second that would be oh no, But I think we've
really we have a team that's on the same page,
and I think that's super important. And what built Bev
is building here is kind of undeniable, and I think
whether it's not really based on the result, it's what's
(03:40):
within this club, within this group, that kind of that's
the that's the thing, you know, And a lot.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Of people would say at the start of the season, right, well,
the Finks have got BEV coaching, they should win the title.
But how's she been behind closed doors parts of you know,
how she coaches that we might not see from the outside.
What she offered to this group in maybe you individually too.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I think she picks up each player where they are.
So we obviously have a seventeen year old, we have
people in their thirties, people that are later in their career.
But I think it takes a talent to have so
many different people but make one picture. And I think
that's what Bev is great at doing and what she's
done throughout the season, and that's people coming in and
(04:17):
out of that picture, and squad's changing every now and then.
But I think when you can build something that with
stands no matter who you have, that's something special.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
And I mentioned there's been times through the season with
some of your top players. You know, some are at
the start, CJ becoming unavailable in things where it would
be easy to doubt your team's ambitions for later on
this season, right were they sort of hurdles yet to
overcome to really rally together and keep that hope alive
for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
I think initially those people dropping out, you can feel
that difference, you can feel the energy or the experience
with CJ and Somba. But I think people really stepped
up and I think we have a really consistent group
that in that framework that Bev has built that if
someone is coming off the bench or getting into that lineup,
it doesn't matter because we're we're supporting the system we're
(05:00):
playing and the people in that understanding, and I think
that just creates long term success. And I think that's
probably the biggest thing that we've tried to figure out,
is just an overall system as a group.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
How does the mindset change now you had the two
legs playoffs where you kind of knew where you were
at the halfway point. The now you just got one
game of hopefully only nineteen minutes for everyone's nerves, but
maybe a bit longer. How do you move your adjustment
back to just focusing on one game of football for
a title.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
I think even the second leg of the semi final
kind of we had that in a way. Obviously we
came from one goal deficit, so maybe that helped. And
I know, obviously we have not been in Melbourne City
so far in the season, so maybe we kind of
have that same mindset. But I think it's allly nothing
and I think just enjoy it. We've never been here
as a club, and who knows what can happen.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, it's hard to look at that record against Melbourne
City and say they're a tough team, or do you
sort of just say, hey, it's a new game, it's
a new occasion for everyone. You've got to ignore the
records against a certain team and just play.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Definitely both. They're obviously a great club and we respect
them for that, but we're also a great club, and
I think we just kind of look within and see
what we can do and figure out how we can
be a better team than especially on the day, and.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Just for yourself individually, how you're afflicting on your time
out here. It's a long way to come and play
football all the way to New Zealand, so it can't
get much further away from most other parts of the globe.
How's this season been for you?
Speaker 3 (06:17):
It's been awesome, It's it's interesting. Normally the seasons feel
really long. This one, for some reason doesn't feel as long,
and I think that's a testament to this club and
the people here and feels like home, so you don't
really want to run away from that.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
I guess you'll be feeling the support, even though most
fans are probably stuck here, but you'll be knowing that
that's behind you when you get over there.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
We have the best fans in the league, so and
even when we're on the road, if it's just tiny,
what they're the little corner of the yellow, you can
hear them, you can feel them, and I think that's
that helps us a.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Lot, save travels and absolutely all the very best. Thank
you for more from News Talks. It'd be listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
wherever you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
Six days on from that thrilling come from behind semi
final win in front of home fans at Potty to
a Park. As you just heard there, the Wellington Phoenix
look to create even more history in the A League
and deliver the club its first piece of silverware. Now,
if you add the men's and women's seasons up over
the years at the Phoenix, there have been nineteen for
(00:21):
the men, five for the women. That's twenty four seasons
of football and finally the chance to play in a
Grand final for an A League title. Yep, the very
first Grand Final appearance in the A League by any
New Zealand team. The Wellington Phoenix versus Melbourne City tonight
(00:41):
six point fifteen our time from Melbourne's Amy Park. What
a night a hit. But first some pre match comments
from the Phoenix coach Bev Priestman. As you know, someone
with a huge and experienced footballing CV, here were her
thoughts on what this occasion means to the Phoenix as
a club.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Club deserves this moment, you know, I think five years
in the making. I'm really excited to see the club
and the players. You know, someone particularly like a Mac
who's been you know, pushing for five years to get
to this point. I think for us we have to
go in and enjoy the moment, but not enjoy you
too much. I think we have to stick to the process,
stick to the things that have got us here. But
(01:21):
at the same time, I think, you know, when we
enjoy ourselves, we play our best football. So I think
it'll be a case of managing moments, which is what
I think finals are about. It's the team that can
manage the moments the best. But I also think, yeah,
let the team take in the moment, enjoy the moment,
and hopefully we can deliver on our one hundredth games
something really really special for this club.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Yeah, it's a one hundredth game as well as a
footballing team, the Phoenix Woman. So yeah, wouldn't it be
extra special to like to mark that with a win
over in Melbourne. Well, I popped along to the airport
as the Phoenix were flying out during the week. There
was a lot of excitement and one of the many
players that has contributed so well to this team this
year is the American import center back Alie Walker. I've
(02:04):
got Allie's thoughts on what lies ahead. Tell us how
the last few days have been I guess absorbing the
amazing scenes from Body to a Park last Sunday, and
I guess having to park that up to put full
focus into a huge game this weekend.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
I think the probably the biggest emotion one obviously this
club's never been to the Grand Final, but also I
think just kind of realizing that we came from a deficit.
