February 7, 2025 • 8 mins
The Wellington Phoenix women are back home at Porirua Park to meet Melbourne Victory in the A-League on Saturday afternoon.
The team hasn't lost at their home venue since November, and are just three points outside the playoff zone.
Adam Cooper caught up with midfielder Alyssa Whinham, who's recently amassed 50 games for the club.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
From grassroots to gold Medals. It's Wellington's Small's Moat Breakfast
with Adam Hooper Rutherford and Bond Toyota and King Toyota
on News Talks FB twenty nine past eight here on
the Ollsport Breakfast. Well, what a day we'retherwise for the
Wellington Phoenix women returning home Potty to a Park four
o'clock kickoff the Phoenix up against Melbourne Victory. Now, the
(00:21):
Phoenix women haven't lost at pottydo A Park since November,
so it's turning into a bit of a fortress for
them and they're building some good momentum in the A League.
Couple of losses across the Tasman over the last couple
of weeks, but the Phoenix just to win outside the
playoff zone in terms of getting inside that top six.
So an important game against Melbourne Victory, who are at
that top end of the table. Let's head into the
(00:43):
Phoenix Women's camp now, Alyssa Windham is with us. Morning
to you, Alyssa. I bet everyone is pretty excited to
be getting back to pottydo a Park after a couple
of disappointing results over in Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, I think We've had a couple of tough losses
obviously over the past two weeks, and obviously just being
at home is just completely different. Like, our fans are
genuinely just the best, and there's always such a good
atmosphere at Potty Do with so we really just want
to use that to our advantage. And yeah, just being
at home with our friends and family is always the best.
So the girls can't wait. We're looking really good and yeah,
(01:18):
just looking to bounce back straight away, so that would
be really good.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yeah, tell us how you've reflected on that loss to
Brisbane last weekend, because you know, it was pretty obvious
watching that the opportunities that you were creating, the shots
you were able to produce, and I guess you could
say Brisban got a bit lucky with that one goal,
which you know, possibly there was a foul involved there
as well. We still overall, you know, not too disappointed
with that result.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Yeah, it's definitely a tough one to take. I think
it was just kind of one of those games where
like we completely dominated the whole game, I think from
start to finish, and like you said, Brisbane kind of
got away with a bit of a lucky goal. Arguably
a foul on the keeper, but yeah, it was really disappointed.
I felt like we played extremely well. Temps was so
(02:05):
happy with us after the game just in terms of
how we played, so it was really good signs. But
obviously we'd just be looking to kind of, yeah, finish
the chances a little bit more because obviously Central close
the week before and then Brisbane where we didn't manage
to find the back of the net. So just looking
to you know, finish those opportunities when we kind of
(02:25):
get them. That will be key for us tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Yeah, and eight's on the ladder now, just to win
outside the top six. What is the kind of thinking
around the team at the moment. Are you looking at
the table and knowing you're sort of, you know, just
on the cusp or is it just approaching every task
at hands as the weeks go on.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, obviously, I think individually we're like pretty aware of
the table and something we probably kind of look at
in our own time, but I think collectively we kind
of just need to focus on each game as it comes.
I think obviously, reflecting on Brisbane, I thought we played
really well and we were happy with our performance. Is
just like the finer details that we need to add
(03:04):
that will get us into the top top six. So obviously, yeah,
really happy, was like, how are we going at the moment?
I think that kind of gives us confidence and yeah,
we're not too worried about yeah, the table as such yet,
but yeah, just taking each game as it comes, and
I think we do have enough quality in our group
to kind of push through.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
You've been a part of this team for several seasons now,
obviously recently just taking over that fifty milestone as well.
So what is setting this team apart? Do you think
from maybe previous versions of the Phoenix that's bringing the
team some quite good success.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yeah, I think a lot Early on, so season one
and season two, I think the style of play was
a lot different. It was kind of just getting us
experience involved in a professional environment and playing against quality opposition,
which was something that us Keywi girls. Yeah, we just
weren't used to yet. So now that we just kind
(04:01):
of have that experience, we've been in the league for
this is our full season now, I think, and having
tempts as a coach, it's been really cool just seeing
a different style of play kind of applied where we're
just looking to play a lot more where I'd say
early on in the piece it was kind of just
letting other teams dictate a little bit less possession, and
now we really just want to dominate teams with the ball.
(04:21):
It's been really cool to be a part of because
obviously it's not the typical New Zealand kind of style
of play, but the fact that we get to play
out from the back, get to play small ball, it's
been so enjoyable and yeah, I'm really loving it.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
And what did it mean to you bringing up those
fifty games, because you've been pretty honest over the seasons
about you know, it hasn't always you know, maybe been
the ideal scenarios for you, game time and everything else.
So how special was that tacking that off a few
weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, it was such a special moment, and honestly, something
as you probably asked me a year ago, I just
like kind of wouldn't believe you, But yeah, it was
a really special moment and my dad was there and
it was just amazing. Like it has been a bit
of a difficult journey, but it kind of does make
me appreciate it a lot more. I think a professional
you always go through kind of the highs and the lows,
(05:10):
and when you go through so many lows, you definitely
appreciate the highs a lot more. And like, I have
such a good group of people around me and the
club has been amazing and supporting me through all those times.
