April 28, 2025 • 8 mins
"It was special to be a part of it, to be honest."
Former All White Tom Doyle was stoked to be in the stadium when Auckland FC became the first Kiwi team to win the A-League's Premier's Plate.
He shared his insights into how Auckland FC managed this (in just one season!) with Jason Pine on Sportstalk.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Wildergrave
from News Talk z'b.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's bring in form All Whites and Phoenix defending our
Sky Sport commentator and analyst Tom Doyle. Tommy, you were
there last night as part of our coverage on Sky Sport.
What stood out for you in terms of the occasion
last night? First of all, it was.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Just incredible to be there pinting. I mean you were
standing there with me. There was just an emotion around
the stadium with the fans, the players. You start with
Steve Corriker's interviews after the match. You could see how
much it meant to them, but how much it meant
to football in New Zealand I think was the biggest
thing it was. Especially as a former player, it was
special to be a part of it. To be honest.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You live in the Auckland region. You know there hasn't
been a team there for a while. Did you sense
that there was a fan base there just waiting for
a team like this?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Oh? Absolutely, I mean you you'd know as well as
anyone when we came up to Auckland when I was
playing for the Phoenix, we would get you twenty plus
thousand at in Park to come and support them play.
So there were people crying out for a team. I
know in the past Ukron teams haven't necessarily worked out,
but it just felt with all the youngsters getting into
(01:17):
the game and the hype around football now and Auckland
that it was time for them to have a team.
And thank god they did because look at what they're doing.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
This is probably an impossible question to answer quickly, but
what has made Auckland FC let's start on the field
so successful.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
I think I think with the coaching staff. They bought him.
So you've got Denny Hay that came in. He knows
a lot of those KII players. He's worked with him
as well in the All Whites, so for his knowledge
of who's available around the world, not just in the
pool of New Zealand players locally, but also that are
playing in teams overseas, like Logan Rogison players like you know,
(02:01):
you've got de Friese obviously locally, but then Nando Pineker.
The list goes on of players that probably you needed
inside knowledge to know what they could deliver on the field,
but then the foreigners on top of that that their
Boredom have just been absolutely class. Have a foreigner come
into a foreign team in Hirocki Sarkai and captain it
(02:22):
and lead it the way he hasmo My. Again, the
list goes on of quality, quality imports that have made
a massive impact on the team.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Just on the Kiwi pliers, and I think you're absolutely
bang on the importance of the Kiwi players and the
quality of the Kiwi pliers that have been recruited into
this team. Francis de Reese plays the same position used
to play so well for Wellington Phoenix at left back.
Can you give us your assessment of what you've seen
from Francis de Reese in his first A League season.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
I think I've almost said it every single time I've
been asked to do some commentary with him. He's got
a left foot that I can only dream of. I
thought I used to have a good cross on me,
but he's He's got an engine. And the way that
Steve Carriker plays as well with enabling the release of
those fullbacks by overloading it with the midfield of dropping
in gives some license to get forward and unleashes their
(03:13):
foot delivery. And it'd be fair to say he's the
best in the league at doing it. He puts it
on a dime every time, and it allows the strikers
or the other side winger to get into the box
with a knowledge of that ball being delivered time and
time again onto that penalty spot for them to run
an attack. So it almost I'm not sure if they
(03:34):
plan it to go that way, but it by default
became their biggest strength I think, going forward. So I
mean he's had a massive part to play, not just
in one of the best defensive lines or the best
defensive team in the league, but also in their attack
going forward. So I think it's been a massive breakthrough
for his career, especially at the.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Back, at the very back. Alex Paulson, Now, you've played
in front of a lot of goalkeepers, some more competent
than others, some i'm sure who give you more confidence
than others. How much confidence would playing in front of
a goalkeeper of the caliber of Alex Paulson give, not
just a defensive line, but his entire team.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
It goes without saying it's some unbritt a stat yesterday
that he's kept twenty four clean sheets in two seasons.
It's remarkable, but it goes without saying the reason that
they've had such an impressive defensive lineer is because they
all trust each other and having a keeper that not
just dominates in pivotal saves in the match, but then
(04:33):
also just has so much calmness and composure on the
ball that allows him trust to be able to play
back to him to get in shape and know that
he'll be able to pick a pass as opposed to
having to just clear the ball out, which we do
commonly see at times in the A League. But look,
I think I'd love to say that he's going to
stay on shores for fans to watch him in Auckland
(04:54):
for the coming years. But he does feel like a
player that's just going to be on to bigger and
better things and I'm going to be definitely a fan
watching from the sidelines absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
All right, So Premier has plays. That's the regular season.
