November 2, 2025 • 42 mins
Jason Pine and Michael Burgess review the latest action in the A-League men's competition.
A late goal from Louis Verstraete gives Auckland FC a 2-1 win over Adelaide United, a side they'd never previously beaten, and sends them to the top of the table.
Meantime, Wellington Phoenix also stay unbeaten after a 1-1 draw away at the Central Coast Mariners, setting up a mouth-watering first New Zealand derby on Saturday night.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Football Fever, the podcast keeping you up to date with
the beautiful game with the voice of football Jason Paine,
and ends in Herald's Michael Burgess cowed by News Talk
ZBB Welcome to the Football Fever.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The end of another round of the A League Men's Competition.
Round three is in the books, with both Auckland FC
and Wellington Phoenix remaining unbeaten first and fourth on the
table ahead of the first derby of the season coming
up on Saturday night. We might even start there, Birch
Welcome and by the way, how much you're looking forward
to the derby in six nights from now or whenever
(00:33):
it is.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
There's the things pin it. That's the thing. Like I
think the way you say it six nights is like
a kid at Christmas. It really is. This is this
is Star Wars, Indana Jones or rolled into one. For me,
it just doesn't get I don't know why I get
so excited about it. I guess because we waited so
long to have two teams and then we got two teams,
and then the reaction just was way beyond what anyone expected,
(00:57):
and so it's just so much to look forward to.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We'll look forward to it once we've analyzed these two
games over the weekend involving the participants. Can we start
on Saturday afternoon at go Media. Auckland FC two Adelaide
United one. First time Auckland FC have beaten Adelaide United
after the two high octane draws last season two to
two and four four. Thought we're hitd of that way
one all approaching the eightieth minute before Loui have Estrata
(01:22):
scored the goal that decided the contest a fair result,
booge Did Auckland f C deserve to win the game?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Oh definitely, Yeah, they were. They were the better team.
They had, they had more chances, They had the better chances.
I thought Steve Cracan made a good point in this
press conference where he said the Aukland f C probably
should have been more comfortable at halftime, but Adelaide were good.
Adela were really good the way they came back in
the second half. And I don't know what you were thinking,
(01:50):
but it was getting quite nervy for Aukland f C.
The port. You could sort of feel people thinking, geez,
they've conceded. This game could go either way.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yeah. The goal before halftime from Luki y Ivanovitch for
Adelaide United completely changed the complexion for me. I think
if they'd gone and at won lil Up, there would
have been a degree of comfort that you know, we've
seen off everything Adelaide have thrown at us, We've got
our lead, we know how to hold a lead. But yeah,
that goal kind of put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Abo and I thought Adelaide with a better site for
the first ten to fifteen minutes of the second half,
(02:21):
And you're right, there was a real mood change inside
the ground where people were starting to edge towards the
edge of their seats and think, Wow, good, Adelaide actually
come here and win this game. I can't remember them
creating a heck of a lot that troubled Michael Vaud.
But at the other end, I'm not sure auckland f
Seat created much before the Strata's goal either, did they?
Speaker 3 (02:43):
No, not really. I mean it was more they I
guess you'd put it. They were creating promising opportunities, you know,
moments where it looked like they got four and two
here or they're away here without having that moment of
quality to actually execute a real chance. But it was
just fascinating the way the game opened up so much
as well. It really stretched out in the second half
(03:04):
and it became quite entertaining. But there was the thing
people were sitting there thinking, geez, this team only lost
one regular season game at home all season last year.
Surely can't happen this early, but there was that definite
sense that it might.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Sam Cosgrove, he got his goal. We talked about him
last week on the pod and the week before on
the podcast. I weight off his shoulders. I'm sure having
scored his first A League men's goal. Was he coppying
a bit of stick from some of the fans in
the first twenty minutes or so? Yeah, he was.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I mean, nothing big or serious, but I just noticed
there were some fans sitting close to the media box
and just a couple of years when he would lose
a ball, a couple of comments. I had one guy
yell out, Hey, what he say said, go back to Aberdeen,
go back to the level you belong. You know, Watch
(03:59):
for New Zealand is quite strong, but it shows what
football crowds can be like, especially with strikers. I think.
So that was quite harsh and obviously, like you say,
weight off the shoulders is the biggest thing with the goal,
but it feels like the jury is still out. Would
that be accurate?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Absolutely, absolutely accurate, because apart from the goal and a
couple of other sort of I don't even want to
call them half chances because they weren't really I'm not
sure that he is yet utterly convincing, and we spoke
about it last week. I just wonder what the future
is for Logan Rogerson. If Sam Cosgrove is to be
(04:39):
persevered with and Steve Coriker has shown himself to be
a loyal coach when it comes to players and formations,
then I wonder what Logan Rogerson's role to play in
this team is because he's had to be content and
that is the wrong word with appearances off the bench.
I think Jesse Randall's playing very well and we can
get to him in a moment. Lockie Brooks, youmo, I
(05:01):
think if Sam Crosgrove continues to be below what is
expected of him, then I think there's a case at
some stage anyway to move away from him and go
to something like my Brook Randall Rogerson.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I mean, Logan's certainly got no for a goal, hasn't
He showed that last year with what was it eight
nine goals and a lot of really crucial goals as well,
and that could become an option. I think the thing
with Cosgrover is they will be patient. It's only been
three matches, and to be fair, it's been three intense
matches against three really good teams. You know, let's see
what he can do against some teams, you know, further
(05:40):
down the ladder with defenses not quite as good, So
got to give him a bit of time. But he
just looks a bit a bit nervous still. You see
some of his touches, some of his passes, they're a
bit short. It reminds me of a putter and golfer
who puts are a bit short. So he's not really
going for the whole. It's sort of got that feeling
about him and when it starts to flow, you hope
(06:01):
it works. But it's just all a bit out of
sync as well with his teammates. But they have got
a new front four. But yeah, a great point of it, Rogerson,
because no one's moving Jesse Randall in a hurry, so
it's a weird as logan for then.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, I mean we can reconvene on Sam Cosgrove at
the back end of November. The Phoenix next obviously in
the Derby, then Brisbane at home and Newcastle at home.
So you talk about teams who perhaps haven't been quite
as impressive to start the season. There's two there, so
maybe we you know, we wait and you're right, Steve
Cricker will will persist with Sam Cosgrove. I'm almost certain
of it. Jesse Randall, he's just growing in confidence, isn't he.
(06:37):
You know, he had some really good looks at goal
on the weekend. One shot just wide from an almost
identical position from which he scored against Western Sydney, hit
one straight at Josh Smit's the goalkipe, but then a
really good saved by Smith's to push another one up
onto the crossbar. It was says header that crashed into
the post that rebounded for the Strata's goal that settled
(06:57):
the match. Energetic. Yeah, he just he just seems to
have gone up a notch or two this year.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Burg He doesn't. Talking to people around the club, they
tell me that, you know, even his his demeanor has
confidence off the field. He's speaking up in team meetings.
He's much more I don't know much more assured around
the squad because also new from last year, so that
sort of stuff is always good to hear. And it's
(07:24):
just such positive signs because he just makes things happen.
He's very lively. Things seem to happen around him. So
you know, he's obviously going place, and he's twenty three,
but he still feels like a kid because we haven't
seen much of him. He's obviously going places. Although I
have heard, let's wait and see, I have heard that
he might not be in the All White squad which
(07:44):
comes out later this week, which which would surprise me
because I think he's a guy that you got to
you got to keep having a look at. But overall,
he's he's become real, a real bonus option for Steve Carriker.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Absolutely, and I think is playing as well as we
have seen. We've always known that Jesse Randall is a
good footballer. The question was whether he could make the
step up to A league, and not just the step up,
but to consistently play well in the A league, to
create chances to score goals, and look he is in
and around, you know, goal scoring areas. He'll keep his
(08:21):
place Steve Coricker, like I said, we'll stick with players
who were doing the job for him. So at the
moment you have to say, Jesse Randall's ahead of Logan
Rogers in the mind of Steve Coricker. It may be
the reverse for Darren Baseley. Who knows whether the Logan
is in that team, if Jesse isn't, or if they're
both not there or both there or whatever it might be,
but it is. You know, if we talk about the
national team, there's you know, there's there's a bit of
(08:43):
competition in those attacking roles from players playing elsewhere as well.
But yeah, other players to impress. You know, Jake Brimmer,
we spoke about him last week. He again is you know,
a real driving force in this team. Looks hungry and
Dan Hall, I mean, just a very important part of
(09:03):
this team, isn't he Dan Hall, especially with nander Pinik
still coming back. With though Jake Goodwood Ryk has been good.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
They're both been good, but you just feel, I don't know,
you just feel so so safe with him there at
the back. You know, It's like when you're a kid
and you're lost in the supermarket and then you walk
around the corner and you see your mom, you know,
sort of that feeling. He's just so.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Great analogy I love.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
It's just so reassuring with him there, all presence, all purpose,
and there was a moment in the second half where
he actually was sort of sprinted out of the defense
and sort of urging. I think Logan had the ball,
urging the team forward, urging the midfielders forward, saying hey,
let's attack, let's get out of here. So he's become
(09:46):
a real leader in this team, and he's absolutely vital,
isn't he, especially in the big games?
