May 4, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode, Piney and Bonnie review the final regular season A-League games for Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix.
How much will the Black Knights' momentum be stalled by their 4-2 loss away at Western United?
And what are the big off-season work-ons for the Phoenix as they try to put a very disappointing campaign behind them?
Football Fever with Jason Pine & Bonnie Jansen is the weekly podcast to keep up with all the action from the beautiful game!
Our voice of football Jason Pine and sport journalist Bonnie Jansen follow the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC on their quest for an A-League title - all the goals, all the drama, all the glory!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Football Fever. Hello there, Welcome to the start
of a new week. Welcome into the start of May.
Welcome to a fresh episode of the Football Fever podcast.
I'm Jason Pine with Bonnie Jensen alongside the A League
men's regular season is done, All done, Bonnie, How was
(00:24):
your weekend?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Oh? Not too bad, Piney, I guess the results weren't
great in terms of A league kiwimen's football, but just
really looking forward to to finals footy in the next month,
which will hopefully be a big one for Auckland FC.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Indeed, the top six are confirmed, we'll get into the
elimination finals and what might lie ahead for Auckland FC shortly.
But let's have a look at how they went over
the weekend. As you say, the results certainly went against
the grain as far as Auckland f C are concerned.
Saturday night Western United four, Auckland f C two and
(01:00):
Western United were three MILLI hit at one stage. Third
loss of the season for Auckland FC. There's second to
Western United, so I think we've got a bit of
a bogie team in our midstier. Auckland f C's unbeaten
street stops at fourteen matches. Look, a lot of people
have said to me, hey, is this just they knew
that won? The Premiers played that a few days, enjoying that,
(01:21):
celebrating that this didn't really matter. You write it off?
Is that the way you look at it?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I think so, especially when you go from a sold
out go Media stadium and playing in front of so
many fans here in Auckland and games prior to that
that had been so important to then going over to
Western United, who would have had well five six thousand
people in the crowd of that and probably yeah, just
a bit of a write off game. I think what
(01:49):
was disappointing for me, well, I didn't watch the game
in full because I have to admit I was out
at a party. I feel like some of the attitude,
you know that the heads were down, the attitude maybe
a little bit too arrogant. However, yes, we're going to
look at it. You know, they needed to lose at
some point, they needed to break that losing streak, and
good they do it now and not in the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Yeah, and I don't think it really has a terminal
effect on them. I guess that remains to be seen.
But when they've been so successful and when there was
nothing on this game as far as table position was concerned.
The only thing you would say is that if you
believe in momentum, and some people do and some people don't.
But if you believe in momentum, then the momentum of
(02:33):
fourteen unbeaten matches has been broken. But I don't think
that necessarily means, does it that you just don't come
out the other side and start a different kind of
momentum going into the finals.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What I do wonder is why Kraka stuck with his
same kind of starting eleven he's played with for the
last few weeks. I know we spoke about it last
week that you know, there's too long of a gap
to be resting players because they do have the buy
next week and they want to build that momentum, as
you say, Poney, But I do wonder if maybe giving
(03:06):
some of those younger players a start, they might have
seen a different attitude to a bit of a fight
from the team with a point to prove. You know,
the likes of Liam Gilliam wasn't in the squad again,
Jesse Randall came off the bench. But I just wonder
if some new faces maybe would have given them that boost.
I mean, luckily there were no injuries that I know
of yet, but yeah, that was interesting to me.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Yeah, he had a couple of options, didn't he, Steve Corriker.
He could do what he did and go with the
same team and continue to build what he hoped would
be momentum. Or as you say, he could have freshened
things up. They could have given guys, you know, a
bit of a break, even a guy like Philippe Guygos,
you know, who didn't play last week because of the
injury he picked up against Melbourne victory. He could have
(03:49):
easily said to Philipe guy Goss, look, take another week off.
He's not going to be set back at this stage
of the season. He's got his base fitness, he's not
going to be set back. And as it was, he
came off at halftime anyway, So yeah, look, he could
have given guys who actually came off the bench a start.
He could have started Moreno, he could have started Randall
as you say, he could have brought in guys who
hardly have any hardly had any football at all in
(04:12):
and there wouldn't have been any downside. I don't think
to that. It wasn't as though it was a must
win game. So but Steve Corek has obviously decided, look,
this is the way I'm going to do it. He
lives and dies by his decisions, you know so, and
I guess if you flip it, these players now have
a bit of a bit of a point to prove
next time they go out, which will be an away
(04:35):
semi final in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I would have liked to have seen Michael Vowed at
least get some minutes there. I feel like he was
a little bit probably ripped off at the start of
the season signing thinking he was going to be the
number one. Obviously Alex Paulson took that and rightly so,
but it would have been good to see him get
a run because I doubt they'll try him in the playoffs, unless,
of course, there is an injury to Pulse in touch
(04:57):
would but Piney, do you think that is they're starting eleven?
Speaker 1 (05:01):
It's a good question. I think it depends on who
they play. I think if they play Melbourne victory in
the semi finals, he might do what he did in
the game over there only two or three weeks ago,
and they when they played the back five when they
brought Callon Elliot in they had Sarki, Pinicker, Hall, Devrees
(05:22):
and Elliott. I wonder if they play Melbourne Victory, it
might be one of those horses for courses things where
they know that worked against Victory last time. Other than that,
the only thing I'd say would be would be you know,
are they all in on Marley Francois. It feels as
though Steve Corrikett is pretty much all in on him.
He's started five of the last six games. Now I
(05:45):
wonder whether it's perhaps you know, a Moreno rather than
a Francois that you might see the mata my thing.
I think he again is all in on that. He's
not going to drop the strata. The back five are
pretty set. What would you be doing?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, I probably would start Medano. Like looking at that
goal he's scored on the weekend for Auckland FC, like
another absolute banger. And yes he was he was out injured,
but yeah he's he's such a goal scorer and well,
yes you could look at it and bring him off
the bench and have have that super sub there like
(06:23):
he again proved at the weekend. You want to start
your best, your best to live in, no matter what
position they play. I am in my opinion, So yeah,
I feel like Marley Frants. I've said it, I've said
it before, I'll say it again. He hasn't done enough
for me to deserve that starting spot.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
I think if you take all position out of it,
the strongest eleven is Paulson, Sychai, Pinecker, Hall Devrees, the Strata,
Guy Goss, Moreno, Rogerson Marta. My now, that's tough on
Jake Brummer, who I think is just on the fringes
there of that, maybe he and Guy Goss, maybe a
Cam Howison. But that's the way for me.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
It's for me it's Brimmer instead of Max Mutter. And
is that link between the front three and the midfield.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yep, yep, that's another way. Yep, another way could do it. No,
And it wasn't that long ago that he did that
Max Marter didn't play. Was that that was the game
against Victory. Actually when when Max Marter didn't play, he
might have been carrying an injury. But as you say,
Brimmer played that day and Guy Goss as well as
the back five, So he's got a few little little tweaks.
(07:28):
I think you can probably write down eight or nine
of the players who will start, and then it's what
you do around that, plus what you do with your bench.
So yeah, I guess they can't really specifically plan until
they know who they're playing, and that won't be until
after after Saturday night. Just on Western United, Auckland FC
cannot meet Western United again unless it is than the
(07:50):
Grand Final. I just wonder in a Grand final, which
if it is Auckland f C, Western United would be
in Auckland, whether Western United would just come and completely
without fear having beaten Auckland four to two on the weekend,
having beaten them four nil in Auckland in round nine.
Are they a bogie team? Are they the team that
you are worried most about if you're Auckland FC.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
No, I am not. I don't fear Western United. I
think looking actually at the five teams under Auckland FC,
they would bet the team I'd want to meet the most. Really, yeah,
I feel Adelaide United are arguably more of a bogie team.
Piney because of those two incredible draws we had against
(08:34):
the side that Adelaide United seemed to stand up against
Auckland f C and then Melbourne victory. I've said it before,
so good in the final series always got PTSD from
the match against the Phoenix. Last season, Western Sidney a
on a roll and Melbourne City a Melbourne City. So yeah,
I feel like Western United the team I'd want to
(08:55):
play the most.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Well, okay, that's an interesting way of looking at it,
especially given the results. But you're so right Adelaide United,
where they fell off a cliff, didn't they We've talked,
they did about this after that four all draw, and again,
at the risk of repeating ourselves, we both said that
could be a Grand final Adelaide United. You know, Auckland
FC could be a Grand Final. It's not going to be.
