April 18, 2026 • 10 mins
Crunch time for Auckland FC's hopes of clinching back-to-back Premiers' Plates in the A-League.
The Black Knights are just kicking off against ninth-placed Central Coast at Mount Smart Stadium.
Auckland are four points off leaders Newcastle Jets, with a game in hand and needing a win or a draw sending the minor premiership title race to the final week of the regular season next week.
Auckland FC winger Lachlan Brook joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk z'b.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Are We two twenty seven. Auckland FC back in action
this afternoon, their final regular season home game up against
the Central Coast Mariners at go Media Stadium with a
three o'clock kickoff. Auckland FC need to win this game.
In fact, a draw would keep them alive, but a
win would be better to stay alive in the defense
(00:35):
of their Premier's plate. This is the regular season silverware
in the A League Men's Newcastle currently on forty five
points from twenty five games, Auckland FC are four points
behind with a game in hand. Win this game in
hand this afternoon, they'd go to forty four. They'd be
one point behind Newcastle. Both teams would have one game
(00:58):
left to play, so it would go right down to
the final weekend. Newcastle of course would have the advantage
having the one point lead, but Auckland f C can
certainly keep the pressure on with victory this afternoon. As
I say, a drawer wouldn't completely rule them out of
keeping the plate. A lost though wood so it's a
fairly important game against the Mariners this afternoon. At three o'clock.
(01:20):
Lachland Brook is a big part of Auckland FC's roster,
is going to be a big part of their finals
push and was a goal scorer a week ago. Surely
Brook won't leave this four man fit terris It is
Brods deficit from the lovel but.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
W for the top corner.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
And se level again. That was Lockeybrook scoring a week
ago for his side and a two to draw with
Melbourne victory. But let's let's bring the man in lockeye.
When you hit a ball like that, do you think
to yourself, Okay, well that's in.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
It's one of those one.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
It happens so quick, But you always when you hit
a ball, you sort of know that it's it's got
a chance. You can sort of tell when you hit
the ball with it if it's travel on the right way.
So yeah, I definitely thought it had a chance.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
And I'm just here fortunate enough.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
I went in, how much do you work on your
seat piece situations like that? How often are you working
on dead ball situations like that at training during a week?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Honestly, not too much to be fair, like maybe once
every couple of weeks, just to have a little refresher
and stuff. But I think it's more of a it's
a feeling, to be fair, like when you're doing a
free kick like a boys sort of had the same
technique with it and stuff. So you I mean, I
could probably work on it a bit more, but hopefully
(02:53):
try to get a few more of them. But yeah, no,
not as not as much as you might think.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
And were you about to be substituted. We're up in
the skybox and there was word that the number seventy
seven was going to be replaced, had you got had
you got word of that and they obviously changed their
mind after you scored.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Yeah, I'm not sure. I'm not sure to be honest.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Obviously watched back the commentary and you mentioned that, but
I wasn't too sure.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
I didn't.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
I mean, you don't really get told until your number
comes up. But yeah, no, there's potentially that was a plan.
But happy enough that it went in so I had
a few extra minutes.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Excellent, excellent. Well we turn to today and the Central
Coast Marinders this afternoon. They're you know, obviously battling to
try and even stay alive in the race for the
top six. Do you believe though, they'll present you are
a pretty decent threat this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I think any team in the A League can present
a decent threat. I think it's I mean, I think
that's the beauty of the A League. There's no easy games.