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Hiroki Sakai. This was probably the one downside to the
afternoon for Auckland FC to see their skipper, their talisman,
you know, their best player in the eyes of many,
limping off with the hamstring straight after fourteen minutes. That
would have furrowed the brow of Steve Coriker and a
large portion of the fan base. Callen Elliott very serviceable football,
(10:13):
a very good footballer, came on and did a job,
a straight swap and never lets you down. But Hierarchi
Sarki is Hiroki Sarki and hamstrings are always hard to judge. Burge,
aren't they know? Are they a two? Week proposition, are
they a month long? You're never really sure when to
come back. Hiroki Sarki is a bit older now, so
maybe his powers of recovery aren't quite as good as
they were. He'll almost certainly missed the derby. In fact,
(10:34):
I think Steve Kreaker said he will miss the Derby.
How long he's out for remains to be seen. How
big a loss is.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
He huge, huge, With all respect to Elliott who, as
you say, is excellent, but he's huge. He's just he
just provides so much leadership, composure, his vision and his
moments equality. We've all seen his moments equality. I remember
you saying, actually when the awards have last year and
(11:00):
you said GiMA Mai got Player of the Year, but
you said he had a fantastic season, but you couldn't
understand why Sakai didn't get Player of the Year. And
I felt the same. He's just he's just invaluable and
he'll be so hard to replace in so many ways.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Yeah, so Kellen Elliott, I guess is looking forward to
a run in the squad. And like I say, last
year when he came in when Sarki was out, or
when they went to a slightly different formation with three
in central defense and Elliott on that in that right
wing back spot he never lets you down, never ever,
and a chance for him to push his all Whites
claims as well, especially with Tim Pain currently injured in
(11:40):
that right back spot up for grabs. So I guess
Sarka's you know, misfortune as an opportunity for Callen Elliott.
Did you think I'm interested in your view on Adelaide's goal.
I've had to look back at this this morning just
in preparation because I didn't want to think that my
eyes were deceiving me. But when Luka Ivanovitch gets that
(12:00):
outside the penalty area, there are four Auckland FC defenders
around him and another two in close proximity. When the
ball goes into the net, Luki Ivanovitch is in the area, obviously,
Michael Vowd and six Auckland FC players are also in
the penalty area. So how's he scored the goal?
Speaker 3 (12:20):
That's daggering, jeezus six it's it was a fantastic finish,
a lovely run the way wriggled plast players. But Auckland
f C did something I've hardly ever seen them do before.
They just all stopped. They just all lost concentration, switched
off whatever. It was close to halftime. And when you're
(12:42):
talking about the players who did it, you know Australia
was right there, Dan Hall was there, other players around him.
It was so uncharacteristic of Auckland.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
F C.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Craker was fuming on the touch line when it happened.
As he pointed out later, they'd played so well in
the first half, so it was just it's just a
moment unusual. But you know it was at a chink
in the armor. Probably not, but it was crazy to see.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
It feels like an outlier to me. It was so unusual.
You're right. It was almost as if they hurt a
whistle or something. There wasn't a whistle, but you're right,
they just just for a second, they just kind of stopped.
And Luki Ivanovitch isn't going to need a second invitation.
He's a good young player and through he went and
finished really well past Michael Vowed. So yeah, just a
little just a little work on perhaps and something I'm
(13:27):
sure that will be showing back to those players during
the week so that they're well aware of their responsibilities.
Another couple of points Philippa Guy Goss his first minutes
of the season off the bench, just the last seven
or so for Jake Brimmer. Yeah, I think Brimmer probably
holds his place with for Strata for the Derby. I
don't think on the evidence of seven minutes that Guy
Goss gets a start this coming weekend.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Is he? No? No, almost certainly not. Brim has been
going well, as you said before. He just looks really
hungry this year. You know, he had a difficult season
last year, but it's the old real point to prove
for a marquee signing. This season, Filipel get his chance
and he's handy to have there. But you couldn't see
him starting in Wellington. No.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Nando Piniccer also played for the Auckland f CE reserves yesterday,
so he is back on the grass again. I cannot
see it a scenario under which he supplants Jake Goodwood write,
who's been very good, alongside Dan Hall, who of course
we know is going to be there. The Hall Pinaker
partnership last year was excellent. But I guess you know,
if history shows us anything it's that Steve Coriku sticks
(14:29):
with what's going well and there's no reason to drop.
Jake Good would write just because Nando Pinick is coming back,
and a word on lockey Brook as well. He played
the entire game after learning of the death overnight of
his grandfather. A very good outing for Lochland Brook. I
thought he was a standout for the Black Knights and
noticeably emotional at the end. So I thought some best
(14:50):
wishes with the family of lockey Brook. Just to finish
on Auckland FC, Birge as you messaged me this morning.
It's just their happy knack of finding a way they
know how to win football matches. This team they do.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
It's just it's just something embedded in their in their
DNA and their culture at the moment and not the moment,
since the start of their existence really since that, since
that Sydney game in the second match of last season
when Nanda gets to back Hill, you know, they just
keep finding it a way to do it when that
game could have easy ended a draw, you know, but
(15:23):
they got up. They did it. They did it so
many times last season. So many other clubs would love
to have it, and they've got it.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Yep, they've got it, and they've got top spot on
the A League table after three matches good balls.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Ever with Jason pay and mikel Burgers.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
And so to last night's game for the Wellington Phoenix
away at the Mariners in Gosford. Wellington Phoenix won Central
Coast Mariners won. The Phoenix remain unbeaten. Five points. Actually
is their second best three games start in terms of
points in the last ten seasons. So you know, they're
not typically good starters. In fact, sometimes they're terrible starters
(15:59):
to a league season, but they're unbeaten. Good game. I
thought they should have won. I thought they should have
won the game. They had enough opportunities, particularly in the
first half, to win the game. Does this feel like
two points dropped?
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Definitely. It's good performance, like a lot of so many
positives will get into but a very frustrating result because
when you go eat after five minutes, when you have
that amount of chances, when you play as well as
you do, you need to come away over the three points.
By the way, the best three game start was that
Mark Rudin.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
No, it was the one two seasons ago when they
went all the way to the preliminary final. They had
seven points after three games in that season. So yeah,
under Rudin, and that was the first season under Ufuk Talay.
They lost their first four games and they went on
to be very good after that. But I remember Stephen
(16:52):
Taylor saying that an Australian journalist asked him after the
fourth defeat, what does it feel like to be the
captain of the worst team in Phoenix history? And Steven
Taylor said to them, well, let's have a chat when
April May roll around and has it ap But it
was okay, But yeah, it's a good solid start. Twenty
two shots for the Phoenix. Look, I talked about Auckland
FC last week having eighteen shots and only scoring one goal,
(17:15):
so I have to talk about the Phoenix having twenty
two shots, eight of them on target and only scoring once.
This is this is absolutely an opportunity lost for the Phoenix.
And Andrew Redmain was tremendous in goal for the Mariners,
man and the match for them. Some massive saves, most
notably from Carlo Armiento and the second half who look
(17:36):
for all the world as though, who's going to score
us third goal in three games and give the Phoenix
a two to one lead. But yeah, they will look back,
they'll rue the missed chances but at least they're being creative.
They just seen Burgess though they've got a bit more
confidence about them than last season when a lot of
what we had to endure was pretty turgid stuff.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
I love what I'm seeing attacking wise in that match.
I mean the way they're moving the ball, the confidence,
the movement, it's it's what fans have been wanting for
for quite a while. Still there's there's much more to improve,
but I think I think the signs are good Redmain.
It feels like someone at Redmain. I mean, he's probably
the best keeper in the league now with Alex Paulson
(18:18):
not around, and maybe he carries an intimidation factor as well.
He's certainly hard to get past. But yeah, they'll still
they'll be watching. They'll be doing the review today Sunday
or Monday and wondering how they didn't score another goal.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Before the season started. We always look at the new players,
and I know the jury was well and truly out
on the fine ise and what he would bring. And
the guy said he might get your two goals, he
might get your fifteen. Well he's got two in the
first three games. He has been coming to me. Burch
A very very interesting proposition.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Well, I just think he's a kind of player that
opposities and coaches will worry about, and that that's always
the first thing I think of that That means he's
he's going to be a potential whip. And you know,
still Kraka will be preparing things for the derby around
him because he's got he's got some threats about him.
I like the way he moves are like his pace,
(19:09):
like his confidence. And we're only three games in, but
you know, if we we're tracking on the sort of
Cosgrove is a meter you know, is there to be
quite for a hid one at the moment in terms
of impact.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
It would, and just what he does as well, just
the different places he pops up. You look at the
game and all of a sudden he's got it out
on the left wing, or he's dropped a bit deep,
or or he is playing center ford or whatever. I
don't see that from Sam Cosgrove, And that's obviously tactical,
but I think Chief's probably thought, okay, well, there's a
you know, not a free role necessarily, but I'm okay
if you go wandering a bit, if it creates uncertainty,
(19:43):
I think with co and if you should, we shouldn't
really compare them, but I think we can because they
do lead the line for both of their sides. I
think with Sam Cosgrove, you know what you're going to get.
I think you know you're going to get a physical presence.
So as good at set peace time, who's going to
try and hold the ball up with his back to
goal is a I think you get a lot more
tricks in the locker. That's probably mixing metaphors. But he's
(20:07):
got a bit more about him, you know, And as
you say, he casts doubt into the minds of opposition
defenders and coaches who have to legislate a lot more
for him. For me, it's one of the biggest matchups
of the Derby this coming Saturday is Dan Hall against
e fine Is. I think whoever wins that battle will
(20:27):
go a long way to being in the winning changing
room afterwards.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
That's a good point. That's a fantastic matchup and a
can hurt you in different ways. We saw the chance,
the route one chance where he put it past the post.