There's no way it can be. Because if Adelaide United
(09:16):
were to beat Western United on Friday night as the
lowest qualifier, they would face Auckland FC in the Semis.
But I think, you know, everyone expected Sydney FC to
get the points, the point in fact they needed in
the last two games to sneak into the top six
didn't happen, so Adelaide un noted. I mean, they were
probably planning mad Monday today, you know. Instead, instead they're
(09:39):
starting a week with a knockout game at the end
of it, and you know what, they could go to
Western United and win that game Adelaide.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Well, that's what I'm thinking, Pointe, And I think I
said it after that that Fairest Wheel game where they
had the Fairest Wheel and they had that four all
draw that I can already picture it. Now. We go
away to Adelaide in the first round of the semi finals,
and then they come back and both games are deadlock,
so we have to go to a penalty shootout. I
can already see it now. So yeah, I don't know.
(10:06):
I'm a bit nervous. Well that's good.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
That's anario as possible. Bonnie. You're right, it's six all
between these two teams. I've had two cracking games, you know,
the one over in Adelaide where what Logan Rogers's scoring
about the one hundredth minute or something to make that
to all and then as you say, the four all,
which was back and forth and back and forth and
for you, round and round on the Fairest Will as
you wrote that piece for the Herald. Okay, well, let's
(10:28):
have a look at what might happen in these in
these elimination finals, then Friday night, Western United will host Adelaide.
Saturday night, Western Sydney will host Melbourne Victory. So the
lowest ranked winner will play Auckland FC. The highest ranked
winner will face Melbourne City in the semi finals. Who
do you think will win? So are you are you
(10:49):
backing Adelaide to beat Western United on Friday night?
Speaker 2 (10:53):
It's in Western United day?
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Yeah, No, I think I think Western United get up,
get up for that one and then the other game
Melbourne Victory. I just think they're too good in this
time of the year.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Okay, Well, in that scenario then it would be Melbourne
Victory who Auckland FC would face home and away. So
your PTSD right got the order right, would kick in
well and truly. Yeah. So the team that Auckland cannot
play in the semis is Western United. They can play
Adelaide United or Western Sydney or Melbourne Victory. So if
(11:28):
you're picking Melbourne Victory to win on Saturday night and
Western United to win on Friday, then we are in
store for a home and away semi final series against
Melbourne Victory.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
What do you think, Parney, what do you think is
going to happen?
Speaker 1 (11:41):
I think Western United will bet Adelaide as well, much
as I would love Adelaide to go through because I
just have really enjoyed the way they play, and I
think it would be almost a bit of a chance
for Carl Vett to give the powers that be at
that club a bit of a middle finger. You know,
they've sacked him effectively, or they haven't renewed him beyond
the sea. Imagine if they beat Western United in the
(12:02):
in the elimination final, get through to the semis. You
know they're and I've said, thanks Carl, but we're going
to go in a different direction. You know, I got
no skin in that game, you know, so, but I
think Western United will probably win. I think Western Sydney
Melbourne victory is an absolute corn flip and absolutely and
is set up for an epic epic game out at
(12:24):
Combak Stadium on Saturday night. Whoever comes through that will
be a worthy semi finalist. Obviously. I think they're both
very dangerous sides. Melbourne victory, we know, you know, with
their attacking threats, but you know, Western Sydney wanderers with
you know, with Nicholas Milanovitch and bojed Ar Krajev Brandon Barrello,
(12:44):
they too are very dangerous. Having said all of that, Bonnie,
whoever Auckland face. Auckland have the best defense in the league,
so they have shown over twenty six games that they
can repel the best attacks in the league.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
But Pineyer defense wins, lead goals, win grand finals.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Yes, you're right there, You're right there, and then you say, okay,
well gives you momi nd Modino.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Ten different goal scorers or something. I think that's the
that's the stat.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Well, I mean, rather than talking vagaries next Monday, we
can talk in absolutes. We can review these two elimination
finals next week on the pod and look forward to
specifically who Aukland FC will play. Now, what we do
know is that the home semi final home and away
the home semifinal will be at six o'clock New Zealand
time on the night of Saturday May twenty fourth. Now
(13:37):
believe tickets for members might go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, today, today,
I believe it all right, and then general sale. I
would not wait around if you are looking for a
ticket for that game. There is absolutely no doubt it
will sell out, may even sell out this week, so
i'd get your tickets if you are keen to go
six o'clock Saturday, May twenty fourth. Now the Grand Final venue,
(13:58):
We've talked about this a bit. The A League media
release yesterday said the final is going to be on
Saturday May thirty one. If it is on that date,
it can't be at Eden Park because the Blues are
playing there that same day. But then there was a
graphic that came out later from the A League that
said the Grand Final is May thirty one to June one,
so across that weekend, so it could be someday. Have
(14:20):
you got any gut feel on where it's going to
be You've got the inside information of where this game,
if it is a Grand Final of Auckland's going to be.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
I don't have any inside information other than that it's
going to be decided in the next week. If it
is in fact going to be in Auckland, obviously we
won't know that till down the track. But I just feel,
which is full speculation, that it'll absolutely be at Eden
Park for two for three reasons. Firstly, I think you
(14:48):
mentioned it to me Piney that Gosford didn't have another
option last year or Central Coast didn't have another option
last year other than Gosford, they wouldn't have traveled to Sydney,
whereas Auckland do have another stadium option. The A League
will want to make as much money as possible and
Auckland FC have been consistently selling out, selling out their
stadium or close to it, so I'm confident they'll be
(15:10):
able to sell out Eden Park. And thirdly, I think
the Australians secretly hate the Kiwis and they want to
give New Zealand as much of a disadvantage as possible
in the final.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Wow. Oh, I'm sure they wouldn't say it like that,
but if you think that's an underlying thing, you.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Think like they don't want Auckland to win it, do they?
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Well, I don't know. I mean I think if you
ask a few supporters of Australian clubs, they think that
Auckland f C have been have been disproportionately glazed by
the by you know, the Australian Football media, the APL
and everybody else. Over the season. It seems like every
social media post for a while was Auckland f C.
(15:51):
But look, it's going to come down to the the
balances this apill want to make, as you directly pointed out,
as much money as possible. Therefore they want the bigger venue.
But Auckland f C, for whatever power they have in
this conversation, want to have it at go Media because
that is their home, that is their fortress. It's just
(16:14):
which which argument or whether that Auckland f C argument
is compelling enough for apl to settle for less money
from ticket sales. That's really what it comes down to.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I think the only way that Auckland f C will
get it across the line is if they know Go
Media offer to put up a temporary stat and on
that on that north side, or maybe remove the slide
that they've had and feel kind of general admission tickets
on that grassy bank. I'm not sure exactly how it
will work, but I think also a massive thing is
(16:46):
having it on that Saturday. That might play in their favor,
because yeah, it'll it'll attracts such a bigger crowd being
on a Saturday than it would that it would on
the Friday or the Sunday.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, okay, we wait and see, and as you say,
they can't wait until after the semi finals. It might
not matter because Auckland might not make it. They have
to make a decision, as you say, probably in the
next week or so, just to say, okay, if Auckland
f C host heres where it's going to because the
venue has to get ready for it, right. You can't
just pull these things together in four or five days.
(17:19):
It's all ahead of us. Auckland FC, we know, have
the weekend off though, and next week it around about
this time we will know the winners of the two
elimination finals and therefore Auckland FC's opponent in their home
and away semis. This is what Lord well from the
(17:41):
highs of finals football to the lows of what we
saw last night at sky Stadium, Wellington Phoenix nil Perth
Glory two. Now, this game was rescheduled from Friday night
Perth couldn't get to Wellington because of some horrendous weather
at the back end of last week in the Capitol.