We move into the finals series. Now, knockout football is
very different from a twenty six game season. How do
you evaluate Auckland FC's style and how effective it will
be when it comes to knockout football.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
It's a great question. Actually, it's going to be a
challenge because they've never been there before. But then again
we were saying that at the start of the season
with being in the league. I think being defensively strong
really put you in good stead if you're leaking goals
going to finals, I usually see those teams struggle but
(05:41):
being so defensively sound, and it feels like they've now
got a bit of arrogance about their attack. I really
am picking them as Grand finalists. I think the time
off as well to recalibrate and obviously shake off having
won you know what they've won already, to then go right,
it's finals time, because no New Zealand team in football
(06:03):
not only have won silverware, but we've always naturally ruggle
when it comes to finals footballs and in that pressure games.
But there's an arrogance about this sal quanteam that I
love and that I think we've lacked in this country
for a while when it comes to football. So look,
I think my money will be on them making it
to the Grand Final, and then it feels like a
(06:24):
flip of the coin at times. It's very hard to
pack who's going to win a Grand Final, But you know,
why not back the homeboys?
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Why not indeed and just on that Grand Final. You've
probably heard these conversations as I have about where that
might be. Obviously, the club itself doesn't get to decide.
Apl who run the league, run the final series and
have the final say on where the Grand Final should be.
There's talk of it being at Eden Park because of
its bigger capacity. Would you prefer to see it stay
(06:51):
at go Media or move to Eden Park?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Look, I understand that they need to potentially look at numbers,
but for me, they've made Mount Smart their home ground.
Taking that away from them I think would be a
big loss. I mean every game I can remember when
we came up from Auckland as a Phoenix player, we
(07:14):
played it Eden part so it almost doesn't feel like
it's got anything to do with the Auckland team. It
sound more like a Phoenix stadium, if I'm being quite frank.
So I think taking that away from them is actually
a massive disadvantage. I know it's out of their control
and they should be really pushing to have it at
Mount Smart, but you know you were there as well
on the weekend. There was nothing like it. The crowd
(07:38):
was humming, they were close to the action. It was
a perfect football environment and I think taking that away
to potentially, you know, a less favorable football stadium, they'll
probably lose that culture that they've created with the fans
and being able to celebrate with them as much.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Yep, I totally agree. Exciting times ahead regardless of the venues.
Loving your work on Sky Sport. Tom, thanks for joining
us tonight.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Mate, Thanks Mine, I appreciate it, mate, No.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
I appreciate your time, Tom, Tom Doyle, There Whites and
Phoenix offender and Sky Sport commentator.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
b from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on
iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Wildergrave
from News Talk z'b.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's bring in form All Whites and Phoenix defending our
Sky Sport commentator and analyst Tom Doyle. Tommy, you were
there last night as part of our coverage on Sky Sport.
What stood out for you in terms of the occasion
last night? First of all, it was.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Just incredible to be there pinting. I mean you were
standing there with me. There was just an emotion around
the stadium with the fans, the players. You start with
Steve Corriker's interviews after the match. You could see how
much it meant to them, but how much it meant
to football in New Zealand I think was the biggest
thing it was. Especially as a former player, it was
special to be a part of it. To be honest.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You live in the Auckland region. You know there hasn't
been a team there for a while. Did you sense
that there was a fan base there just waiting for
a team like this?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Oh? Absolutely, I mean you you'd know as well as
anyone when we came up to Auckland when I was
playing for the Phoenix, we would get you twenty plus
thousand at in Park to come and support them play.
So there were people crying out for a team. I
know in the past Ukron teams haven't necessarily worked out,
but it just felt with all the youngsters getting into
(01:17):
the game and the hype around football now and Auckland
that it was time for them to have a team.
And thank god they did because look at what they're doing.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
This is probably an impossible question to answer quickly, but
what has made Auckland FC let's start on the field
so successful.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
I think I think with the coaching staff. They bought him.
So you've got Denny Hay that came in. He knows
a lot of those KII players. He's worked with him
as well in the All Whites, so for his knowledge
of who's available around the world, not just in the
pool of New Zealand players locally, but also that are
playing in teams overseas, like Logan Rogison players like you know,
(02:01):
you've got de Friese obviously locally, but then Nando Pineker.
The list goes on of players that probably you needed
inside knowledge to know what they could deliver on the field,
but then the foreigners on top of that that their
Boredom have just been absolutely class. Have a foreigner come
into a foreign team in Hirocki Sarkai and captain it
(02:22):
and lead it the way he hasmo My. Again, the
list goes on of quality, quality imports that have made
a massive impact on the team.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Just on the Kiwi pliers, and I think you're absolutely
bang on the importance of the Kiwi players and the
quality of the Kiwi pliers that have been recruited into
this team. Francis de Reese plays the same position used
to play so well for Wellington Phoenix at left back.