We see the tricky stuff around the edge of the area.
We see the royal pace. I don't know I don't
know what the yellow fever verdict on him and so far,
(20:52):
but i'd imagine they're pretty happy.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I think so. I mean, two goals in three games,
it's you know, I think they'll be cheering him on
set of to score some more. He also strikes he's
a bit of a cult sort of figure, isn't he.
You know, as you said last week, you've got to
really love your football if you player in Iraq, you know,
it's right goodness, what.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
A place to go. You know. That's why people laughed
at that. But I was like, well, if he's gone,
there's you're really driven, you know. So yeah, I thought
it was an incredible story.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Yeah, Man Draker James not there. Understand he had a
bit of a quad problem in training, so hopefully it's
just one of those one week things. It did allow
Isaac Hughes to come back in, but if James isn't
there for the derby, I think that's a big loss
he to me, and we're talking about matchups. The man
Draker James Sam Cosgrove matchup to me is also very
(21:50):
important and the Phoenix don't quite have that physical presence
at the back do they Without big man Draker James
in the center of their defense.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
I'd be very worried if he's not there for the
kind of game that Auckland play. James already looks like
the leader of that back line, doesn't he the way
he the way he communicates his presence, the big body,
So he's got to be back. He's vital for them.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
I thought swin lok ad a good game, starting debut
at right wing, back to Painter calls out for an
extended period with that shoulder injury. I like the look
of schwin Loak, and he was involved in the goal.
The ball from roof for Acrosta to where he was
advancing up the right. He brought it down, he kept
it and he pulled it back for Finrol Conchi and
the shot was saved, but as I tucked it. And
I liked the look of swin Loak, and I think
(22:35):
obviously getting a decent run will help Hadecki. Ishiga is
another injury concern. He came off after the eighteenth or
in the eighteenth minute after a pretty robust challenge from
Harrison Steel underd Cassidy. Debut and nineteen year old. He
was pretty good on debut. I actually finroal Conchi is
another interesting one to me. I think he had a
(22:56):
very good It was a World Cup Under Under twenty
World Cup a couple of years ago, and I remember
thinking at the time he's got a bit about him.
This kid, he could be something, and it's never really
happened for him at Wellington Phoenix. But now he's got
the opportunity with Paulo retre Out and Nagasawa playing a
slightly different position to play in that duel six with
Alex Rufah. I quite like what I'm seeing from Finn
(23:18):
ola Conchi early in this season.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I think the thing with Finn was that the headlines
and the hype came a bit too early off that
back of that World Cup. There's a lot of talk
about him and we probably all write stories about him,
and it sort of came before he had achieved too
much and that's always difficult. So maybe he came in
wanting to make a big impression and then, let's face it,
(23:40):
last season was so difficult for a young guy trying
to find his way in the A League, in the
way the Phoenix are going. But yeah, I mean it's
he's got a big role, hasn't he like you look
at all, have see the and't have kids in that role.
Chief he does. But it was his best game so far.
(24:01):
H on the weekend.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Shame to see him go off at halftime, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
Yeah, it was. It was No, he's he's talented.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
It was an interesting incident about fifteen minutes from the
end where Harrison Steele, who had put the tackle in
on a Shiga in the first half and I think
a few people thought he was quite likely to escape
a booking, was given a booking after lashing out at
Kazuki Nagasawa, sort of not quite as as blatant as
the ISA won last week, which we talked about at length.
(24:28):
And actually, Birch, I thought of you because you've said,
you know that you think the red card threshold's too low.
So if you're allowed to get a bit lashy out
and sort of you know, swinging arm and someone, and
that's okay. I'm actually okay with it as long as
it's okay in every game.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
I don't know. Yeah, red cards threshold and penalty threshold.
Don't get me a started on penalties, but yeah, I
mean let's not let's not go too far and they
have to keep to what we've always known, but red
cards need to be for something something really serious as
the preference.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Just before you look at the Derby other round three
results goal is draw between Brucebane and Melbourne City, Melbourne
victory getting a twon nold win at Perth Glory, Sydney
FC four one winners over Newcastle and a one old
draw between MacArthur and Western Sydney. So Auckland FC are
top on seven points. Sydney FC have six, both Melbourne
City and the Phoenix have five, and then a further
four teams all on four points. We are early on
(25:20):
in the season, but Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC both unbeaten.
So next up to the Derby Sky Stadium seven o'clock
Saturday night. Auckland FC won all three Derby's last season.
Who is favorite for this game? First of all, Birch.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Auckland's got to be favorite just because of the backstory.
You know, of the of the scars that've inflicted on
on Wellington. Some of the scars still be there. But
the main reason it's Auckland's favorite is the defensive strength
and the fact have played in so many of these
high pressure games. That's that's probably my one way for
the Phoenix. Aukland C. We had so many of these
(26:00):
kind of games last year and they went away to
the victory, went away to Sydney the finals. The Phoenix
haven't had too many of these kind of games because
the season just peeded out. So that's the big challenge.
Can the Phoenix step up and really bring their best.
But having settled that, it's really nicely poised. The Phoenix
are coming to this with a lot more on the
(26:23):
table than probably at any stage last season or maybe
apart from the first rby.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
I think the other thing that Auckland f C have
in their favor for me is depth. You look at
Auckland FC's bench and the players that they are able
to bring off the bench, and we talked about Logan Rogerson,
Phelippe Geygos, Liam Gillian Callen, Elliott cam Howison. These are
bench players at Auckland FC. Meantime, especially now with more injuries.
(26:49):
You're looking on Wellington Phoenix's bench and they're bringing on
debutantes Unadu Cassidy last night coming off the bench. You
know there's a couple of others on the beach who
have never played for Wellington Phoenix in the A League.
So the depth on display for Auckland f C I
think is another reason why they are probably favorites. I
think though the Phoenix I think have as good a
(27:12):
chance as they've ever had, with perhaps the exception of
the first Derby last year, of winning one of these things.
They lost them all last year. I just doesn't feel
to me as though Auckland f C have quite recaptured
their season one mojo. I think Wellington Phoenix have been
have been good so far as I say, would feel
like they dropped two points last night, but be that
as it may, I think they've shown a lot more
(27:35):
than they did last season. They seem to have worked
out the high line in terms of the perils of it.
If they could get man Dracer James back if he
is back, if AIGA somehow recovers and they perhaps get
you know, another couple of players coming back in and
they're reasonably strong in terms of their numbers. I think
(27:55):
there are decent chants on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
I agree with you. I agree with you. We've all forgotten,
you know how close that first derby was last season
and it all turned on that crazy mistake towards the
end from the goalkeeper. But it's going to be a
cauldron for auklanleft C. They haven't you know that. That's
it's a lot for them to face. They haven't had
one of these since the very start of last season.
(28:20):
Has been a long time. Phoenix had to travel twice
to Auckland's very different, so it's a big challenge for
auk Phoenix will be up for it. They've got some
weapons and they also if you look back at the games,
they didn't have a lot of luck last season either
the way they hit the crossbar in that first derby,
the way they conceded some crazy goals in both the first,
(28:41):
second and third derby, So that you know, the football
gods they probably do something. But I don't know, Piney,
how many goals do you think the Phoenix would need
to score to win this game? Because the reason I'm
asking you because I think I figured the orkle f
C is going to score at least one. Wasis got
to score two. So that's that becomes quite a quite
(29:05):
an assignment against this Aukan FC defense.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Yeah, and the charitability to score goals this year they've
got five and three games, albeit against teams that are
nowhere near as defensively sound as Auckland f C are.
We're talking Perth Glory, Brisbane Raw Central Coast Mariners. I mean, now,
those sides are anything close to what Auckland f C
can provide defensively. You know, one goal in their three
games they've conceded. I feel like the Phoenix have to
(29:30):
be brave though they cannot go into this game cautious.
They're the home team. They need to beat their chest
a little bit. They need to come out with intent.
I think they have to score the first goal because
if they do that, they put doubt in the minds
of Auckland f C, who very rarely go behind anywhere anywhere,
(29:50):
and in what could be a really hostile, i hope
anyway hostile environment for them on Saturday. It'll be a
great test for Auckland f C. Can Can they come
from behind in a high pressure situation against a team
that will be well and truly up for it. But
I just want the Phoenix to be brave. I want
them to go out there with positivity and intent. Now
(30:14):
do you think they will?
Speaker 3 (30:16):
That's a big question because last season they didn't. They
were they were quite cautious in the darbies, which is understandable,
and you could see Chief you doing that again because
they also know we don't want to concede if we
can see you know what Auckland like, they just they
score and they just hang on. But I kind of
agree with you, Wellington. They've got to go for it.
(30:37):
They've got to really put some doubt in Auckland's minds.
And if they did score first, imagine that because the
one thing that was missing last year is they never
quite got the crowd into the game. That's what it
looked like from watching on TV anyway, because there wasn't
that moment to get the crowd into the game. It
stayed at nil nil, but you get nearly goal, it's away.