The game was rescheduled to yesterday. Adam Taggart with both goals,
(18:02):
one in each half, both very good finishes. He's a
quality player. A somewhat fitting end to a very very
disappointing Wellington Phoenix season. Just the one shot on target
all evening Perth had nine. By comparison, fourth straight defeat
to end the season. They've lost to the bottom two
sides in successive weeks without scoring a goal, eleventh on
(18:26):
the table, fourteen points outside the top six. Whichever way
you cut and slice a Bonnie, this was a very
very meek end to what has been a terribly disappointing season.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Pretty underwhelming, wasn't it. I think from the performance on
the pitch it echoed kind of their attitudes and their
decline throughout the season. Also the fans that was not
many people there. I do understand it had been a
pretty shitty weather week in Wellington and probably was a
(18:58):
cold Sunday night, But yeah, not a non an ideal
way to end the season whatsoever. And you can just
tell the attitudes and in the players they're just they're done,
they're checked out. I can't say the same for the
coaching staff, but I do wonder if maybe they jumped
the gun a little bit re signing chiefye so soon.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Well, that is a discussion point. I think that has
been talked about a lot since he was re signed
ten days ago. You know, there's certainly no indication from
the Wellington Phoenix players they were in any way playing
for their coach or anything like that, not that they
have to, but the last couple of games, it's just
such a with nothing on the line, Bondy, you know
(19:37):
that the finals were out of reach. They were playing,
as I say, the bottom two sides in Brisbane and Perth.
You know, why not just have a crack, why not
just give it a go. And it's just I just
just looked like the tanks were empty, and you know,
physically and mentally for the side, the body language was terrible.
You know, there was nothing in the way of a spark. Really,
(19:59):
only a couple of players, you know that I can
think of last night really tried to inject themselves with
any vigor. It was just a really really meek end
to a you know, to to the seat. They just
they just stumbled across the finish line.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
You know, oh, absolutely piny and everything. And I think
I've pointed out the senior players a lot this season
and in terms of you know, they haven't really stood
up and shown with their body language that you know,
to kind of give this team any hope. But perhaps
that was a bit unfear of me. Even last night.
I noticed a lot of the younger players, you know,
(20:36):
walking and like walking on the field and into positions
and just really really lazy attitudes. Again, apologies if that's
too harsh, but that's just how it felt. And even
then when you listen to to Chiefy after the game
and the press conference that you you were at Piney
and even his attitude was was very unmotivated, and yeah,
(20:58):
you got to respect them. It's it's hard to go
out there and do that, but especially with nothing on
the line. But it's their job. They're paid. They paid
good money to be able to be in that position,
so I think, yeah, it's very disappointing. And the fact
that they've got to go now play in the Australian
Cup is what later this month is a bit like, oh,
(21:19):
I bet they bet they're so checked out.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Yeah, I just think they need space from it all.
The contrast is so stark to last year. I mean
you talk about the rain and the wind and that
sort of thing, and I think back to last season
that game against Melbourne victory, not the semi final, but
the one at the back end of the regular season
where Finn Sermon got the goal right at the end
it was pouring down that night. It was an awful night,
(21:44):
and yet people still turned up because of what the
Phoenix were all about last season. Even yesterday at the
start of the game when the team ran out and
the you know, Adam Cooper, our good mate on the
ground announcing, tried to say, yeah, give it, you know,
give it up for your Wellington Phoenix and there was
literally no there, Bonnie. You know it was And I
think back a year to those packed stands, the semi
(22:06):
final with a sollout Zavada's goal, all of that, and
you can't help but compare, you know what, how how
much that has changed in the space of just twelve months,
how different it could be. And this isn't rare in
the A League. You know, teams go through peaks and troughs,
but after the huge highs and positivity of last year
(22:27):
to you know, to what we've we've had to endure. Really,
I mean one win in twelve home games this season,
no wins at home in twenty twenty five. Last season
they lost only one regular season game at home. You know,
the contrast could not be any startup. You're right, they
go to Darwin to play in the Australia Cup on Wednesday.
(22:48):
That's next Wednesday. Then they'll break until preseason starts on
the first of July. They seriously need a refresh of
some sorts. So I've got a couple of questions for
you around this. Do you think cost of Barbarusis will stay.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
I think he should. I wonder if maybe this season
has just burnt him ound and he won't. But I
think in terms of if he wants to put his
best foot forward for the All Whites and the World
Cup next year, he should stay where he's guaranteed minutes
and you know, leads, leads the goal the goal scoring.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Yep. I agree totally with that. He knows that if
he stays, he basically plays every game as he has
this season and has the opportunity to get a lot
of minutes in front of the national coach. I just
think that the other part of that is that he
can't afford I don't think in his mind to be
part of another season like the one we've just had
in terms of, you know, what it's meant for his psyche,
(23:47):
his motivation levels, just you know, being part of a
team that hasn't for the back end of the season
really challenged at all. Like, I absolutely hope he stays.
I think other teams would take him, you know, But
I think there is that degree of uncertainty for Costa.
If he goes somewhere else, does he absolutely guarantee himself
(24:08):
a starting spot for the vast majority of the season.
And that's probably what he has to weigh up at
the moment.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
And let's not forget as well, he is what thirty five,
He probably you know, he's probably got his eyes on
this World Cup, no doubt, but after that, I can't
see him continuing playing for very much longer. So would
to move whereas his family will live, you know, would
to move across the ditch be the best thing for
(24:35):
him at this time in his career, in his life.
I'm not sure, But maybe that's the thing. Maybe he
wants to go even further afar and make a bit
more money.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
He's still very fit and even at thirty five, But
I wonder whether his footballing focus at the moment is
just between now and the end of the World Cup
next year. So he's thinking in terms of a fourteen
fifteen month proper position, and I hope that he comes
to the conclusion that the best way to ensure he's
(25:08):
in the World Cup squad with plenty of minutes under
his belt is to stay in Wellington. He'd have to
be convinced by Chiefee and by Sean Gill, the Director
of football, that there is a plan for next season
to lift them out of what's been a dreadfully inconsistent
and disappointing campaign this time around. If they can convince
(25:28):
him that there is some light at the end of
what's been a dark tunnel, then I think he will
stay for the reasons that you say. You know, you
don't want to be uprooting your family. He's moved a
lot in his career. You know, this is his third
stint in Wellington. I mean different when he was younger
and didn't have a wife and children, but he does now.
You know, they're settled here. So yeah, I mean I
(25:49):
feel like I need to draw him aside and try
and sell Wellington to him.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Yeah, well, that's what I was going to say, Poney,
have you got any insight in terms of what he
might do or win? A decision at least will be made.
He wouldn't have long to decide, would he.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
No. I think his contract will put it this way,
you're paid up until the end of your contract, and
I believe that's May thirty one. It could be June,
it could be June thirty. Anyway, he's currently under contract
until the end of this current A League season, whatever
the date might be. If he doesn't sign an extension,
then he stops getting paid basically, So yes, the answer
(26:24):
is he would have to give them an answer. I
think now that the season's done. He's always said during
the season or the last bit of the season. Now
I'm going to leave that until the end of the season.
I'm focusing on the season at the moment. I make
a decision at the end, So that's come now that
time is now, you know, forget the Australia Cup. You
know thing. I wonder whether we might get a decision
this week even or in the next week to ten days.
(26:47):
I'm sure there'll be other teams in for him, no question,
quality quality a league player. Three hundred and fiftieth game
last night in the A League. Only five other players
have done that. Still banging in the goals, back to
back double figure goal seasons for Costa.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Look, yeah, does he come to Auckland. Imagine the scenes
on Paulson two point zero?
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Would they want? Would they want? Costa?
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Well, the only person you'd probably start him over is
someone like Logan Rogerson, because he wouldn't start over Mike.
I guess he'd probably start over Maxmutter.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, I mean it would be I feel like if
I'm Terry mcflinn, I'm at least picking up the phone.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Oh, surely I might call Cherry after this and ask him, all.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Right, well, maybe you can report back or we're doing
at the moment. I don't have any inside information, no, none.
I haven't spoken to Costa about it. I don't have
any any line into him at all. I just hope
that he stays. Let's go to the imports. Josh Olaway,
Yemmy Kazuki Nagasawa, and hideki A Shiga are all signed
for next season. Now. The question was put to Chiefy
(27:56):
at the press conference last night. Are all of the
imports definitely coming back? We know Scott Woton isn't, so Olowa,
I mean, Nagasawa is Shiga? Are all of the imports
coming back? And he said potentially? So. I mean it's
a very very vague answer, right, So that means that
in the follow up question from Phil Rollo it staff
was so not certainly and chief he said, well, nothing
(28:18):
certain in football. I think they're trying to find a
way out of one or more of these contracts.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Oh they've got to piney like looking at the season
they've had. They absolutely have to and surely you know
Olawa Amy is not going to want to sit on
the bench for another season because I think if if
he does, you know, if he does stay, he is
sitting on the bench. There's there's not a lot between
him and Kelly hild So why wouldn't you start the younger,
(28:45):
younger one who is an academy player. In terms of
the two Japanese imports, the yeah, I don't know. Again,
they haven't had probably as many minutes as they would
have liked. So a tricky wimp. I don't know how
how all that stuff works and how easy it is
for the Phoenix to get out of those contracts.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
You're like, I guess you have to pay them out.