Doing that at home amazing, but it's like, oh wait,
we still got more to do, you know. So I
think it was going through those emotions, feeling that high,
but then getting right back to work.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
And you've had you know a lot of footballings at
Scarce and some big competitions around the world, But when
you see teenage teammates here in New Zealand that are
doing stuff like this for the very first time, how's
that been? Kind of being all part of it together.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I think the A League also has a unique setup
where you do get this playoff kind of grand final
thing at the end, which not many leagues do that.
So I think that's a cool thing in itself that
I've never got to experience. But I think it's cool
we're all kind of feeling at the same time. I
think obviously Brucknan has done this at her former club,
but we're all kind of filling it together. But I
(03:05):
think it's really cool to have our young girls and
even the ones that have been doing this for such
a long time, feel that feel this experience.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
How early on in your time at the Phoenix, did
you think, right, this is a team that could genuinely
play for the title this year.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I think just seeing the signings, seeing what Bev was
building here. I mean, obviously we had a lot of
injuries throughout this season, and I think maybe for a
second that would be oh no, But I think we've
really we have a team that's on the same page,
and I think that's super important. And what built Bev
is building here is kind of undeniable, and I think
whether it's not really based on the result, it's what's
(03:40):
within this club, within this group, that kind of that's
the that's the thing, you know, And a lot.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Of people would say at the start of the season, right, well,
the Finks have got BEV coaching, they should win the title.
But how's she been behind closed doors parts of you know,
how she coaches that we might not see from the outside.
What she offered to this group in maybe you individually too.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I think she picks up each player where they are.
So we obviously have a seventeen year old, we have
people in their thirties, people that are later in their career.
But I think it takes a talent to have so
many different people but make one picture. And I think
that's what Bev is great at doing and what she's
done throughout the season, and that's people coming in and
(04:17):
out of that picture, and squad's changing every now and then.
But I think when you can build something that with
stands no matter who you have, that's something special.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
And I mentioned there's been times through the season with
some of your top players. You know, some are at
the start, CJ becoming unavailable in things where it would
be easy to doubt your team's ambitions for later on
this season, right were they sort of hurdles yet to
overcome to really rally together and keep that hope alive
for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
I think initially those people dropping out, you can feel
that difference, you can feel the energy or the experience
with CJ and Somba. But I think people really stepped
up and I think we have a really consistent group
that in that framework that Bev has built that if
someone is coming off the bench or getting into that lineup,
it doesn't matter because we're we're supporting the system we're
(05:00):
playing and the people in that understanding, and I think
that just creates long term success. And I think that's
probably the biggest thing that we've tried to figure out,
is just an overall system as a group.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
How does the mindset change now you had the two
legs playoffs where you kind of knew where you were
at the halfway point. The now you just got one
game of hopefully only nineteen minutes for everyone's nerves, but
maybe a bit longer. How do you move your adjustment
back to just focusing on one game of football for
a title.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
I think even the second leg of the semi final
kind of we had that in a way. Obviously we
came from one goal deficit, so maybe that helped. And
I know, obviously we have not been in Melbourne City
so far in the season, so maybe we kind of
have that same mindset. But I think it's allly nothing
and I think just enjoy it. We've never been here
as a club, and who knows what can happen.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, it's hard to look at that record against Melbourne
City and say they're a tough team, or do you
sort of just say, hey, it's a new game, it's
a new occasion for everyone. You've got to ignore the
records against a certain team and just play.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Definitely both. They're obviously a great club and we respect
them for that, but we're also a great club, and
I think we just kind of look within and see
what we can do and figure out how we can
be a better team than especially on the day, and.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Just for yourself individually, how you're afflicting on your time
out here. It's a long way to come and play
football all the way to New Zealand, so it can't
get much further away from most other parts of the globe.
How's this season been for you?
Speaker 3 (06:17):
It's been awesome, It's it's interesting. Normally the seasons feel
really long. This one, for some reason doesn't feel as long,
and I think that's a testament to this club and
the people here and feels like home, so you don't
really want to run away from that.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
I guess you'll be feeling the support, even though most
fans are probably stuck here, but you'll be knowing that
that's behind you when you get over there.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
We have the best fans in the league, so and
even when we're on the road, if it's just tiny,
what they're the little corner of the yellow, you can
hear them, you can feel them, and I think that's
that helps us a.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Lot, save travels and absolutely all the very best. Thank
you for more from News Talks. It'd be listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
wherever you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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