So it's been really difficult, and I'm yeah, just developing
so much on and off the pitch, but I'm loving
my time here at the Phoenix and it will always
have like a special place in my heart. So I'm
(05:31):
really glad I got to reach that milestone. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Great. What is the strength of the team right now?
Do you think as you sort of fighting for that
playoff spot?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah, I think we have such a great group of girls.
I think our connection on and off the pitch, like
as what is kind of really getting us through. I
think we are so like bonded. We spend so much
time with each other, like like I said, like on
and off the pitch, and I think it does reflect
when we're on the pitch. We really like fighting for
(06:00):
each other and we all bring something completely different and
girls that aren't really in the squad at the moment, yeah,
are really pushing for it. And our training intensity has
been really good and I think it's just going to
help us so much on the pitch. Everyone just brings
something different and we're such a tight group of girls.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
And Melbourne victory this afternoon, obviously they're having a pretty
good season as well. Second on the ladder, haven't been
beaten for the last set of months or so. What
are you expecting from them?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, No, they're a very tough opposition. I think I
remember when we kind of played them last. They have
quality players all over the pitch, a tough team to
break down. But I think being at home we're really
using that at our advantage. I think we are like
unstoppable when we are at home and the fans and
the crowd really just give us that twelfth man. So
(06:52):
I think they're going to be a difficult team. They
have so many strengths across the park. But we've been
working hard at training and yeah, I feel like we
can really test them and put them under the pump.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
And football's are traditionally a winter sport, but geez, the
weather in Wellington these last few days has been pretty summary,
pretty hot and humid. So what's it like been training
over these last couple of days?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Yeah, it's definitely been different. It's like quite nice, so
it could prepare us for like the Aussie heat that
we get to face and if we go over there. No,
it's been really lovely and it's nice when it's not
so windy and wally.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
So yeah, brilliant, awesome Melissa, Well, great to chat and
congratulations on the season so far. And I know all
our listeners here in Wellington will be, you know, right
behind the team as you push for that playoff spot
and hopefully a good crowd at pottyder this afternoon, So
thanks for chatting.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
And go well awesome, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Cheers Alyssa when them out of the Wellington Phoenix. We're
been four o'clock. Four o'clock kickoff at Pottydoor Park this afternoon.
Beautiful day for it. Get along and support the team
and their bid for a first playoff appearance. For more
from News Talks, there'd be listen live on air or
online and keep our shows with you wherever you go
with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.
From grassroots to gold Medals. It's Wellington's Small's Moat Breakfast
with Adam Hooper Rutherford and Bond Toyota and King Toyota
on News Talks FB twenty nine past eight here on
the Ollsport Breakfast. Well, what a day we'retherwise for the
Wellington Phoenix women returning home Potty to a Park four
o'clock kickoff the Phoenix up against Melbourne Victory. Now, the
(00:21):
Phoenix women haven't lost at pottydo A Park since November,
so it's turning into a bit of a fortress for
them and they're building some good momentum in the A League.
Couple of losses across the Tasman over the last couple
of weeks, but the Phoenix just to win outside the
playoff zone in terms of getting inside that top six.
So an important game against Melbourne Victory, who are at
that top end of the table. Let's head into the
(00:43):
Phoenix Women's camp now, Alyssa Windham is with us. Morning
to you, Alyssa. I bet everyone is pretty excited to
be getting back to pottydo a Park after a couple
of disappointing results over in Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, I think We've had a couple of tough losses
obviously over the past two weeks, and obviously just being
at home is just completely different. Like, our fans are
genuinely just the best, and there's always such a good
atmosphere at Potty Do with so we really just want
to use that to our advantage. And yeah, just being
at home with our friends and family is always the best.
So the girls can't wait. We're looking really good and yeah,
(01:18):
just looking to bounce back straight away, so that would
be really good.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yeah, tell us how you've reflected on that loss to
Brisbane last weekend, because you know, it was pretty obvious
watching that the opportunities that you were creating, the shots
you were able to produce, and I guess you could
say Brisban got a bit lucky with that one goal,
which you know, possibly there was a foul involved there
as well. We still overall, you know, not too disappointed
with that result.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Yeah, it's definitely a tough one to take. I think
it was just kind of one of those games where
like we completely dominated the whole game, I think from
start to finish, and like you said, Brisbane kind of
got away with a bit of a lucky goal. Arguably
a foul on the keeper, but yeah, it was really disappointed.