Anyone can sort of beat anyone, and I think that's
what makes I mean, if you look at the table,
I think that's what's made it so tight.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
As you know, teams are dropping points.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
You know, you say dropping points against a worse team,
but really none of the teams. Teams are bad, So
you know, teams can drop points at any time, and
it's obviously shown that this season if you look at
the table. So yeah, I think for sure that if
they're gonna present a tough challenge for.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Us, you're locked into the finals obviously. How do you
how would you describe the belief in the group right
now as you as you finish off the regular season
and then look forward to finals football.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, that's a huge belief still there has been the
whole season. Obviously, we know we've had points where we've
dropped off, and I think if you look back now
at games where we could have won, we could have
you know, maybe secured the league already, but that goes
for all the other teams as well. It's just a
part of the game, and I guess it's a part
of the league and why it's you know, I feel
like it's very entertaining to watch because any team can
(04:44):
bid anyone. So yeah, I know we're still extremely motivated
and we still know that the league's there to win,
and then yeah for finals as well.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
You know, at most we want to.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
But obviously with the top two as where we want
to have that extra week off, especially with the with
the injuries and stuff, I think it will give us
a real good chance to get some of the boys
back fitting ready.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
How much of a disruption has that been? Locky with
with players? Obviously, some of them out longer term, you know,
the likes of Francis Devrees, we don't quite know when
he's going to be back. Others like Izumo and Hiroki
who have sort of been in and out of the side.
How disruptive has that been? Nando another one obviously? Yeah,
has that been No?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Of course, I mean any injury really, it's even if
it's a player that's not you know, starting every game O.
The way that we play and I think, you know,
the way that most teams play now, the subs are
just as important, you know, they need to come on
and make a difference. And I think, you know, with
a full strength squad, we've got one of the best
squads in the league. So of course it's a it's
a big disruption. But the young lads that have come
through have been excellent. Saw the players that came on
(05:44):
Van last week, I thought was unbelievable, So you know
that the depth is there, But obviously we would like
to have, you know, going into finals, in the last
game of the seasons, everyone fit. But yeah, hopefully, hopefullfully
we do gain a few back by the start of finals,
which would be ideal.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
You mentioned Van for Terrist there Luka Vissel, which is
another one Steve Corcus had had to call on youth
to cover some of those those injuries. Did you know,
having trained with these boys, that they would be ready
for a league football if their chance came.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
They're great players and I think, you know, when you're young,
you've almost got nothing to lose, and I think that
they you know, they really stepped up and you know,
for them, it's it's really exciting I remember when I
was at that age and playing my first games.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
It's it's such a good feeling.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
So yeah, we were we were buzzing for him obviously,
you know, I mean, apart from obviously Luca made a mistake,
but these things happen, and apart from that, I thought
he was excellent throughout the whole game and whenever he's
come on, he's been great.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
So yeah, he's he's going to be He's going to
be a great player. He's got a really good.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Head on his shoulders as well, and you know, even
with that mistake, he straight away, you know, I looked
at him and he shrugged it off pretty quick and
kept playing, So you know, I think he's, Yeah, he's
going to be a great player. But yeah, it's good
to have those players that we can rely on and stuff,
and obviously, yeah, at times like this we need it.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
So it's yeah, it's great to have him.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
And you had a period of time where you're being
used as a as an impact player, coming off the bench,
back and the starting eleven. Now it feels like somewhere where, well,
I know you want to be. How determined are you
now to play a starting role for Auckland FC from
now until the Grand Final winning but the season ends.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, for sure, very very motivated to keep that spot obviously. Yeah,
I had a few weeks on the bench and yeah,
I think that I got my motivation a.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Bit more bit back then than what it was.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Maybe a bit of a kick up the backside, but yeah,
I'm definitely keen to keep the spot now.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
And you came here at the start of the season,
I'm sure highly motivated. You know, what did you sense