That's how it works. I think if you want to,
if you want to extricate yourself from a contract and
terminate it by mutual consent, I think you have to
pay out the remainder of the contract, so you know
they've got And with josh Olawami, I mean he doesn't
want to sit on the bench, but the Wellington Phoenix
don't want an import sitting on the bench, either goalkeeper
(29:25):
or otherwise. Your imports have said this so often. Your
imports have to be starting players, you know. They you
cannot afford to have your precious five import spots taking
up space on a bench. They need to be pushing
for the starting side or regulars and the starting side.
And again to compare with Auckland, all five imports have
(29:47):
been really really successful. I think one day will come
back into the side and so all five of them
will be in that starting side. And that's the way
that you have to you know, you have to have
to look at this. Would josh Alawayami, Kazuki Nagasawa, Hadecki
Ishiga make any other A League men's side as an import?
(30:08):
They might, but I'm not sure one hundred percent sure
that they would. So yeah, look there's some discussions to
be had there. There's not a lot of regal room
otherwise because there's if they do stay and cost of stays,
then I think that's twenty signed for next season, you
can only have twenty three, so any refreshing of the
squad it becomes a little bit more difficult. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
I also found last night listening to that press conference
audio when Chief he said in response to that question
about the wiggle room in terms of the players locked in,
and he did focus on the fact that the academy
players will all be a little older and a little
wise in next season, so that should hopefully boost up
the squad. And I thought that was a bit short minded,
(30:54):
short sighted of Chief He to say. I think if
he's hoping those academy players, and you know, a lot
of them have done a right and stepped up, the
likes of Isaac Hughes and Matt Sheeron and Corbyn Piper,
if he's focused on those younger boys, I think that's
a little bit concerning because I think they're going to
need a little bit more than that to see, you know,
(31:16):
stark improvement next season.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Interesting times ahead, a lot to work on for jian
Calo Italiano and his coaching staff over the next few months.
Players back, as I say, after the Australian Cup on
July the first for pre season training, the Wellington Phoenix
awards night. The official awards night is tomorrow night. We
thought we'd get in early and give out our awards.
(31:38):
I've asked you to come up with a Player of
the Year and a Young Player of the Year. So
who is your player of Player of the Y for
Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
It was really quite hard to pick, but I'm just
gonna have to go with Costa Barbarusis. I think he
did a lot with what he could. I spoke a
lot throughout the season. There was not a lot, not
much of a link between the midfield and Costa, but
the fact he's still got ten goals off was was
somewhat impressive and obviously scored the first goal that Auckland
(32:10):
f C conceded.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
I had had Costa, but I've gone with Scott Wooton.
I thought, you mate, Yeah, I just think in the
midst of what has been a really challenging time, I
just think we can weak out. He he fronted up
and sort of you know, tried to hold together and
at times very inexperienced a defensive line with you know,
(32:34):
chopping and changing of goalkeepers, of fallbacks of players sitting
in front. You know, he had to sort of I
guess guide the likes of Hughes and Sheridan and others
through his experience. So I've gone Scott Wooton and we
know that he's leaving the club. We know he and
Sam Sutton, I mean still not official, but they are
going to Perth. But I've taken Scott Wotton as player
(32:57):
of the year Young player of the Year. I can
first here if you like, I've gone and.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Shall we say it at the same time?
Speaker 1 (33:03):
Okay? Three to one Corbyn Piper. I don't think there's
any argument there as to a young player and Rookie
of the year. I mean, one of the bright spots
of a dark season, Corbyn Piper coming and he was
asked to play another position last night he was up
at center forward. I think he's played every position apart
(33:23):
from goalkeeper and if Chief is head here to take
the gloves he probably would.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Yeah. Yeah, no's He's done well and I was excited
about that signing at the start of the season. I
think he was snubbed by Auckland FC and they might
be regretting that decision. I'm still not sure what Corbyn
Piper's future looks like where the national team is on
the cards for him, But yeah, I think Wellington will
be a great place for him for the next couple
of seasons, and yeah, I hope he only only continues
(33:50):
to grow.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
All right, just before we leave the Phoenix, what is
the position if you're in the recruitment team at Wellington Phoenix,
if you're looking ahead to next season, what is the
position or maybe even a couple of positions that you
think are most in need of strengthening at the club.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
I think center backs both obviously Scott Wooton going and
then I just don't think Isaac Hughes or Matt Sheridan
a scene near enough or experienced enough to be playing
that center back. I you know, got on them. They
stepped up this year when they needed to, but they
need more experience in those positions. And with Tim Pain
there as well, you know what what a back line
(34:28):
that could be. The other position again I mentioned it
just before, is that attacking midfield role where I'd love
to see a really strong attacking midfield midfielder to help
kind of bridge that gap between Alex Rufer and Costa.
Speaker 1 (34:44):
I had exactly the same positions written down. Yeah, that
the creative for midfielder, you know, they hoped it would
be Marco Rojas, right. That's they signed Marco at the
start of the season with every intention of him being
the creative force in the middle of the park. He
was only fit enough to start two games and take
part in seven games across the season before being released
from his contract early, so that clearly didn't work. But
(35:07):
you know, that creativity that we got from Ben Olden
bogged our cry Eve in particular last year just has
been severely lacking this year. And yeah, Costa Barbarusis for
the most part has had to live off scraps. So yeah,
an attacking midfielder, and I think you're looking for an
import attacking midfielder and probably an import center back as
well to replace Scott Wooten. You know, defense wins championships,
(35:31):
as they say, Bonnie, and I think they probably need
to need to replace Scott Wharton as well as look
for something a bit further up the park. Hey, Ninja
A League semi finals, the Women's A League competition. We've
had the first leg of these and a very good
day out for Claudia Bunge.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
Oh yeah, unreal for Claude obviously football Ferns center back.
She her Melbourne Victory team beat Adelaide United away in
the in the first semi three to one. They went
one kneel down, but Claudia Bunge scored two goals to
take it to three to one. So yeah, really really
(36:08):
incredible if it there. And then also Melbourne City drew
with Central Coast Mariners to all. Melbourne City obviously is
home to also fellow football Ferns center back Rebecca Stott.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
I thought that was a good result for Central Coast,
you know, because Melbourne City had been excellent. They didn't
lose all season to all draw to take to Melbourne City,
I'm going to gives them a bit of hope, doesn't it.
And Melbourne Victory looks secure going to Adelaide with that
three one lead. H sorry, coming back home with that
three one lead. Claudia Bunch might get an aggregate hat
trick across the two games. I'm not sure there's even
(36:42):
such a thing, but yeah, well under Claudia Bunch, maybe
it'll be Claudia Bunge and Rebecca Stott facing off in
the Grand Final. And Grace Neville's been promoted Bonnie.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Yes, they were promoted to the Woman's Super League. The
London City Lioness's team who play in the Women's Championship.
The Woman's Super League is obviously the equipped woman's equivalent
to the Premier League, so huge for that club. I
think it's the first time they've ever gone up to
that top division. So it'd be great to see Grace
and Nevillan and amongst the likes of you know, Sam
(37:13):
Kerr and Alicia Russo playing Arsenal and Chelsea and things
like that.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
Very cool for Grace, never well known to her. And
just a word on Tyler Binden. His Reading side couldn't
quite make it into the playoffs, but he's off to
Nottingham Forrest now of course, and he goes as Redding's
Player of the Year. He was awarded that in the
last couple of days. So congratulations to Tyler Binden with
known for a long time, well quite a while anyway,
how good a player he is and could possibly be.
(37:38):
And yeah, reading a bit of the stuff online from
Reading fans, a number of them saying, look, he's the
best defender we've ever had. The kid's only nineteen, for goodness,
so crazy. He could be anything. He could be anything.
So we look forward to tracking his progress as well.