And the big difference for me this season to last
season is I feel like Wellington are going to this
(30:58):
game with belief. Last season it felt like they were
just going on with hope. But this season there is
actual belief that they can do this, they can beat
this Auckland team.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
Yeah, and it's a big It's a big change in mindset,
isn't it. That is a expectation rather than hope, you know,
optimism rather than pessimism going into a game. Look, had
they won last night, their you know, their motivation or
sorry that their confidence will be even higher. But even
without the win, I think, you know, the three performances,
the way they're playing. See, they are a lot more
(31:28):
fun to watch than last season, aren't they? Without wanting
to dwell too much on the last campaign? You know,
they they all look as though they want to play
with a football. I think Carlo Armiento is is going
to be a big part of this. You know, the
guys like Armiento is a you know, they don't have
scars from last year. All they have is you know,
(31:49):
is a is a is an excitement about a derby.
Do you think there are scars? I mean josh Ola
Wamey for example, you know, does he you know, as
he's playing out from the back there on on Saturday,
does he think back three hundred and sixty five days
or whatever it is, to that era that he made
that cost them so dearly last season or not.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
I can tell you one thing, Steve Krac will be
reminding everyone this week that there are scars. I can
guarantee you that I don't know how it works with
footballers at this level, we like to focus on these
kind of things. I imagine players do move on, but
deep deep in the minds. I think sometimes with great
rivals who you lost to a few times, it could
(32:29):
you could start to get a bit of here we
go again if you miss a chance, or if you
can sede a goal. But all it'll take is a
moment a goal for Phoenix, and all those thoughts are gone.
They just need to get over that that hump, so
to speak.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
I think, for the for the neutral, if there are
any I think for the game, for the Phoenix to
score the first goal, and preferably early, I think that
just really just will make this game fizz. It'll just
add so much into it. How to Walkland respond? How
do Wellington respond? Being one nill up? Do they try
(33:05):
and get a second? Do they say, okay, well we
back ourselves to repel Cosgrove, my Rogerson, Randall, whoever it
is Brooke an attack. I just think for the narrative
of the game, an early Phoenix goal would be just
be brilliant, you know. And look, I'm whatever happens, Perge,
I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be a
(33:26):
you know, a great occasion again, I think one of
the of the season. Of course it's part of a
double header too. The Wellington Phoenix women also start their
season on Saturday against Canberra four o'clock at Sky Stadium,
the men's game at seven. A lot of anticipation around
about the Phoenix women, with a raft of new signings,
some exciting imports. BEV Priestman in charge Camberra lost their
(33:49):
opening Matchincid entered a Newcastle yesterday. We haven't had the
chance to hit about this, so maybe we can do
it now. Are you a fan of BEV Priestman being
back in back in football after the drone scandal in
Paris last year?
Speaker 3 (34:04):
No? No, I mean I could see why the Phoenix
appointed her. I think it's a great appointment, but I
just don't know if she's done her time. I just
think it was such a huge stain on the game
because it wasn't just a scandal in Paris. It was
something that had gone on for many, many games before that,
and I don't know. I just feel like if it
happened in men's football at a men's World Cup and
(34:25):
a men's Olympics, I don't know if the reaction would
have been different. I've just never heard her explain why
it happened. I've heard a lot of sort of her
talking about howd it was for her afterwards, etc. Etc.
But I'd just really liked to hear her explain why
it happened, and I really like to hear a bit
of an apology.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
Yeah, I wonder whether it was just endemic in Canadian football,
you know. I just wonder whether it was just something
that was accepted internally and she was just along for
the ride. Look, I have a slightly different view from you.
I'm an enjoying seeing her back in football. I think
if she was Football Ferns coach, that would be different.
Given the fact that it was a drone over the
top of the Football Ferns that you know that basically
(35:11):
started her downfall, I feel as though twelve months out
of the game is about right. The other part of
this burge is that if without the drone, there's no
way the Phoenix would have got anywhere near Bev Prissman
as their coach. You know, she was far too highly
credentialed to be thinking about the A League in usual
terms unusual circumstances. So the fact that she had to
(35:33):
serve this band has played into the hands of Wellington Phoenix. Look,
I get where you're coming from, and there's always going
to be division in terms of opinion on this. I've
had a chance to watch Bev and action with her team.
They clearly love the way that she is encouraging them
to play. We've arrived at this point. I think on
the field it's going to be a really really intriguing
(35:55):
season to track.
Speaker 3 (35:57):
No doubt, and it's massive for the Phoenix. It's a
massive coup you just saw with the players she attracted,
and the hopes seem real. I mean, you've been around
the team, you've been around the club, but the hopes
seem really high for what could happen. So it's it's
super exciting for this team who is still relatively new.
You know, they haven't had too many seasons, but it
(36:21):
feels like the frontier of this season they could go anywhere,
couldn't they.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Yeah, although certainly I think be better than they have
been in the past only four seasons old. Of course,
I think Paul Temple, you know, improved them from the
first two seasons, which are pretty tough. A lot of
those games played in Australia of courses are during COVID times,
but I think Paul Temple improved them, but not to
the point where they could push on to a top
six spot. I think top six is an absolute minimum,
absolute minimum for this team this year, and in fact,
(36:49):
I think that's probably a low bar. I think they're
aiming top four and high with the team that they have.
It'll be interesting to see how they go in their
first game with so much expectation. I mean, in every
other season they've gone in and there's been no real
expectation on them at all. But in this season there's
a lot of chat about a new coach of such,
you know, with such a great CV, with the indiscretion
(37:10):
obviously as an asterisk, but also the players they've brought in.
You know, there's some quality on that roster. I've just
had a quick look at the odds actually, just circling
back to the men's game while we've been speaking here.
The odds for the Phoenix Aukland f C Derby Wellington
are paying four dollars twenty five to win that game.
(37:30):
Auckland f C a dollars seventy five, the drawer at
three seventy five, So whoever's doing the odds at the
tab clearly has Auckland FC not just as favorites, but
firm favorites four dollars. I thought I was twenty five
on the Phoenix burge. I'm not a betting man, but
you know.
Speaker 3 (37:48):
That's massive odds on a football match on the home team,
that really is. I'm quite surprised about that. I guess
that reflects history and everything else, but yeah, I'm that
seems that seems a bit higher. Maybe they're trying to
attract people in, but I do think, as well, what
do you think? You know? I wonder who the people's
team is now? Who the people's team is the people
(38:10):
around New Zealand. It was the Phoenix for so long.
Auklanc come along last year. I really always fascinated to
me who the Neutrals will will be cheering for this Saturday,
because I feel like like you were saying before, for
the narrative, for the storyline, a lot of Neutrals will
want a Phoenix victory. They want it's like the Empire
(38:30):
strikes back. You know, they need a new they need
a new story here.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Yeah, it's such an interesting question and I hadn't even
thought about it, but you're right. I mean there's neutrals,
if you can call them that, who I guess, by
default for the last seventeen years before last season had
if they were football fans, they supported the Phoenix because
that's all there was. Auckland FC came along and most
people giographically associated with them jumped on to the Auckland
(38:58):
FC fan base and that's natural. But yeah, a football
fan from outside of Wellington and Auckland, who do they
barrick for? Who do they want to see? When I
don't know, I I don't know. I know we always
love a plucky underdog story and four dollars twenty five
was an underdog in anybody's book, So yeah, I think.
(39:20):
But you know, we're talking about the narrative of the season.
I think we both would like to see or would
like to see both teams do well. But these derbies
just have so much. Isn't it great to be having
them though? Burg As you said at the start, you know,
just to have these three games to really look forward
to across the season. It's Monday, can't wait for Saturday
to arrive. It is like Christmas, the week before Christmas.
Speaker 3 (39:43):
There's all, you know, we sort of said it last year, Piney,
there's not really anything like this in New Zealand sport
without getting carried away. We don't have traveling fans and
other codes. The rivalries aren't quite the same as they
used to be. So they used to be Auckland, Canterbury
and Rugby or something that or I guess super ugly
with Crusaders Chiefs, Blues Chiefs, but the cricket as well.
(40:06):
But this is this is massive. The one thing I
wonder about though, is that will there be any pretty
much sparring. Remember last season there was quite a bit
from from Chief Fee, from Corbyn Piper. I wonder if
the Phoenix a be a bit more careful this season,
not to give I mean, do you believe in that
sort of stuff, but not to give ammunition to the
opposition and talk about them in those kind of ways.
Speaker 2 (40:29):
We did here. Chief you after the game last night
he said, well, what I learned last year was that
I need to you know, I need to be a
bit more careful with my words. And I said some
things that annoyed Steve Gorricker. But then right at the
end he goes, I still believe them though they didn't
walk them back comment. I think from the players point
of view, you don't want to say something that ends
up on the opposition changing room wall. And I think
(40:50):
that's what happened to Corbyn Piper last year, complete naivety
from him. He said something along the lines if we
want to smash them, almost a throwaway line, really, you know,
and that I'm almost certain ended up in the consciousness
of Auckland FC before before the it was something I
think it was the second derby. But yeah, the players
probably not. I hope the coaches do. We you know,
(41:13):
we need these narratives and and I just just added
to the spice last year, Steve Coyriker and Gianclo Ataliano
clearly don't like each other very much, and that's okay.
I think that's fine. You know, your job isn't to
like the opposition coach. If you get on, that's fine.