from the team and what do you sense now as
you do approach the home straight and you look forward
to finals, particularly some of the boys who were there
last year and didn't quite make it to the Grand Final.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Yeah, I think for those boys there's some big points
I prove obviously as well. You know, they've they've driven
out last year, so I'm sure for them it's a
personal thing as well that they want to go one
better and win it all. But yeah, for me as well,
like I have haven't won the league or won a
championship yet, and that's something you know.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
When I signed for the club that I really want
to achieve.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
So for me, yeah, it's really exciting and I'm looking
forward so hopefully doing the double, which would be great.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Well, the next point of business this afternoon against the
Mariners that go Media Stadium. Lockey always great. Chat out
to your mate, thanks for taking the call and all
the best.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
No worries, Thank you mate, appreciate it, no thank.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
You lockey lockeybrook there from Auckland FC. This afternoon they
take on the Central Coast Mariners that go Media Stadium,
as mentioned, their final regular season game of the campaign
and then into finals they go. They will definitely play
finals and Vet, I'm just going to check the table
and I don't know that they can be caught now
(08:45):
in the top two. Well theoretically they can. If they
were to lose today and lose next week, they could
drop out of the top two. A point today a
drawer would be enough to secure their place in the
top two. Why is that important because you missed the
first round of the finals or the playoffs, the postseason,
whatever you want to call it. In the A League
(09:06):
number three plays number six and four place five. Those
are elimination games. The winners of those games go forward
to home and away semis against the top two. So
Auckland FC finished top last year, they still can finished
top this year, but they'll need Newcastle to drop points. Regardless,
they'll look to lock themselves into the top two. Then
(09:26):
they'll look at home and away semis and hopefully a
Grand Final for Auckland FC. They didn't make it that
far last year. There's some deep determination inside this team
to put that right in twenty twenty five twenty six.
From the Wellington Phoenixes point of view, they finished their
home season, if you can call it that. They were
in christ Yet yesterday for a home away from home game.
(09:47):
They finished it in style. They beat the Western Sydney
Wanderers two to one in the last ever game of
any code at an elite level anyway, at Apollo Project Stadium.
They won two to one. That kept them alive, but
only until Melbourne City played Brisbane in the game immediately following,
and unfortunately for the Phoenix it was Melbourne City who
(10:08):
won that game and therefore moved beyond the reach of
Wellington Phoenix. So the highest the Phoenix can finish seventh.
Only the top six make it through. So they'll play
their final game away at MacArthur this coming Friday, and
that'll be the end of the season for Wellington Phoenix,
but certainly some promising signs at the back end of
this season since the arrival of Chris Greenacre as interim
(10:30):
head coach for now, you'd have to think that at
some stage in the next little while he will be
offered the gig full time.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk z'b.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Are We two twenty seven. Auckland FC back in action
this afternoon, their final regular season home game up against
the Central Coast Mariners at go Media Stadium with a
three o'clock kickoff. Auckland FC need to win this game.
In fact, a draw would keep them alive, but a
win would be better to stay alive in the defense
(00:35):
of their Premier's plate. This is the regular season silverware
in the A League Men's Newcastle currently on forty five
points from twenty five games, Auckland FC are four points
behind with a game in hand. Win this game in
hand this afternoon, they'd go to forty four. They'd be
one point behind Newcastle. Both teams would have one game
(00:58):
left to play, so it would go right down to
the final weekend. Newcastle of course would have the advantage
having the one point lead, but Auckland f C can
certainly keep the pressure on with victory this afternoon. As
I say, a drawer wouldn't completely rule them out of
keeping the plate. A lost though wood so it's a
fairly important game against the Mariners this afternoon. At three o'clock.
(01:20):
Lachland Brook is a big part of Auckland FC's roster,
is going to be a big part of their finals
push and was a goal scorer a week ago. Surely
Brook won't leave this four man fit terris It is
Brods deficit from the lovel but.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
W for the top corner.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
And se level again. That was Lockeybrook scoring a week
ago for his side and a two to draw with
Melbourne victory. But let's let's bring the man in lockeye.
When you hit a ball like that, do you think
to yourself, Okay, well that's in.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
It's one of those one.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
It happens so quick, But you always when you hit
a ball, you sort of know that it's it's got
a chance. You can sort of tell when you hit
the ball with it if it's travel on the right way.