That is us on Football Fever for today. A week
from now, when our next episode comes out, we'll know
(38:00):
who Walkland the FC are facing in their home and
away semi finals, so we'll be able to do some
some more detailed analysis on strengths, weaknesses, threats and things
like that. Bonnie, have an excellent week and we'll we'll
check in again about the same time next Monday.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
We'll see it in Piney
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Faver
Welcome to Football Fever. Hello there, Welcome to the start
of a new week. Welcome into the start of May.
Welcome to a fresh episode of the Football Fever podcast.
I'm Jason Pine with Bonnie Jensen alongside the A League
men's regular season is done, All done, Bonnie, How was
(00:24):
your weekend?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Oh? Not too bad, Piney, I guess the results weren't
great in terms of A league kiwimen's football, but just
really looking forward to to finals footy in the next month,
which will hopefully be a big one for Auckland FC.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Indeed, the top six are confirmed, we'll get into the
elimination finals and what might lie ahead for Auckland FC shortly.
But let's have a look at how they went over
the weekend. As you say, the results certainly went against
the grain as far as Auckland f C are concerned.
Saturday night Western United four, Auckland f C two and
(01:00):
Western United were three MILLI hit at one stage. Third
loss of the season for Auckland FC. There's second to
Western United, so I think we've got a bit of
a bogie team in our midstier. Auckland f C's unbeaten
street stops at fourteen matches. Look, a lot of people
have said to me, hey, is this just they knew
that won? The Premiers played that a few days, enjoying that,
(01:21):
celebrating that this didn't really matter. You write it off?
Is that the way you look at it?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I think so, especially when you go from a sold
out go Media stadium and playing in front of so
many fans here in Auckland and games prior to that
that had been so important to then going over to
Western United, who would have had well five six thousand
people in the crowd of that and probably yeah, just
a bit of a write off game. I think what
(01:49):
was disappointing for me, well, I didn't watch the game
in full because I have to admit I was out
at a party. I feel like some of the attitude,
you know that the heads were down, the attitude maybe
a little bit too arrogant. However, yes, we're going to
look at it. You know, they needed to lose at
some point, they needed to break that losing streak, and
good they do it now and not in the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Yeah, and I don't think it really has a terminal
effect on them. I guess that remains to be seen.
But when they've been so successful and when there was
nothing on this game as far as table position was concerned.
The only thing you would say is that if you
believe in momentum, and some people do and some people don't.
But if you believe in momentum, then the momentum of
(02:33):
fourteen unbeaten matches has been broken. But I don't think
that necessarily means, does it that you just don't come
out the other side and start a different kind of
momentum going into the finals.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What I do wonder is why Kraka stuck with his
same kind of starting eleven he's played with for the
last few weeks. I know we spoke about it last
week that you know, there's too long of a gap
to be resting players because they do have the buy
next week and they want to build that momentum, as
you say, Poney, But I do wonder if maybe giving
(03:06):
some of those younger players a start, they might have
seen a different attitude to a bit of a fight
from the team with a point to prove. You know,
the likes of Liam Gilliam wasn't in the squad again,
Jesse Randall came off the bench. But I just wonder
if some new faces maybe would have given them that boost.
I mean, luckily there were no injuries that I know
of yet, but yeah, that was interesting to me.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Yeah, he had a couple of options, didn't he, Steve Corriker.
He could do what he did and go with the
same team and continue to build what he hoped would
be momentum. Or as you say, he could have freshened
things up. They could have given guys, you know, a
bit of a break, even a guy like Philippe Guygos,
you know, who didn't play last week because of the
injury he picked up against Melbourne victory. He could have
(03:49):
easily said to Philipe guy Goss, look, take another week off.
He's not going to be set back at this stage
of the season. He's got his base fitness, he's not
going to be set back. And as it was, he
came off at halftime anyway, So yeah, look, he could
have given guys who actually came off the bench a start.
He could have started Moreno, he could have started Randall
as you say, he could have brought in guys who
hardly have any hardly had any football at all in
(04:12):
and there wouldn't have been any downside. I don't think
to that. It wasn't as though it was a must
win game. So but Steve Corek has obviously decided, look,
this is the way I'm going to do it. He
lives and dies by his decisions, you know so, and
I guess if you flip it, these players now have
a bit of a bit of a point to prove
next time they go out, which will be an away
(04:35):
semi final in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I would have liked to have seen Michael Vowed at
least get some minutes there. I feel like he was
a little bit probably ripped off at the start of
the season signing thinking he was going to be the
number one. Obviously Alex Paulson took that and rightly so,
but it would have been good to see him get
a run because I doubt they'll try him in the playoffs, unless,
of course, there is an injury to Pulse in touch
(04:57):
would but Piney, do you think that is they're starting eleven?
Speaker 1 (05:01):
It's a good question. I think it depends on who
they play. I think if they play Melbourne victory in
the semi finals, he might do what he did in
the game over there only two or three weeks ago,
and they when they played the back five when they
brought Callon Elliot in they had Sarki, Pinicker, Hall, Devrees
(05:22):
and Elliott. I wonder if they play Melbourne Victory, it
might be one of those horses for courses things where
they know that worked against Victory last time. Other than that,
the only thing I'd say would be would be you know,
are they all in on Marley Francois. It feels as
though Steve Corrikett is pretty much all in on him.
He's started five of the last six games. Now I
(05:45):
wonder whether it's perhaps you know, a Moreno rather than
a Francois that you might see the mata my thing.
I think he again is all in on that. He's
not going to drop the strata. The back five are
pretty set. What would you be doing?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, I probably would start Medano. Like looking at that
goal he's scored on the weekend for Auckland FC, like
another absolute banger. And yes he was he was out injured,
but yeah he's he's such a goal scorer and well,
yes you could look at it and bring him off
the bench and have have that super sub there like
(06:23):
he again proved at the weekend. You want to start
your best, your best to live in, no matter what
position they play. I am in my opinion, So yeah,
I feel like Marley Frants. I've said it, I've said
it before, I'll say it again. He hasn't done enough
for me to deserve that starting spot.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
I think if you take all position out of it,
the strongest eleven is Paulson, Sychai, Pinecker, Hall Devrees, the Strata,
Guy Goss, Moreno, Rogerson Marta. My now, that's tough on
Jake Brummer, who I think is just on the fringes
there of that, maybe he and Guy Goss, maybe a
Cam Howison. But that's the way for me.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
It's for me it's Brimmer instead of Max Mutter. And
is that link between the front three and the midfield.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yep, yep, that's another way. Yep, another way could do it. No,
And it wasn't that long ago that he did that
Max Marter didn't play. Was that that was the game
against Victory. Actually when when Max Marter didn't play, he
might have been carrying an injury. But as you say,
Brimmer played that day and Guy Goss as well as
the back five, So he's got a few little little tweaks.
(07:28):
I think you can probably write down eight or nine
of the players who will start, and then it's what
you do around that, plus what you do with your bench.
So yeah, I guess they can't really specifically plan until
they know who they're playing, and that won't be until
after after Saturday night. Just on Western United, Auckland FC
cannot meet Western United again unless it is than the
(07:50):
Grand Final. I just wonder in a Grand final, which
if it is Auckland f C, Western United would be
in Auckland, whether Western United would just come and completely
without fear having beaten Auckland four to two on the weekend,
having beaten them four nil in Auckland in round nine.
Are they a bogie team? Are they the team that
you are worried most about if you're Auckland FC.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
No, I am not. I don't fear Western United. I
think looking actually at the five teams under Auckland FC,
they would bet the team I'd want to meet the most. Really, yeah,
I feel Adelaide United are arguably more of a bogie team.
Piney because of those two incredible draws we had against
(08:34):
the side that Adelaide United seemed to stand up against
Auckland f C and then Melbourne victory. I've said it before,
so good in the final series always got PTSD from
the match against the Phoenix. Last season, Western Sidney a
on a roll and Melbourne City a Melbourne City. So yeah,
I feel like Western United the team I'd want to
(08:55):
play the most.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Well, okay, that's an interesting way of looking at it,
especially given the results. But you're so right Adelaide United,
where they fell off a cliff, didn't they We've talked,
they did about this after that four all draw, and again,
at the risk of repeating ourselves, we both said that
could be a Grand final Adelaide United. You know, Auckland
FC could be a Grand Final. It's not going to be.
There's no way it can be. Because if Adelaide United
(09:16):
were to beat Western United on Friday night as the
lowest qualifier, they would face Auckland FC in the Semis.