You know, Chief and Ufook are very good friends. I'm
sure Steve Corocker has good friends in football as well
(41:35):
who he comes up against. But Jihn Calo Italiana and
Steve Coricker don't have to like each other. In fact,
if they don't, I think it's a better story. I
think it's a better story. Whatever happens on Saturday night
and on Saturday afternoon with the women, we will break
it all down a week from now. Great to see
your Birge. We'll do it again next Monday.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Can't wait, mate, zero
Football Fever, the podcast keeping you up to date with
the beautiful game with the voice of football Jason Paine,
and ends in Herald's Michael Burgess cowed by News Talk
ZBB Welcome to the Football Fever.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The end of another round of the A League Men's Competition.
Round three is in the books, with both Auckland FC
and Wellington Phoenix remaining unbeaten first and fourth on the
table ahead of the first derby of the season coming
up on Saturday night. We might even start there, Birch
Welcome and by the way, how much you're looking forward
to the derby in six nights from now or whenever
(00:33):
it is.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
There's the things pin it. That's the thing. Like I
think the way you say it six nights is like
a kid at Christmas. It really is. This is this
is Star Wars, Indana Jones or rolled into one. For me,
it just doesn't get I don't know why I get
so excited about it. I guess because we waited so
long to have two teams and then we got two teams,
and then the reaction just was way beyond what anyone expected,
(00:57):
and so it's just so much to look forward to.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We'll look forward to it once we've analyzed these two
games over the weekend involving the participants. Can we start
on Saturday afternoon at go Media. Auckland FC two Adelaide
United one. First time Auckland FC have beaten Adelaide United
after the two high octane draws last season two to
two and four four. Thought we're hitd of that way
one all approaching the eightieth minute before Loui have Estrata
(01:22):
scored the goal that decided the contest a fair result,
booge Did Auckland f C deserve to win the game?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Oh definitely, Yeah, they were. They were the better team.
They had, they had more chances, They had the better chances.
I thought Steve Cracan made a good point in this
press conference where he said the Aukland f C probably
should have been more comfortable at halftime, but Adelaide were good.
Adela were really good the way they came back in
the second half. And I don't know what you were thinking,
(01:50):
but it was getting quite nervy for Aukland f C.
The port. You could sort of feel people thinking, geez,
they've conceded. This game could go either way.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yeah. The goal before halftime from Luki y Ivanovitch for
Adelaide United completely changed the complexion for me. I think
if they'd gone and at won lil Up, there would
have been a degree of comfort that you know, we've
seen off everything Adelaide have thrown at us, We've got
our lead, we know how to hold a lead. But yeah,
that goal kind of put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Abo and I thought Adelaide with a better site for
the first ten to fifteen minutes of the second half,
(02:21):
And you're right, there was a real mood change inside
the ground where people were starting to edge towards the
edge of their seats and think, Wow, good, Adelaide actually
come here and win this game. I can't remember them
creating a heck of a lot that troubled Michael Vaud.
But at the other end, I'm not sure auckland f
Seat created much before the Strata's goal either, did they?
Speaker 3 (02:43):
No, not really. I mean it was more they I
guess you'd put it. They were creating promising opportunities, you know,
moments where it looked like they got four and two
here or they're away here without having that moment of
quality to actually execute a real chance. But it was
just fascinating the way the game opened up so much
as well. It really stretched out in the second half
(03:04):
and it became quite entertaining. But there was the thing
people were sitting there thinking, geez, this team only lost
one regular season game at home all season last year.
Surely can't happen this early, but there was that definite
sense that it might.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Sam Cosgrove, he got his goal. We talked about him
last week on the pod and the week before on
the podcast. I weight off his shoulders. I'm sure having
scored his first A League men's goal. Was he coppying
a bit of stick from some of the fans in
the first twenty minutes or so? Yeah, he was.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I mean, nothing big or serious, but I just noticed
there were some fans sitting close to the media box
and just a couple of years when he would lose
a ball, a couple of comments. I had one guy
yell out, Hey, what he say said, go back to Aberdeen,
go back to the level you belong. You know, Watch
(03:59):
for New Zealand is quite strong, but it shows what
football crowds can be like, especially with strikers. I think.
So that was quite harsh and obviously, like you say,
weight off the shoulders is the biggest thing with the goal,
but it feels like the jury is still out. Would
that be accurate?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Absolutely, absolutely accurate, because apart from the goal and a
couple of other sort of I don't even want to
call them half chances because they weren't really I'm not
sure that he is yet utterly convincing, and we spoke
about it last week. I just wonder what the future
is for Logan Rogerson. If Sam Cosgrove is to be
(04:39):
persevered with and Steve Coriker has shown himself to be
a loyal coach when it comes to players and formations,
then I wonder what Logan Rogerson's role to play in
this team is because he's had to be content and
that is the wrong word with appearances off the bench.
I think Jesse Randall's playing very well and we can
get to him in a moment. Lockie Brooks, youmo, I
(05:01):
think if Sam Crosgrove continues to be below what is
expected of him, then I think there's a case at
some stage anyway to move away from him and go
to something like my Brook Randall Rogerson.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I mean, Logan's certainly got no for a goal, hasn't
He showed that last year with what was it eight
nine goals and a lot of really crucial goals as well,
and that could become an option. I think the thing
with Cosgrover is they will be patient. It's only been
three matches, and to be fair, it's been three intense
matches against three really good teams. You know, let's see
what he can do against some teams, you know, further
(05:40):
down the ladder with defenses not quite as good, So
got to give him a bit of time. But he
just looks a bit a bit nervous still. You see
some of his touches, some of his passes, they're a
bit short. It reminds me of a putter and golfer
who puts are a bit short. So he's not really
going for the whole. It's sort of got that feeling
about him and when it starts to flow, you hope
(06:01):
it works. But it's just all a bit out of
sync as well with his teammates. But they have got
a new front four. But yeah, a great point of it, Rogerson,
because no one's moving Jesse Randall in a hurry, so
it's a weird as logan for then.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, I mean we can reconvene on Sam Cosgrove at
the back end of November. The Phoenix next obviously in
the Derby, then Brisbane at home and Newcastle at home.
So you talk about teams who perhaps haven't been quite
as impressive to start the season. There's two there, so
maybe we you know, we wait and you're right, Steve
Cricker will will persist with Sam Cosgrove. I'm almost certain
of it. Jesse Randall, he's just growing in confidence, isn't he.
(06:37):
You know, he had some really good looks at goal
on the weekend. One shot just wide from an almost
identical position from which he scored against Western Sydney, hit
one straight at Josh Smit's the goalkipe, but then a
really good saved by Smith's to push another one up
onto the crossbar. It was says header that crashed into
the post that rebounded for the Strata's goal that settled
(06:57):
the match. Energetic. Yeah, he just he just seems to
have gone up a notch or two this year.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Burg He doesn't. Talking to people around the club, they
tell me that, you know, even his his demeanor has
confidence off the field. He's speaking up in team meetings.
He's much more I don't know much more assured around
the squad because also new from last year, so that
sort of stuff is always good to hear. And it's
(07:24):
just such positive signs because he just makes things happen.
He's very lively. Things seem to happen around him. So
you know, he's obviously going place, and he's twenty three,
but he still feels like a kid because we haven't
seen much of him. He's obviously going places. Although I
have heard, let's wait and see, I have heard that
he might not be in the All White squad which
(07:44):
comes out later this week, which which would surprise me
because I think he's a guy that you got to
you got to keep having a look at. But overall,
he's he's become real, a real bonus option for Steve Carriker.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Absolutely, and I think is playing as well as we
have seen. We've always known that Jesse Randall is a
good footballer. The question was whether he could make the
step up to A league, and not just the step up,
but to consistently play well in the A league, to
create chances to score goals, and look he is in
and around, you know, goal scoring areas. He'll keep his
(08:21):
place Steve Coricker, like I said, we'll stick with players
who were doing the job for him. So at the
moment you have to say, Jesse Randall's ahead of Logan
Rogers in the mind of Steve Coricker. It may be
the reverse for Darren Baseley. Who knows whether the Logan
is in that team, if Jesse isn't, or if they're
both not there or both there or whatever it might be,
but it is. You know, if we talk about the
national team, there's you know, there's there's a bit of
(08:43):
competition in those attacking roles from players playing elsewhere as well.
But yeah, other players to impress. You know, Jake Brimmer,
we spoke about him last week. He again is you know,
a real driving force in this team. Looks hungry and
Dan Hall, I mean, just a very important part of
(09:03):
this team, isn't he Dan Hall, especially with nander Pinik
still coming back. With though Jake Goodwood Ryk has been good.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
They're both been good, but you just feel, I don't know,
you just feel so so safe with him there at
the back. You know, It's like when you're a kid
and you're lost in the supermarket and then you walk
around the corner and you see your mom, you know,
sort of that feeling. He's just so.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Great analogy I love.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
It's just so reassuring with him there, all presence, all purpose,
and there was a moment in the second half where
he actually was sort of sprinted out of the defense
and sort of urging. I think Logan had the ball,
urging the team forward, urging the midfielders forward, saying hey,
let's attack, let's get out of here. So he's become
(09:46):
a real leader in this team, and he's absolutely vital,
isn't he, especially in the big games?