So yeah, I definitely thought it had a chance.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
And I'm just here fortunate enough.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
I went in, how much do you work on your
seat piece situations like that? How often are you working
on dead ball situations like that at training during a week?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Honestly, not too much to be fair, like maybe once
every couple of weeks, just to have a little refresher
and stuff. But I think it's more of a it's
a feeling, to be fair, like when you're doing a
free kick like a boys sort of had the same
technique with it and stuff. So you I mean, I
could probably work on it a bit more, but hopefully
(02:53):
try to get a few more of them. But yeah, no,
not as not as much as you might think.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
And were you about to be substituted. We're up in
the skybox and there was word that the number seventy
seven was going to be replaced, had you got had
you got word of that and they obviously changed their
mind after you scored.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Yeah, I'm not sure. I'm not sure to be honest.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Obviously watched back the commentary and you mentioned that, but
I wasn't too sure.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
I didn't.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
I mean, you don't really get told until your number
comes up. But yeah, no, there's potentially that was a plan.
But happy enough that it went in so I had
a few extra minutes.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Excellent, excellent. Well we turn to today and the Central
Coast Marinders this afternoon. They're you know, obviously battling to
try and even stay alive in the race for the
top six. Do you believe though, they'll present you are
a pretty decent threat this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I think any team in the A League can present
a decent threat. I think it's I mean, I think
that's the beauty of the A League. There's no easy games.
Anyone can sort of beat anyone, and I think that's
what makes I mean, if you look at the table,
I think that's what's made it so tight.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
As you know, teams are dropping points.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
You know, you say dropping points against a worse team,
but really none of the teams. Teams are bad, So
you know, teams can drop points at any time, and
it's obviously shown that this season if you look at
the table. So yeah, I think for sure that if
they're gonna present a tough challenge for.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Us, you're locked into the finals obviously. How do you
how would you describe the belief in the group right
now as you as you finish off the regular season
and then look forward to finals football.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, that's a huge belief still there has been the
whole season. Obviously, we know we've had points where we've
dropped off, and I think if you look back now
at games where we could have won, we could have
you know, maybe secured the league already, but that goes
for all the other teams as well. It's just a
part of the game, and I guess it's a part
of the league and why it's you know, I feel
like it's very entertaining to watch because any team can
(04:44):
bid anyone. So yeah, I know we're still extremely motivated
and we still know that the league's there to win,
and then yeah for finals as well.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
You know, at most we want to.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
But obviously with the top two as where we want
to have that extra week off, especially with the with
the injuries and stuff, I think it will give us
a real good chance to get some of the boys
back fitting ready.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
How much of a disruption has that been? Locky with
with players? Obviously, some of them out longer term, you know,
the likes of Francis Devrees, we don't quite know when
he's going to be back. Others like Izumo and Hiroki
who have sort of been in and out of the side.
How disruptive has that been? Nando another one obviously? Yeah,
has that been No?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Of course, I mean any injury really, it's even if
it's a player that's not you know, starting every game O.