But I think, you know, everyone expected Sydney FC to
get the points, the point in fact they needed in
the last two games to sneak into the top six
didn't happen, so Adelaide un noted. I mean, they were
probably planning mad Monday today, you know. Instead, instead they're
(09:39):
starting a week with a knockout game at the end
of it, and you know what, they could go to
Western United and win that game Adelaide.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Well, that's what I'm thinking, Pointe, And I think I
said it after that that Fairest Wheel game where they
had the Fairest Wheel and they had that four all
draw that I can already picture it. Now. We go
away to Adelaide in the first round of the semi finals,
and then they come back and both games are deadlock,
so we have to go to a penalty shootout. I
can already see it now. So yeah, I don't know.
(10:06):
I'm a bit nervous. Well that's good.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
That's anario as possible. Bonnie. You're right, it's six all
between these two teams. I've had two cracking games, you know,
the one over in Adelaide where what Logan Rogers's scoring
about the one hundredth minute or something to make that
to all and then as you say, the four all,
which was back and forth and back and forth and
for you, round and round on the Fairest Will as
you wrote that piece for the Herald. Okay, well, let's
(10:28):
have a look at what might happen in these in
these elimination finals, then Friday night, Western United will host Adelaide.
Saturday night, Western Sydney will host Melbourne Victory. So the
lowest ranked winner will play Auckland FC. The highest ranked
winner will face Melbourne City in the semi finals. Who
do you think will win? So are you are you
(10:49):
backing Adelaide to beat Western United on Friday night?
Speaker 2 (10:53):
It's in Western United day?
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Yeah, No, I think I think Western United get up,
get up for that one and then the other game
Melbourne Victory. I just think they're too good in this
time of the year.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Okay, Well, in that scenario then it would be Melbourne
Victory who Auckland FC would face home and away. So
your PTSD right got the order right, would kick in
well and truly. Yeah. So the team that Auckland cannot
play in the semis is Western United. They can play
Adelaide United or Western Sydney or Melbourne Victory. So if
(11:28):
you're picking Melbourne Victory to win on Saturday night and
Western United to win on Friday, then we are in
store for a home and away semi final series against
Melbourne Victory.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
What do you think, Parney, what do you think is
going to happen?
Speaker 1 (11:41):
I think Western United will bet Adelaide as well, much
as I would love Adelaide to go through because I
just have really enjoyed the way they play, and I
think it would be almost a bit of a chance
for Carl Vett to give the powers that be at
that club a bit of a middle finger. You know,
they've sacked him effectively, or they haven't renewed him beyond
the sea. Imagine if they beat Western United in the
(12:02):
in the elimination final, get through to the semis. You
know they're and I've said, thanks Carl, but we're going
to go in a different direction. You know, I got
no skin in that game, you know, so, but I
think Western United will probably win. I think Western Sydney
Melbourne victory is an absolute corn flip and absolutely and
is set up for an epic epic game out at
(12:24):
Combak Stadium on Saturday night. Whoever comes through that will
be a worthy semi finalist. Obviously. I think they're both
very dangerous sides. Melbourne victory, we know, you know, with
their attacking threats, but you know, Western Sydney wanderers with
you know, with Nicholas Milanovitch and bojed Ar Krajev Brandon Barrello,
(12:44):
they too are very dangerous. Having said all of that, Bonnie,
whoever Auckland face. Auckland have the best defense in the league,
so they have shown over twenty six games that they
can repel the best attacks in the league.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
But Pineyer defense wins, lead goals, win grand finals.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Yes, you're right there, You're right there, and then you say, okay,
well gives you momi nd Modino.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Ten different goal scorers or something. I think that's the
that's the stat.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Well, I mean, rather than talking vagaries next Monday, we
can talk in absolutes. We can review these two elimination
finals next week on the pod and look forward to
specifically who Aukland FC will play. Now, what we do
know is that the home semi final home and away
the home semifinal will be at six o'clock New Zealand
time on the night of Saturday May twenty fourth. Now
(13:37):
believe tickets for members might go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, today, today,
I believe it all right, and then general sale. I
would not wait around if you are looking for a
ticket for that game. There is absolutely no doubt it
will sell out, may even sell out this week, so
i'd get your tickets if you are keen to go
six o'clock Saturday, May twenty fourth. Now the Grand Final venue,
(13:58):
We've talked about this a bit. The A League media
release yesterday said the final is going to be on
Saturday May thirty one. If it is on that date,
it can't be at Eden Park because the Blues are
playing there that same day. But then there was a
graphic that came out later from the A League that
said the Grand Final is May thirty one to June one,
so across that weekend, so it could be someday. Have
(14:20):
you got any gut feel on where it's going to
be You've got the inside information of where this game,
if it is a Grand Final of Auckland's going to be.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
I don't have any inside information other than that it's
going to be decided in the next week. If it
is in fact going to be in Auckland, obviously we
won't know that till down the track. But I just feel,
which is full speculation, that it'll absolutely be at Eden
Park for two for three reasons. Firstly, I think you
(14:48):
mentioned it to me Piney that Gosford didn't have another
option last year or Central Coast didn't have another option
last year other than Gosford, they wouldn't have traveled to Sydney,
whereas Auckland do have another stadium option. The A League
will want to make as much money as possible and
Auckland FC have been consistently selling out, selling out their
stadium or close to it, so I'm confident they'll be
(15:10):
able to sell out Eden Park. And thirdly, I think
the Australians secretly hate the Kiwis and they want to
give New Zealand as much of a disadvantage as possible
in the final.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Wow. Oh, I'm sure they wouldn't say it like that,
but if you think that's an underlying thing, you.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Think like they don't want Auckland to win it, do they?
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Well, I don't know. I mean I think if you
ask a few supporters of Australian clubs, they think that
Auckland f C have been have been disproportionately glazed by
the by you know, the Australian Football media, the APL
and everybody else. Over the season. It seems like every
social media post for a while was Auckland f C.
(15:51):
But look, it's going to come down to the the
balances this apill want to make, as you directly pointed out,
as much money as possible. Therefore they want the bigger venue.
But Auckland f C, for whatever power they have in
this conversation, want to have it at go Media because
that is their home, that is their fortress. It's just
(16:14):
which which argument or whether that Auckland f C argument
is compelling enough for apl to settle for less money
from ticket sales. That's really what it comes down to.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I think the only way that Auckland f C will
get it across the line is if they know Go
Media offer to put up a temporary stat and on
that on that north side, or maybe remove the slide
that they've had and feel kind of general admission tickets
on that grassy bank. I'm not sure exactly how it
will work, but I think also a massive thing is
(16:46):
having it on that Saturday. That might play in their favor,
because yeah, it'll it'll attracts such a bigger crowd being
on a Saturday than it would that it would on
the Friday or the Sunday.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, okay, we wait and see, and as you say,
they can't wait until after the semi finals. It might
not matter because Auckland might not make it. They have
to make a decision, as you say, probably in the
next week or so, just to say, okay, if Auckland
f C host heres where it's going to because the
venue has to get ready for it, right. You can't
just pull these things together in four or five days.
(17:19):
It's all ahead of us. Auckland FC, we know, have
the weekend off though, and next week it around about
this time we will know the winners of the two
elimination finals and therefore Auckland FC's opponent in their home
and away semis. This is what Lord well from the
(17:41):
highs of finals football to the lows of what we
saw last night at sky Stadium, Wellington Phoenix nil Perth
Glory two. Now, this game was rescheduled from Friday night
Perth couldn't get to Wellington because of some horrendous weather
at the back end of last week in the Capitol.
The game was rescheduled to yesterday. Adam Taggart with both goals,
(18:02):
one in each half, both very good finishes. He's a
quality player. A somewhat fitting end to a very very
disappointing Wellington Phoenix season. Just the one shot on target
all evening Perth had nine. By comparison, fourth straight defeat
to end the season. They've lost to the bottom two
sides in successive weeks without scoring a goal, eleventh on
(18:26):
the table, fourteen points outside the top six. Whichever way
you cut and slice a Bonnie, this was a very
very meek end to what has been a terribly disappointing season.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Pretty underwhelming, wasn't it. I think from the performance on
the pitch it echoed kind of their attitudes and their
decline throughout the season. Also the fans that was not
many people there. I do understand it had been a
pretty shitty weather week in Wellington and probably was a
(18:58):
cold Sunday night, But yeah, not a non an ideal
way to end the season whatsoever. And you can just
tell the attitudes and in the players they're just they're done,
they're checked out. I can't say the same for the
coaching staff, but I do wonder if maybe they jumped
the gun a little bit re signing chiefye so soon.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Well, that is a discussion point. I think that has
been talked about a lot since he was re signed
ten days ago. You know, there's certainly no indication from
the Wellington Phoenix players they were in any way playing
for their coach or anything like that, not that they
have to, but the last couple of games, it's just
such a with nothing on the line, Bondy, you know
(19:37):
that the finals were out of reach. They were playing,
as I say, the bottom two sides in Brisbane and Perth.