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Hiroki Sakai. This was probably the one downside to the
afternoon for Auckland FC to see their skipper, their talisman,
you know, their best player in the eyes of many,
limping off with the hamstring straight after fourteen minutes. That
would have furrowed the brow of Steve Coriker and a
large portion of the fan base. Callen Elliott very serviceable football,
(10:13):
a very good footballer, came on and did a job,
a straight swap and never lets you down. But Hierarchi
Sarki is Hiroki Sarki and hamstrings are always hard to judge. Burge,
aren't they know? Are they a two? Week proposition, are
they a month long? You're never really sure when to
come back. Hiroki Sarki is a bit older now, so
maybe his powers of recovery aren't quite as good as
they were. He'll almost certainly missed the derby. In fact,
(10:34):
I think Steve Kreaker said he will miss the Derby.
How long he's out for remains to be seen. How
big a loss is.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
He huge, huge, With all respect to Elliott who, as
you say, is excellent, but he's huge. He's just he
just provides so much leadership, composure, his vision and his
moments equality. We've all seen his moments equality. I remember
you saying, actually when the awards have last year and
(11:00):
you said GiMA Mai got Player of the Year, but
you said he had a fantastic season, but you couldn't
understand why Sakai didn't get Player of the Year. And
I felt the same. He's just he's just invaluable and
he'll be so hard to replace in so many ways.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Yeah, so Kellen Elliott, I guess is looking forward to
a run in the squad. And like I say, last
year when he came in when Sarki was out, or
when they went to a slightly different formation with three
in central defense and Elliott on that in that right
wing back spot he never lets you down, never ever,
and a chance for him to push his all Whites
claims as well, especially with Tim Pain currently injured in
(11:40):
that right back spot up for grabs. So I guess
Sarka's you know, misfortune as an opportunity for Callen Elliott.
Did you think I'm interested in your view on Adelaide's goal.
I've had to look back at this this morning just
in preparation because I didn't want to think that my
eyes were deceiving me. But when Luka Ivanovitch gets that
(12:00):
outside the penalty area, there are four Auckland FC defenders
around him and another two in close proximity. When the
ball goes into the net, Luki Ivanovitch is in the area, obviously,
Michael Vowd and six Auckland FC players are also in
the penalty area. So how's he scored the goal?
Speaker 3 (12:20):
That's daggering, jeezus six it's it was a fantastic finish,
a lovely run the way wriggled plast players. But Auckland
f C did something I've hardly ever seen them do before.
They just all stopped. They just all lost concentration, switched
off whatever. It was close to halftime. And when you're
(12:42):
talking about the players who did it, you know Australia
was right there, Dan Hall was there, other players around him.
It was so uncharacteristic of Auckland.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
F C.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Craker was fuming on the touch line when it happened.
As he pointed out later, they'd played so well in
the first half, so it was just it's just a
moment unusual. But you know it was at a chink
in the armor. Probably not, but it was crazy to see.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
It feels like an outlier to me. It was so unusual.
You're right. It was almost as if they hurt a
whistle or something. There wasn't a whistle, but you're right,
they just just for a second, they just kind of stopped.
And Luki Ivanovitch isn't going to need a second invitation.
He's a good young player and through he went and
finished really well past Michael Vowed. So yeah, just a
little just a little work on perhaps and something I'm
(13:27):
sure that will be showing back to those players during
the week so that they're well aware of their responsibilities.
Another couple of points Philippa Guy Goss his first minutes
of the season off the bench, just the last seven
or so for Jake Brimmer. Yeah, I think Brimmer probably
holds his place with for Strata for the Derby. I
don't think on the evidence of seven minutes that Guy
Goss gets a start this coming weekend.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Is he? No? No, almost certainly not. Brim has been
going well, as you said before. He just looks really
hungry this year. You know, he had a difficult season
last year, but it's the old real point to prove
for a marquee signing. This season, Filipel get his chance
and he's handy to have there. But you couldn't see
him starting in Wellington. No.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Nando Piniccer also played for the Auckland f CE reserves yesterday,
so he is back on the grass again. I cannot
see it a scenario under which he supplants Jake Goodwood write,
who's been very good, alongside Dan Hall, who of course
we know is going to be there. The Hall Pinaker
partnership last year was excellent. But I guess you know,
if history shows us anything it's that Steve Coriku sticks
(14:29):
with what's going well and there's no reason to drop.
Jake Good would write just because Nando Pinick is coming back,
and a word on lockey Brook as well. He played
the entire game after learning of the death overnight of
his grandfather. A very good outing for Lochland Brook. I
thought he was a standout for the Black Knights and
noticeably emotional at the end. So I thought some best
(14:50):
wishes with the family of lockey Brook. Just to finish
on Auckland FC, Birge as you messaged me this morning.
It's just their happy knack of finding a way they
know how to win football matches. This team they do.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
It's just it's just something embedded in their in their
DNA and their culture at the moment and not the moment,
since the start of their existence really since that, since
that Sydney game in the second match of last season
when Nanda gets to back Hill, you know, they just
keep finding it a way to do it when that
game could have easy ended a draw, you know, but
(15:23):
they got up. They did it. They did it so
many times last season. So many other clubs would love
to have it, and they've got it.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Yep, they've got it, and they've got top spot on
the A League table after three matches good balls.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Ever with Jason pay and mikel Burgers.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
And so to last night's game for the Wellington Phoenix
away at the Mariners in Gosford. Wellington Phoenix won Central
Coast Mariners won. The Phoenix remain unbeaten. Five points. Actually
is their second best three games start in terms of
points in the last ten seasons. So you know, they're
not typically good starters. In fact, sometimes they're terrible starters
(15:59):
to a league season, but they're unbeaten. Good game. I
thought they should have won. I thought they should have
won the game. They had enough opportunities, particularly in the
first half, to win the game. Does this feel like
two points dropped?
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Definitely. It's good performance, like a lot of so many
positives will get into but a very frustrating result because
when you go eat after five minutes, when you have
that amount of chances, when you play as well as
you do, you need to come away over the three points.
By the way, the best three game start was that
Mark Rudin.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
No, it was the one two seasons ago when they
went all the way to the preliminary final. They had
seven points after three games in that season. So yeah,
under Rudin, and that was the first season under Ufuk Talay.
They lost their first four games and they went on
to be very good after that. But I remember Stephen
(16:52):
Taylor saying that an Australian journalist asked him after the
fourth defeat, what does it feel like to be the
captain of the worst team in Phoenix history? And Steven
Taylor said to them, well, let's have a chat when
April May roll around and has it ap But it
was okay, But yeah, it's a good solid start. Twenty
two shots for the Phoenix. Look, I talked about Auckland
FC last week having eighteen shots and only scoring one goal,
(17:15):
so I have to talk about the Phoenix having twenty
two shots, eight of them on target and only scoring once.
This is this is absolutely an opportunity lost for the Phoenix.
And Andrew Redmain was tremendous in goal for the Mariners,
man and the match for them. Some massive saves, most
notably from Carlo Armiento and the second half who look
(17:36):
for all the world as though, who's going to score
us third goal in three games and give the Phoenix
a two to one lead. But yeah, they will look back,
they'll rue the missed chances but at least they're being creative.
They just seen Burgess though they've got a bit more
confidence about them than last season when a lot of
what we had to endure was pretty turgid stuff.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
I love what I'm seeing attacking wise in that match.
I mean the way they're moving the ball, the confidence,
the movement, it's it's what fans have been wanting for
for quite a while. Still there's there's much more to improve,
but I think I think the signs are good Redmain.
It feels like someone at Redmain. I mean, he's probably
the best keeper in the league now with Alex Paulson
(18:18):
not around, and maybe he carries an intimidation factor as well.
He's certainly hard to get past. But yeah, they'll still
they'll be watching. They'll be doing the review today Sunday
or Monday and wondering how they didn't score another goal.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Before the season started. We always look at the new players,
and I know the jury was well and truly out
on the fine ise and what he would bring. And
the guy said he might get your two goals, he
might get your fifteen. Well he's got two in the
first three games. He has been coming to me. Burch
A very very interesting proposition.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Well, I just think he's a kind of player that
opposities and coaches will worry about, and that that's always
the first thing I think of that That means he's
he's going to be a potential whip. And you know,
still Kraka will be preparing things for the derby around
him because he's got he's got some threats about him.
I like the way he moves are like his pace,
(19:09):
like his confidence. And we're only three games in, but
you know, if we we're tracking on the sort of
Cosgrove is a meter you know, is there to be
quite for a hid one at the moment in terms
of impact.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
It would, and just what he does as well, just
the different places he pops up. You look at the
game and all of a sudden he's got it out
on the left wing, or he's dropped a bit deep,
or or he is playing center ford or whatever. I
don't see that from Sam Cosgrove, And that's obviously tactical,
but I think Chief's probably thought, okay, well, there's a
you know, not a free role necessarily, but I'm okay
if you go wandering a bit, if it creates uncertainty,
(19:43):
I think with co and if you should, we shouldn't
really compare them, but I think we can because they
do lead the line for both of their sides. I
think with Sam Cosgrove, you know what you're going to get.
I think you know you're going to get a physical presence.
So as good at set peace time, who's going to
try and hold the ball up with his back to
goal is a I think you get a lot more
tricks in the locker. That's probably mixing metaphors. But he's
(20:07):
got a bit more about him, you know, And as
you say, he casts doubt into the minds of opposition
defenders and coaches who have to legislate a lot more
for him. For me, it's one of the biggest matchups
of the Derby this coming Saturday is Dan Hall against
e fine Is. I think whoever wins that battle will
(20:27):
go a long way to being in the winning changing
room afterwards.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
That's a good point. That's a fantastic matchup and a
can hurt you in different ways. We saw the chance,
the route one chance where he put it past the post.