The way that we play and I think, you know,
the way that most teams play now, the subs are
just as important, you know, they need to come on
and make a difference. And I think, you know, with
a full strength squad, we've got one of the best
squads in the league. So of course it's a it's
a big disruption. But the young lads that have come
through have been excellent. Saw the players that came on
(05:44):
Van last week, I thought was unbelievable, So you know
that the depth is there, But obviously we would like
to have, you know, going into finals, in the last
game of the seasons, everyone fit. But yeah, hopefully, hopefullfully
we do gain a few back by the start of finals,
which would be ideal.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
You mentioned Van for Terrist there Luka Vissel, which is
another one Steve Corcus had had to call on youth
to cover some of those those injuries. Did you know,
having trained with these boys, that they would be ready
for a league football if their chance came.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
They're great players and I think, you know, when you're young,
you've almost got nothing to lose, and I think that
they you know, they really stepped up and you know,
for them, it's it's really exciting I remember when I
was at that age and playing my first games.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
It's it's such a good feeling.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
So yeah, we were we were buzzing for him obviously,
you know, I mean, apart from obviously Luca made a mistake,
but these things happen, and apart from that, I thought
he was excellent throughout the whole game and whenever he's
come on, he's been great.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
So yeah, he's he's going to be He's going to
be a great player. He's got a really good.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Head on his shoulders as well, and you know, even
with that mistake, he straight away, you know, I looked
at him and he shrugged it off pretty quick and
kept playing, So you know, I think he's, Yeah, he's
going to be a great player. But yeah, it's good
to have those players that we can rely on and stuff,
and obviously, yeah, at times like this we need it.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
So it's yeah, it's great to have him.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
And you had a period of time where you're being
used as a as an impact player, coming off the bench,
back and the starting eleven. Now it feels like somewhere where, well,
I know you want to be. How determined are you
now to play a starting role for Auckland FC from
now until the Grand Final winning but the season ends.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, for sure, very very motivated to keep that spot obviously. Yeah,
I had a few weeks on the bench and yeah,
I think that I got my motivation a.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Bit more bit back then than what it was.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Maybe a bit of a kick up the backside, but yeah,
I'm definitely keen to keep the spot now.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
And you came here at the start of the season,
I'm sure highly motivated. You know, what did you sense
from the team and what do you sense now as
you do approach the home straight and you look forward
to finals, particularly some of the boys who were there
last year and didn't quite make it to the Grand Final.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Yeah, I think for those boys there's some big points
I prove obviously as well. You know, they've they've driven
out last year, so I'm sure for them it's a
personal thing as well that they want to go one
better and win it all. But yeah, for me as well,
like I have haven't won the league or won a
championship yet, and that's something you know.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
When I signed for the club that I really want
to achieve.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
So for me, yeah, it's really exciting and I'm looking
forward so hopefully doing the double, which would be great.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Well, the next point of business this afternoon against the
Mariners that go Media Stadium. Lockey always great. Chat out
to your mate, thanks for taking the call and all
the best.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
No worries, Thank you mate, appreciate it, no thank.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
You lockey lockeybrook there from Auckland FC. This afternoon they
take on the Central Coast Mariners that go Media Stadium,
as mentioned, their final regular season game of the campaign
and then into finals they go. They will definitely play
finals and Vet, I'm just going to check the table
and I don't know that they can be caught now
(08:45):
in the top two. Well theoretically they can. If they
were to lose today and lose next week, they could
drop out of the top two. A point today a
drawer would be enough to secure their place in the
top two. Why is that important because you missed the
first round of the finals or the playoffs, the postseason,
whatever you want to call it. In the A League
(09:06):
number three plays number six and four place five. Those
are elimination games. The winners of those games go forward
to home and away semis against the top two. So
Auckland FC finished top last year, they still can finished
top this year, but they'll need Newcastle to drop points. Regardless,
they'll look to lock themselves into the top two. Then
(09:26):
they'll look at home and away semis and hopefully a
Grand Final for Auckland FC. They didn't make it that
far last year. There's some deep determination inside this team
to put that right in twenty twenty five twenty six.
From the Wellington Phoenixes point of view, they finished their
home season, if you can call it that. They were
in christ Yet yesterday for a home away from home game.
(09:47):
They finished it in style. They beat the Western Sydney
Wanderers two to one in the last ever game of
any code at an elite level anyway, at Apollo Project Stadium.
They won two to one. That kept them alive, but
only until Melbourne City played Brisbane in the game immediately following,
and unfortunately for the Phoenix it was Melbourne City who
(10:08):
won that game and therefore moved beyond the reach of
Wellington Phoenix. So the highest the Phoenix can finish seventh.
Only the top six make it through. So they'll play
their final game away at MacArthur this coming Friday, and
that'll be the end of the season for Wellington Phoenix,
but certainly some promising signs at the back end of
this season since the arrival of Chris Greenacre as interim
(10:30):
head coach for now, you'd have to think that at
some stage in the next little while he will be
offered the gig full time.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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