You know, why not just have a crack, why not
just give it a go. And it's just I just
just looked like the tanks were empty, and you know,
physically and mentally for the side, the body language was terrible.
You know, there was nothing in the way of a spark. Really,
(19:59):
only a couple of players, you know that I can
think of last night really tried to inject themselves with
any vigor. It was just a really really meek end
to a you know, to to the seat. They just
they just stumbled across the finish line.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
You know, oh, absolutely piny and everything. And I think
I've pointed out the senior players a lot this season
and in terms of you know, they haven't really stood
up and shown with their body language that you know,
to kind of give this team any hope. But perhaps
that was a bit unfear of me. Even last night.
I noticed a lot of the younger players, you know,
(20:36):
walking and like walking on the field and into positions
and just really really lazy attitudes. Again, apologies if that's
too harsh, but that's just how it felt. And even
then when you listen to to Chiefy after the game
and the press conference that you you were at Piney
and even his attitude was was very unmotivated, and yeah,
(20:58):
you got to respect them. It's it's hard to go
out there and do that, but especially with nothing on
the line. But it's their job. They're paid. They paid
good money to be able to be in that position,
so I think, yeah, it's very disappointing. And the fact
that they've got to go now play in the Australian
Cup is what later this month is a bit like, oh,
(21:19):
I bet they bet they're so checked out.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Yeah, I just think they need space from it all.
The contrast is so stark to last year. I mean
you talk about the rain and the wind and that
sort of thing, and I think back to last season
that game against Melbourne victory, not the semi final, but
the one at the back end of the regular season
where Finn Sermon got the goal right at the end
it was pouring down that night. It was an awful night,
(21:44):
and yet people still turned up because of what the
Phoenix were all about last season. Even yesterday at the
start of the game when the team ran out and
the you know, Adam Cooper, our good mate on the
ground announcing, tried to say, yeah, give it, you know,
give it up for your Wellington Phoenix and there was
literally no there, Bonnie. You know it was And I
think back a year to those packed stands, the semi
(22:06):
final with a sollout Zavada's goal, all of that, and
you can't help but compare, you know what, how how
much that has changed in the space of just twelve months,
how different it could be. And this isn't rare in
the A League. You know, teams go through peaks and troughs,
but after the huge highs and positivity of last year
(22:27):
to you know, to what we've we've had to endure. Really,
I mean one win in twelve home games this season,
no wins at home in twenty twenty five. Last season
they lost only one regular season game at home. You know,
the contrast could not be any startup. You're right, they
go to Darwin to play in the Australia Cup on Wednesday.
(22:48):
That's next Wednesday. Then they'll break until preseason starts on
the first of July. They seriously need a refresh of
some sorts. So I've got a couple of questions for
you around this. Do you think cost of Barbarusis will stay.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
I think he should. I wonder if maybe this season
has just burnt him ound and he won't. But I
think in terms of if he wants to put his
best foot forward for the All Whites and the World
Cup next year, he should stay where he's guaranteed minutes
and you know, leads, leads the goal the goal scoring.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Yep. I agree totally with that. He knows that if
he stays, he basically plays every game as he has
this season and has the opportunity to get a lot
of minutes in front of the national coach. I just
think that the other part of that is that he
can't afford I don't think in his mind to be
part of another season like the one we've just had
in terms of, you know, what it's meant for his psyche,
(23:47):
his motivation levels, just you know, being part of a
team that hasn't for the back end of the season
really challenged at all. Like, I absolutely hope he stays.
I think other teams would take him, you know, But
I think there is that degree of uncertainty for Costa.
If he goes somewhere else, does he absolutely guarantee himself
(24:08):
a starting spot for the vast majority of the season.
And that's probably what he has to weigh up at
the moment.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
And let's not forget as well, he is what thirty five,
He probably you know, he's probably got his eyes on
this World Cup, no doubt, but after that, I can't
see him continuing playing for very much longer. So would
to move whereas his family will live, you know, would
to move across the ditch be the best thing for
(24:35):
him at this time in his career, in his life.
I'm not sure, But maybe that's the thing. Maybe he
wants to go even further afar and make a bit
more money.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
He's still very fit and even at thirty five, But
I wonder whether his footballing focus at the moment is
just between now and the end of the World Cup
next year. So he's thinking in terms of a fourteen
fifteen month proper position, and I hope that he comes
to the conclusion that the best way to ensure he's
(25:08):
in the World Cup squad with plenty of minutes under
his belt is to stay in Wellington. He'd have to
be convinced by Chiefee and by Sean Gill, the Director
of football, that there is a plan for next season
to lift them out of what's been a dreadfully inconsistent
and disappointing campaign this time around. If they can convince
(25:28):
him that there is some light at the end of
what's been a dark tunnel, then I think he will
stay for the reasons that you say. You know, you
don't want to be uprooting your family. He's moved a
lot in his career. You know, this is his third
stint in Wellington. I mean different when he was younger
and didn't have a wife and children, but he does now.
You know, they're settled here. So yeah, I mean I
(25:49):
feel like I need to draw him aside and try
and sell Wellington to him.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Yeah, well, that's what I was going to say, Poney,
have you got any insight in terms of what he
might do or win? A decision at least will be made.
He wouldn't have long to decide, would he.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
No. I think his contract will put it this way,
you're paid up until the end of your contract, and
I believe that's May thirty one. It could be June,
it could be June thirty. Anyway, he's currently under contract
until the end of this current A League season, whatever
the date might be. If he doesn't sign an extension,
then he stops getting paid basically, So yes, the answer
(26:24):
is he would have to give them an answer. I
think now that the season's done. He's always said during
the season or the last bit of the season. Now
I'm going to leave that until the end of the season.
I'm focusing on the season at the moment. I make
a decision at the end, So that's come now that
time is now, you know, forget the Australia Cup. You
know thing. I wonder whether we might get a decision
this week even or in the next week to ten days.
(26:47):
I'm sure there'll be other teams in for him, no question,
quality quality a league player. Three hundred and fiftieth game
last night in the A League. Only five other players
have done that. Still banging in the goals, back to
back double figure goal seasons for Costa.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Look, yeah, does he come to Auckland. Imagine the scenes
on Paulson two point zero?
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Would they want? Would they want? Costa?
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Well, the only person you'd probably start him over is
someone like Logan Rogerson, because he wouldn't start over Mike.
I guess he'd probably start over Maxmutter.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, I mean it would be I feel like if
I'm Terry mcflinn, I'm at least picking up the phone.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Oh, surely I might call Cherry after this and ask him, all.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Right, well, maybe you can report back or we're doing
at the moment. I don't have any inside information, no, none.
I haven't spoken to Costa about it. I don't have
any any line into him at all. I just hope
that he stays. Let's go to the imports. Josh Olaway,
Yemmy Kazuki Nagasawa, and hideki A Shiga are all signed
for next season. Now. The question was put to Chiefy
(27:56):
at the press conference last night. Are all of the
imports definitely coming back? We know Scott Woton isn't, so Olowa,
I mean, Nagasawa is Shiga? Are all of the imports
coming back? And he said potentially? So. I mean it's
a very very vague answer, right, So that means that
in the follow up question from Phil Rollo it staff
was so not certainly and chief he said, well, nothing
(28:18):
certain in football. I think they're trying to find a
way out of one or more of these contracts.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Oh they've got to piney like looking at the season
they've had. They absolutely have to and surely you know
Olawa Amy is not going to want to sit on
the bench for another season because I think if if
he does, you know, if he does stay, he is
sitting on the bench. There's there's not a lot between
him and Kelly hild So why wouldn't you start the younger,
(28:45):
younger one who is an academy player. In terms of
the two Japanese imports, the yeah, I don't know. Again,
they haven't had probably as many minutes as they would
have liked. So a tricky wimp. I don't know how
how all that stuff works and how easy it is
for the Phoenix to get out of those contracts.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
You're like, I guess you have to pay them out.