We see the tricky stuff around the edge of the area.
We see the royal pace. I don't know I don't
know what the yellow fever verdict on him and so far,
(20:52):
but i'd imagine they're pretty happy.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I think so. I mean, two goals in three games,
it's you know, I think they'll be cheering him on
set of to score some more. He also strikes he's
a bit of a cult sort of figure, isn't he.
You know, as you said last week, you've got to
really love your football if you player in Iraq, you know,
it's right goodness, what.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
A place to go. You know. That's why people laughed
at that. But I was like, well, if he's gone,
there's you're really driven, you know. So yeah, I thought
it was an incredible story.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Yeah, Man Draker James not there. Understand he had a
bit of a quad problem in training, so hopefully it's
just one of those one week things. It did allow
Isaac Hughes to come back in, but if James isn't
there for the derby, I think that's a big loss
he to me, and we're talking about matchups. The man
Draker James Sam Cosgrove matchup to me is also very
(21:50):
important and the Phoenix don't quite have that physical presence
at the back do they Without big man Draker James
in the center of their defense.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
I'd be very worried if he's not there for the
kind of game that Auckland play. James already looks like
the leader of that back line, doesn't he the way
he the way he communicates his presence, the big body,
So he's got to be back. He's vital for them.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
I thought swin lok ad a good game, starting debut
at right wing, back to Painter calls out for an
extended period with that shoulder injury. I like the look
of schwin Loak, and he was involved in the goal.
The ball from roof for Acrosta to where he was
advancing up the right. He brought it down, he kept
it and he pulled it back for Finrol Conchi and
the shot was saved, but as I tucked it. And
I liked the look of swin Loak, and I think
(22:35):
obviously getting a decent run will help Hadecki. Ishiga is
another injury concern. He came off after the eighteenth or
in the eighteenth minute after a pretty robust challenge from
Harrison Steel underd Cassidy. Debut and nineteen year old. He
was pretty good on debut. I actually finroal Conchi is
another interesting one to me. I think he had a
(22:56):
very good It was a World Cup Under Under twenty
World Cup a couple of years ago, and I remember
thinking at the time he's got a bit about him.
This kid, he could be something, and it's never really
happened for him at Wellington Phoenix. But now he's got
the opportunity with Paulo retre Out and Nagasawa playing a
slightly different position to play in that duel six with
Alex Rufah. I quite like what I'm seeing from Finn
(23:18):
ola Conchi early in this season.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I think the thing with Finn was that the headlines
and the hype came a bit too early off that
back of that World Cup. There's a lot of talk
about him and we probably all write stories about him,
and it sort of came before he had achieved too
much and that's always difficult. So maybe he came in
wanting to make a big impression and then, let's face it,
(23:40):
last season was so difficult for a young guy trying
to find his way in the A League, in the
way the Phoenix are going. But yeah, I mean it's
he's got a big role, hasn't he like you look
at all, have see the and't have kids in that role.
Chief he does. But it was his best game so far.
(24:01):
H on the weekend.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Shame to see him go off at halftime, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
Yeah, it was. It was No, he's he's talented.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
It was an interesting incident about fifteen minutes from the
end where Harrison Steele, who had put the tackle in
on a Shiga in the first half and I think
a few people thought he was quite likely to escape
a booking, was given a booking after lashing out at
Kazuki Nagasawa, sort of not quite as as blatant as
the ISA won last week, which we talked about at length.
(24:28):
And actually, Birch, I thought of you because you've said,
you know that you think the red card threshold's too low.
So if you're allowed to get a bit lashy out
and sort of you know, swinging arm and someone, and
that's okay. I'm actually okay with it as long as
it's okay in every game.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
I don't know. Yeah, red cards threshold and penalty threshold.
Don't get me a started on penalties, but yeah, I
mean let's not let's not go too far and they
have to keep to what we've always known, but red
cards need to be for something something really serious as
the preference.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Just before you look at the Derby other round three
results goal is draw between Brucebane and Melbourne City, Melbourne
victory getting a twon nold win at Perth Glory, Sydney
FC four one winners over Newcastle and a one old
draw between MacArthur and Western Sydney. So Auckland FC are
top on seven points. Sydney FC have six, both Melbourne
City and the Phoenix have five, and then a further
four teams all on four points. We are early on
(25:20):
in the season, but Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC both unbeaten.
So next up to the Derby Sky Stadium seven o'clock
Saturday night. Auckland FC won all three Derby's last season.
Who is favorite for this game? First of all, Birch.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Auckland's got to be favorite just because of the backstory.
You know, of the of the scars that've inflicted on
on Wellington. Some of the scars still be there. But
the main reason it's Auckland's favorite is the defensive strength
and the fact have played in so many of these
high pressure games. That's that's probably my one way for
the Phoenix. Aukland C. We had so many of these
(26:00):
kind of games last year and they went away to
the victory, went away to Sydney the finals. The Phoenix
haven't had too many of these kind of games because
the season just peeded out. So that's the big challenge.
Can the Phoenix step up and really bring their best.
But having settled that, it's really nicely poised. The Phoenix
are coming to this with a lot more on the
(26:23):
table than probably at any stage last season or maybe
apart from the first rby.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
I think the other thing that Auckland f C have
in their favor for me is depth. You look at
Auckland FC's bench and the players that they are able
to bring off the bench, and we talked about Logan Rogerson,
Phelippe Geygos, Liam Gillian Callen, Elliott cam Howison. These are
bench players at Auckland FC. Meantime, especially now with more injuries.
(26:49):
You're looking on Wellington Phoenix's bench and they're bringing on
debutantes Unadu Cassidy last night coming off the bench. You
know there's a couple of others on the beach who
have never played for Wellington Phoenix in the A League.
So the depth on display for Auckland f C I
think is another reason why they are probably favorites. I
think though the Phoenix I think have as good a
(27:12):
chance as they've ever had, with perhaps the exception of
the first Derby last year, of winning one of these things.
They lost them all last year. I just doesn't feel
to me as though Auckland f C have quite recaptured
their season one mojo. I think Wellington Phoenix have been
have been good so far as I say, would feel
like they dropped two points last night, but be that
as it may, I think they've shown a lot more
(27:35):
than they did last season. They seem to have worked
out the high line in terms of the perils of it.
If they could get man Dracer James back if he
is back, if AIGA somehow recovers and they perhaps get
you know, another couple of players coming back in and
they're reasonably strong in terms of their numbers. I think
(27:55):
there are decent chants on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
I agree with you. I agree with you. We've all forgotten,
you know how close that first derby was last season
and it all turned on that crazy mistake towards the
end from the goalkeeper. But it's going to be a
cauldron for auklanleft C. They haven't you know that. That's
it's a lot for them to face. They haven't had
one of these since the very start of last season.
(28:20):
Has been a long time. Phoenix had to travel twice
to Auckland's very different, so it's a big challenge for
auk Phoenix will be up for it. They've got some
weapons and they also if you look back at the games,
they didn't have a lot of luck last season either
the way they hit the crossbar in that first derby,
the way they conceded some crazy goals in both the first,
(28:41):
second and third derby, So that you know, the football
gods they probably do something. But I don't know, Piney,
how many goals do you think the Phoenix would need
to score to win this game? Because the reason I'm
asking you because I think I figured the orkle f
C is going to score at least one. Wasis got
to score two. So that's that becomes quite a quite
(29:05):
an assignment against this Aukan FC defense.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Yeah, and the charitability to score goals this year they've
got five and three games, albeit against teams that are
nowhere near as defensively sound as Auckland f C are.
We're talking Perth Glory, Brisbane Raw Central Coast Mariners. I mean, now,
those sides are anything close to what Auckland f C
can provide defensively. You know, one goal in their three
games they've conceded. I feel like the Phoenix have to
(29:30):
be brave though they cannot go into this game cautious.
They're the home team. They need to beat their chest
a little bit. They need to come out with intent.
I think they have to score the first goal because
if they do that, they put doubt in the minds
of Auckland f C, who very rarely go behind anywhere anywhere,
(29:50):
and in what could be a really hostile, i hope
anyway hostile environment for them on Saturday. It'll be a
great test for Auckland f C. Can Can they come
from behind in a high pressure situation against a team
that will be well and truly up for it. But
I just want the Phoenix to be brave. I want
them to go out there with positivity and intent. Now
(30:14):
do you think they will?
Speaker 3 (30:16):
That's a big question because last season they didn't. They
were they were quite cautious in the darbies, which is understandable,
and you could see Chief you doing that again because
they also know we don't want to concede if we
can see you know what Auckland like, they just they
score and they just hang on. But I kind of
agree with you, Wellington. They've got to go for it.
(30:37):
They've got to really put some doubt in Auckland's minds.
And if they did score first, imagine that because the
one thing that was missing last year is they never
quite got the crowd into the game. That's what it
looked like from watching on TV anyway, because there wasn't
that moment to get the crowd into the game. It
stayed at nil nil, but you get nearly goal, it's away.