I felt like we played extremely well. Temps was so
(02:05):
happy with us after the game just in terms of
how we played, so it was really good signs. But
obviously we'd just be looking to kind of, yeah, finish
the chances a little bit more because obviously Central close
the week before and then Brisbane where we didn't manage
to find the back of the net. So just looking
to you know, finish those opportunities when we kind of
(02:25):
get them. That will be key for us tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Yeah, and eight's on the ladder now, just to win
outside the top six. What is the kind of thinking
around the team at the moment. Are you looking at
the table and knowing you're sort of, you know, just
on the cusp or is it just approaching every task
at hands as the weeks go on.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, obviously, I think individually we're like pretty aware of
the table and something we probably kind of look at
in our own time, but I think collectively we kind
of just need to focus on each game as it comes.
I think obviously, reflecting on Brisbane, I thought we played
really well and we were happy with our performance. Is
just like the finer details that we need to add
(03:04):
that will get us into the top top six. So obviously, yeah,
really happy, was like, how are we going at the moment?
I think that kind of gives us confidence and yeah,
we're not too worried about yeah, the table as such yet,
but yeah, just taking each game as it comes, and
I think we do have enough quality in our group
to kind of push through.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
You've been a part of this team for several seasons now,
obviously recently just taking over that fifty milestone as well.
So what is setting this team apart? Do you think
from maybe previous versions of the Phoenix that's bringing the
team some quite good success.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yeah, I think a lot Early on, so season one
and season two, I think the style of play was
a lot different. It was kind of just getting us
experience involved in a professional environment and playing against quality opposition,
which was something that us Keywi girls. Yeah, we just
weren't used to yet. So now that we just kind
(04:01):
of have that experience, we've been in the league for
this is our full season now, I think, and having
tempts as a coach, it's been really cool just seeing
a different style of play kind of applied where we're
just looking to play a lot more where I'd say
early on in the piece it was kind of just
letting other teams dictate a little bit less possession, and
now we really just want to dominate teams with the ball.
(04:21):
It's been really cool to be a part of because
obviously it's not the typical New Zealand kind of style
of play, but the fact that we get to play
out from the back, get to play small ball, it's
been so enjoyable and yeah, I'm really loving it.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
And what did it mean to you bringing up those
fifty games, because you've been pretty honest over the seasons
about you know, it hasn't always you know, maybe been
the ideal scenarios for you, game time and everything else.
So how special was that tacking that off a few
weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, it was such a special moment, and honestly, something
as you probably asked me a year ago, I just
like kind of wouldn't believe you, But yeah, it was
a really special moment and my dad was there and
it was just amazing. Like it has been a bit
of a difficult journey, but it kind of does make
me appreciate it a lot more. I think a professional
you always go through kind of the highs and the lows,
(05:10):
and when you go through so many lows, you definitely
appreciate the highs a lot more. And like, I have
such a good group of people around me and the
club has been amazing and supporting me through all those times.
So it's been really difficult, and I'm yeah, just developing
so much on and off the pitch, but I'm loving
my time here at the Phoenix and it will always
have like a special place in my heart. So I'm
(05:31):
really glad I got to reach that milestone. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Great. What is the strength of the team right now?
Do you think as you sort of fighting for that
playoff spot?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah, I think we have such a great group of girls.
I think our connection on and off the pitch, like
as what is kind of really getting us through. I
think we are so like bonded. We spend so much
time with each other, like like I said, like on
and off the pitch, and I think it does reflect
when we're on the pitch. We really like fighting for
(06:00):
each other and we all bring something completely different and
girls that aren't really in the squad at the moment, yeah,
are really pushing for it. And our training intensity has
been really good and I think it's just going to
help us so much on the pitch. Everyone just brings
something different and we're such a tight group of girls.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
And Melbourne victory this afternoon, obviously they're having a pretty
good season as well. Second on the ladder, haven't been
beaten for the last set of months or so. What
are you expecting from them?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, No, they're a very tough opposition. I think I
remember when we kind of played them last. They have
quality players all over the pitch, a tough team to
break down. But I think being at home we're really
using that at our advantage. I think we are like
unstoppable when we are at home and the fans and
the crowd really just give us that twelfth man. So
(06:52):
I think they're going to be a difficult team. They
have so many strengths across the park. But we've been
working hard at training and yeah, I feel like we
can really test them and put them under the pump.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
And football's are traditionally a winter sport, but geez, the
weather in Wellington these last few days has been pretty summary,
pretty hot and humid. So what's it like been training
over these last couple of days?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Yeah, it's definitely been different. It's like quite nice, so
it could prepare us for like the Aussie heat that
we get to face and if we go over there. No,
it's been really lovely and it's nice when it's not
so windy and wally.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
So yeah, brilliant, awesome Melissa, Well, great to chat and
congratulations on the season so far. And I know all
our listeners here in Wellington will be, you know, right
behind the team as you push for that playoff spot
and hopefully a good crowd at pottyder this afternoon, So
thanks for chatting.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
And go well awesome, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Cheers Alyssa when them out of the Wellington Phoenix. We're
been four o'clock. Four o'clock kickoff at Pottydoor Park this afternoon.
Beautiful day for it. Get along and support the team
and their bid for a first playoff appearance. For more
from News Talks, there'd be listen live on air or
online and keep our shows with you wherever you go
with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.
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