Can you give us your assessment of what you've seen
from Francis de Reese in his first A League season.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
I think I've almost said it every single time I've
been asked to do some commentary with him. He's got
a left foot that I can only dream of. I
thought I used to have a good cross on me,
but he's He's got an engine. And the way that
Steve Carriker plays as well with enabling the release of
those fullbacks by overloading it with the midfield of dropping
in gives some license to get forward and unleashes their
(03:13):
foot delivery. And it'd be fair to say he's the
best in the league at doing it. He puts it
on a dime every time, and it allows the strikers
or the other side winger to get into the box
with a knowledge of that ball being delivered time and
time again onto that penalty spot for them to run
an attack. So it almost I'm not sure if they
(03:34):
plan it to go that way, but it by default
became their biggest strength I think, going forward. So I
mean he's had a massive part to play, not just
in one of the best defensive lines or the best
defensive team in the league, but also in their attack
going forward. So I think it's been a massive breakthrough
for his career, especially at the.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Back, at the very back. Alex Paulson, Now, you've played
in front of a lot of goalkeepers, some more competent
than others, some i'm sure who give you more confidence
than others. How much confidence would playing in front of
a goalkeeper of the caliber of Alex Paulson give, not
just a defensive line, but his entire team.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
It goes without saying it's some unbritt a stat yesterday
that he's kept twenty four clean sheets in two seasons.
It's remarkable, but it goes without saying the reason that
they've had such an impressive defensive lineer is because they
all trust each other and having a keeper that not
just dominates in pivotal saves in the match, but then
(04:33):
also just has so much calmness and composure on the
ball that allows him trust to be able to play
back to him to get in shape and know that
he'll be able to pick a pass as opposed to
having to just clear the ball out, which we do
commonly see at times in the A League. But look,
I think I'd love to say that he's going to
stay on shores for fans to watch him in Auckland
(04:54):
for the coming years. But he does feel like a
player that's just going to be on to bigger and
better things and I'm going to be definitely a fan
watching from the sidelines absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
All right, So Premier has plays. That's the regular season.
We move into the finals series. Now, knockout football is
very different from a twenty six game season. How do
you evaluate Auckland FC's style and how effective it will
be when it comes to knockout football.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
It's a great question. Actually, it's going to be a
challenge because they've never been there before. But then again
we were saying that at the start of the season
with being in the league. I think being defensively strong
really put you in good stead if you're leaking goals
going to finals, I usually see those teams struggle but
(05:41):
being so defensively sound, and it feels like they've now
got a bit of arrogance about their attack. I really
am picking them as Grand finalists. I think the time
off as well to recalibrate and obviously shake off having
won you know what they've won already, to then go right,
it's finals time, because no New Zealand team in football
(06:03):
not only have won silverware, but we've always naturally ruggle
when it comes to finals footballs and in that pressure games.
But there's an arrogance about this sal quanteam that I
love and that I think we've lacked in this country
for a while when it comes to football. So look,
I think my money will be on them making it
to the Grand Final, and then it feels like a
(06:24):
flip of the coin at times. It's very hard to
pack who's going to win a Grand Final, But you know,
why not back the homeboys?
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Why not indeed and just on that Grand Final. You've
probably heard these conversations as I have about where that
might be. Obviously, the club itself doesn't get to decide.
Apl who run the league, run the final series and
have the final say on where the Grand Final should be.
There's talk of it being at Eden Park because of
its bigger capacity. Would you prefer to see it stay
(06:51):
at go Media or move to Eden Park?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Look, I understand that they need to potentially look at numbers,
but for me, they've made Mount Smart their home ground.
Taking that away from them I think would be a
big loss. I mean every game I can remember when
we came up from Auckland as a Phoenix player, we
(07:14):
played it Eden part so it almost doesn't feel like
it's got anything to do with the Auckland team. It
sound more like a Phoenix stadium, if I'm being quite frank.
So I think taking that away from them is actually
a massive disadvantage. I know it's out of their control
and they should be really pushing to have it at
Mount Smart, but you know you were there as well
on the weekend. There was nothing like it. The crowd
(07:38):
was humming, they were close to the action. It was
a perfect football environment and I think taking that away
to potentially, you know, a less favorable football stadium, they'll
probably lose that culture that they've created with the fans
and being able to celebrate with them as much.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Yep, I totally agree. Exciting times ahead regardless of the venues.
Loving your work on Sky Sport. Tom, thanks for joining
us tonight.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Mate, Thanks Mine, I appreciate it, mate, No.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
I appreciate your time, Tom, Tom Doyle, There Whites and
Phoenix offender and Sky Sport commentator.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
b from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on
iHeartRadio
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