And the big difference for me this season to last
season is I feel like Wellington are going to this
(30:58):
game with belief. Last season it felt like they were
just going on with hope. But this season there is
actual belief that they can do this, they can beat
this Auckland team.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
Yeah, and it's a big It's a big change in mindset,
isn't it. That is a expectation rather than hope, you know,
optimism rather than pessimism going into a game. Look, had
they won last night, their you know, their motivation or
sorry that their confidence will be even higher. But even
without the win, I think, you know, the three performances,
the way they're playing. See, they are a lot more
(31:28):
fun to watch than last season, aren't they? Without wanting
to dwell too much on the last campaign? You know,
they they all look as though they want to play
with a football. I think Carlo Armiento is is going
to be a big part of this. You know, the
guys like Armiento is a you know, they don't have
scars from last year. All they have is you know,
(31:49):
is a is a is an excitement about a derby.
Do you think there are scars? I mean josh Ola
Wamey for example, you know, does he you know, as
he's playing out from the back there on on Saturday,
does he think back three hundred and sixty five days
or whatever it is, to that era that he made
that cost them so dearly last season or not.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
I can tell you one thing, Steve Krac will be
reminding everyone this week that there are scars. I can
guarantee you that I don't know how it works with
footballers at this level, we like to focus on these
kind of things. I imagine players do move on, but
deep deep in the minds. I think sometimes with great
rivals who you lost to a few times, it could
(32:29):
you could start to get a bit of here we
go again if you miss a chance, or if you
can sede a goal. But all it'll take is a
moment a goal for Phoenix, and all those thoughts are gone.
They just need to get over that that hump, so
to speak.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
I think, for the for the neutral, if there are
any I think for the game, for the Phoenix to
score the first goal, and preferably early, I think that
just really just will make this game fizz. It'll just
add so much into it. How to Walkland respond? How
do Wellington respond? Being one nill up? Do they try
(33:05):
and get a second? Do they say, okay, well we
back ourselves to repel Cosgrove, my Rogerson, Randall, whoever it
is Brooke an attack. I just think for the narrative
of the game, an early Phoenix goal would be just
be brilliant, you know. And look, I'm whatever happens, Perge,
I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be a
(33:26):
you know, a great occasion again, I think one of
the of the season. Of course it's part of a
double header too. The Wellington Phoenix women also start their
season on Saturday against Canberra four o'clock at Sky Stadium,
the men's game at seven. A lot of anticipation around
about the Phoenix women, with a raft of new signings,
some exciting imports. BEV Priestman in charge Camberra lost their
(33:49):
opening Matchincid entered a Newcastle yesterday. We haven't had the
chance to hit about this, so maybe we can do
it now. Are you a fan of BEV Priestman being
back in back in football after the drone scandal in
Paris last year?
Speaker 3 (34:04):
No? No, I mean I could see why the Phoenix
appointed her. I think it's a great appointment, but I
just don't know if she's done her time. I just
think it was such a huge stain on the game
because it wasn't just a scandal in Paris. It was
something that had gone on for many, many games before that,
and I don't know. I just feel like if it
happened in men's football at a men's World Cup and
(34:25):
a men's Olympics, I don't know if the reaction would
have been different. I've just never heard her explain why
it happened. I've heard a lot of sort of her
talking about howd it was for her afterwards, etc. Etc.
But I'd just really liked to hear her explain why
it happened, and I really like to hear a bit
of an apology.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
Yeah, I wonder whether it was just endemic in Canadian football,
you know. I just wonder whether it was just something
that was accepted internally and she was just along for
the ride. Look, I have a slightly different view from you.
I'm an enjoying seeing her back in football. I think
if she was Football Ferns coach, that would be different.
Given the fact that it was a drone over the
top of the Football Ferns that you know that basically
(35:11):
started her downfall, I feel as though twelve months out
of the game is about right. The other part of
this burge is that if without the drone, there's no
way the Phoenix would have got anywhere near Bev Prissman
as their coach. You know, she was far too highly
credentialed to be thinking about the A League in usual
terms unusual circumstances. So the fact that she had to
(35:33):
serve this band has played into the hands of Wellington Phoenix. Look,
I get where you're coming from, and there's always going
to be division in terms of opinion on this. I've
had a chance to watch Bev and action with her team.
They clearly love the way that she is encouraging them
to play. We've arrived at this point. I think on
the field it's going to be a really really intriguing
(35:55):
season to track.
Speaker 3 (35:57):
No doubt, and it's massive for the Phoenix. It's a
massive coup you just saw with the players she attracted,
and the hopes seem real. I mean, you've been around
the team, you've been around the club, but the hopes
seem really high for what could happen. So it's it's
super exciting for this team who is still relatively new.
You know, they haven't had too many seasons, but it
(36:21):
feels like the frontier of this season they could go anywhere,
couldn't they.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Yeah, although certainly I think be better than they have
been in the past only four seasons old. Of course,
I think Paul Temple, you know, improved them from the
first two seasons, which are pretty tough. A lot of
those games played in Australia of courses are during COVID times,
but I think Paul Temple improved them, but not to
the point where they could push on to a top
six spot. I think top six is an absolute minimum,
absolute minimum for this team this year, and in fact,
(36:49):
I think that's probably a low bar. I think they're
aiming top four and high with the team that they have.
It'll be interesting to see how they go in their
first game with so much expectation. I mean, in every
other season they've gone in and there's been no real
expectation on them at all. But in this season there's
a lot of chat about a new coach of such,
you know, with such a great CV, with the indiscretion
(37:10):
obviously as an asterisk, but also the players they've brought in.
You know, there's some quality on that roster. I've just
had a quick look at the odds actually, just circling
back to the men's game while we've been speaking here.
The odds for the Phoenix Aukland f C Derby Wellington
are paying four dollars twenty five to win that game.
(37:30):
Auckland f C a dollars seventy five, the drawer at
three seventy five, So whoever's doing the odds at the
tab clearly has Auckland FC not just as favorites, but
firm favorites four dollars. I thought I was twenty five
on the Phoenix burge. I'm not a betting man, but
you know.
Speaker 3 (37:48):
That's massive odds on a football match on the home team,
that really is. I'm quite surprised about that. I guess
that reflects history and everything else, but yeah, I'm that
seems that seems a bit higher. Maybe they're trying to
attract people in, but I do think, as well, what
do you think? You know? I wonder who the people's
team is now? Who the people's team is the people
(38:10):
around New Zealand. It was the Phoenix for so long.
Auklanc come along last year. I really always fascinated to
me who the Neutrals will will be cheering for this Saturday,
because I feel like like you were saying before, for
the narrative, for the storyline, a lot of Neutrals will
want a Phoenix victory. They want it's like the Empire
(38:30):
strikes back. You know, they need a new they need
a new story here.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Yeah, it's such an interesting question and I hadn't even
thought about it, but you're right. I mean there's neutrals,
if you can call them that, who I guess, by
default for the last seventeen years before last season had
if they were football fans, they supported the Phoenix because
that's all there was. Auckland FC came along and most
people giographically associated with them jumped on to the Auckland
(38:58):
FC fan base and that's natural. But yeah, a football
fan from outside of Wellington and Auckland, who do they
barrick for? Who do they want to see? When I
don't know, I I don't know. I know we always
love a plucky underdog story and four dollars twenty five
was an underdog in anybody's book, So yeah, I think.
(39:20):
But you know, we're talking about the narrative of the season.
I think we both would like to see or would
like to see both teams do well. But these derbies
just have so much. Isn't it great to be having
them though? Burg As you said at the start, you know,
just to have these three games to really look forward
to across the season. It's Monday, can't wait for Saturday
to arrive. It is like Christmas, the week before Christmas.
Speaker 3 (39:43):
There's all, you know, we sort of said it last year, Piney,
there's not really anything like this in New Zealand sport
without getting carried away. We don't have traveling fans and
other codes. The rivalries aren't quite the same as they
used to be. So they used to be Auckland, Canterbury
and Rugby or something that or I guess super ugly
with Crusaders Chiefs, Blues Chiefs, but the cricket as well.
(40:06):
But this is this is massive. The one thing I
wonder about though, is that will there be any pretty
much sparring. Remember last season there was quite a bit
from from Chief Fee, from Corbyn Piper. I wonder if
the Phoenix a be a bit more careful this season,
not to give I mean, do you believe in that
sort of stuff, but not to give ammunition to the
opposition and talk about them in those kind of ways.
Speaker 2 (40:29):
We did here. Chief you after the game last night
he said, well, what I learned last year was that
I need to you know, I need to be a
bit more careful with my words. And I said some
things that annoyed Steve Gorricker. But then right at the
end he goes, I still believe them though they didn't
walk them back comment. I think from the players point
of view, you don't want to say something that ends
up on the opposition changing room wall. And I think
(40:50):
that's what happened to Corbyn Piper last year, complete naivety
from him. He said something along the lines if we
want to smash them, almost a throwaway line, really, you know,
and that I'm almost certain ended up in the consciousness
of Auckland FC before before the it was something I
think it was the second derby. But yeah, the players
probably not. I hope the coaches do. We you know,
(41:13):
we need these narratives and and I just just added
to the spice last year, Steve Coyriker and Gianclo Ataliano
clearly don't like each other very much, and that's okay.
I think that's fine. You know, your job isn't to
like the opposition coach. If you get on, that's fine.
You know, Chief and Ufook are very good friends. I'm
sure Steve Corocker has good friends in football as well
(41:35):
who he comes up against. But Jihn Calo Italiana and
Steve Coricker don't have to like each other. In fact,
if they don't, I think it's a better story. I
think it's a better story. Whatever happens on Saturday night
and on Saturday afternoon with the women, we will break
it all down a week from now. Great to see
your Birge. We'll do it again next Monday.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Can't wait, mate, zero
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