That's how it works. I think if you want to,
if you want to extricate yourself from a contract and
terminate it by mutual consent, I think you have to
pay out the remainder of the contract, so you know
they've got And with josh Olawami, I mean he doesn't
want to sit on the bench, but the Wellington Phoenix
don't want an import sitting on the bench, either goalkeeper
(29:25):
or otherwise. Your imports have said this so often. Your
imports have to be starting players, you know. They you
cannot afford to have your precious five import spots taking
up space on a bench. They need to be pushing
for the starting side or regulars and the starting side.
And again to compare with Auckland, all five imports have
(29:47):
been really really successful. I think one day will come
back into the side and so all five of them
will be in that starting side. And that's the way
that you have to you know, you have to have
to look at this. Would josh Alawayami, Kazuki Nagasawa, Hadecki
Ishiga make any other A League men's side as an import?
(30:08):
They might, but I'm not sure one hundred percent sure
that they would. So yeah, look there's some discussions to
be had there. There's not a lot of regal room
otherwise because there's if they do stay and cost of stays,
then I think that's twenty signed for next season, you
can only have twenty three, so any refreshing of the
squad it becomes a little bit more difficult. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
I also found last night listening to that press conference
audio when Chief he said in response to that question
about the wiggle room in terms of the players locked in,
and he did focus on the fact that the academy
players will all be a little older and a little
wise in next season, so that should hopefully boost up
the squad. And I thought that was a bit short minded,
(30:54):
short sighted of Chief He to say. I think if
he's hoping those academy players, and you know, a lot
of them have done a right and stepped up, the
likes of Isaac Hughes and Matt Sheeron and Corbyn Piper,
if he's focused on those younger boys, I think that's
a little bit concerning because I think they're going to
need a little bit more than that to see, you know,
(31:16):
stark improvement next season.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Interesting times ahead, a lot to work on for jian
Calo Italiano and his coaching staff over the next few months.
Players back, as I say, after the Australian Cup on
July the first for pre season training, the Wellington Phoenix
awards night. The official awards night is tomorrow night. We
thought we'd get in early and give out our awards.
(31:38):
I've asked you to come up with a Player of
the Year and a Young Player of the Year. So
who is your player of Player of the Y for
Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
It was really quite hard to pick, but I'm just
gonna have to go with Costa Barbarusis. I think he
did a lot with what he could. I spoke a
lot throughout the season. There was not a lot, not
much of a link between the midfield and Costa, but
the fact he's still got ten goals off was was
somewhat impressive and obviously scored the first goal that Auckland
(32:10):
f C conceded.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
I had had Costa, but I've gone with Scott Wooton.
I thought, you mate, Yeah, I just think in the
midst of what has been a really challenging time, I
just think we can weak out. He he fronted up
and sort of you know, tried to hold together and
at times very inexperienced a defensive line with you know,
(32:34):
chopping and changing of goalkeepers, of fallbacks of players sitting
in front. You know, he had to sort of I
guess guide the likes of Hughes and Sheridan and others
through his experience. So I've gone Scott Wooton and we
know that he's leaving the club. We know he and
Sam Sutton, I mean still not official, but they are
going to Perth. But I've taken Scott Wotton as player
(32:57):
of the year Young player of the Year. I can
first here if you like, I've gone and.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Shall we say it at the same time?
Speaker 1 (33:03):
Okay? Three to one Corbyn Piper. I don't think there's
any argument there as to a young player and Rookie
of the year. I mean, one of the bright spots
of a dark season, Corbyn Piper coming and he was
asked to play another position last night he was up
at center forward. I think he's played every position apart
(33:23):
from goalkeeper and if Chief is head here to take
the gloves he probably would.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Yeah. Yeah, no's He's done well and I was excited
about that signing at the start of the season. I
think he was snubbed by Auckland FC and they might
be regretting that decision. I'm still not sure what Corbyn
Piper's future looks like where the national team is on
the cards for him, But yeah, I think Wellington will
be a great place for him for the next couple
of seasons, and yeah, I hope he only only continues
(33:50):
to grow.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
All right, just before we leave the Phoenix, what is
the position if you're in the recruitment team at Wellington Phoenix,
if you're looking ahead to next season, what is the
position or maybe even a couple of positions that you
think are most in need of strengthening at the club.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
I think center backs both obviously Scott Wooton going and
then I just don't think Isaac Hughes or Matt Sheridan
a scene near enough or experienced enough to be playing
that center back. I you know, got on them. They
stepped up this year when they needed to, but they
need more experience in those positions. And with Tim Pain
there as well, you know what what a back line
(34:28):
that could be. The other position again I mentioned it
just before, is that attacking midfield role where I'd love
to see a really strong attacking midfield midfielder to help
kind of bridge that gap between Alex Rufer and Costa.
Speaker 1 (34:44):
I had exactly the same positions written down. Yeah, that
the creative for midfielder, you know, they hoped it would
be Marco Rojas, right. That's they signed Marco at the
start of the season with every intention of him being
the creative force in the middle of the park. He
was only fit enough to start two games and take
part in seven games across the season before being released
from his contract early, so that clearly didn't work. But
(35:07):
you know, that creativity that we got from Ben Olden
bogged our cry Eve in particular last year just has
been severely lacking this year. And yeah, Costa Barbarusis for
the most part has had to live off scraps. So yeah,
an attacking midfielder, and I think you're looking for an
import attacking midfielder and probably an import center back as
well to replace Scott Wooten. You know, defense wins championships,
(35:31):
as they say, Bonnie, and I think they probably need
to need to replace Scott Wharton as well as look
for something a bit further up the park. Hey, Ninja
A League semi finals, the Women's A League competition. We've
had the first leg of these and a very good
day out for Claudia Bunge.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
Oh yeah, unreal for Claude obviously football Ferns center back.
She her Melbourne Victory team beat Adelaide United away in
the in the first semi three to one. They went
one kneel down, but Claudia Bunge scored two goals to
take it to three to one. So yeah, really really
(36:08):
incredible if it there. And then also Melbourne City drew
with Central Coast Mariners to all. Melbourne City obviously is
home to also fellow football Ferns center back Rebecca Stott.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
I thought that was a good result for Central Coast,
you know, because Melbourne City had been excellent. They didn't
lose all season to all draw to take to Melbourne City,
I'm going to gives them a bit of hope, doesn't it.
And Melbourne Victory looks secure going to Adelaide with that
three one lead. H sorry, coming back home with that
three one lead. Claudia Bunch might get an aggregate hat
trick across the two games. I'm not sure there's even
(36:42):
such a thing, but yeah, well under Claudia Bunch, maybe
it'll be Claudia Bunge and Rebecca Stott facing off in
the Grand Final. And Grace Neville's been promoted Bonnie.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Yes, they were promoted to the Woman's Super League. The
London City Lioness's team who play in the Women's Championship.
The Woman's Super League is obviously the equipped woman's equivalent
to the Premier League, so huge for that club. I
think it's the first time they've ever gone up to
that top division. So it'd be great to see Grace
and Nevillan and amongst the likes of you know, Sam
(37:13):
Kerr and Alicia Russo playing Arsenal and Chelsea and things
like that.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
Very cool for Grace, never well known to her. And
just a word on Tyler Binden. His Reading side couldn't
quite make it into the playoffs, but he's off to
Nottingham Forrest now of course, and he goes as Redding's
Player of the Year. He was awarded that in the
last couple of days. So congratulations to Tyler Binden with
known for a long time, well quite a while anyway,
how good a player he is and could possibly be.
(37:38):
And yeah, reading a bit of the stuff online from
Reading fans, a number of them saying, look, he's the
best defender we've ever had. The kid's only nineteen, for goodness,
so crazy. He could be anything. He could be anything.
So we look forward to tracking his progress as well.
That is us on Football Fever for today. A week
from now, when our next episode comes out, we'll know
(38:00):
who Walkland the FC are facing in their home and
away semi finals, so we'll be able to do some
some more detailed analysis on strengths, weaknesses, threats and things
like that. Bonnie, have an excellent week and we'll we'll
check in again about the same time next Monday.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
We'll see it in Piney
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Faver
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