Stefan Colakovski: Wellington Phoenix forward previews the clash against Auckland FC

They're there for the taking. 

That's how Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has assessed Auckland FC ahead of this evening's A-League derby at Mount Smart Stadium. 

The 'Nix were beaten two-nil when the sides first met, while Auckland are top of the table and unbeaten in five games and Wellington are fourth. 

Italiano believes Auckland are lucky to remain unbeaten thus far. 

D'Arcy catches up with Phoenix forward Stefan Colakovski to preview the clash.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk SEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
They've got an Australian who's black and yellow. Black and yellow.
Stefan Kolakowski joins us now looking ahead to the derby mate,
how are you mate?

Speaker 3 (00:22):
How are you?

Speaker 2 (00:23):
I'm happy as a clam and I expect you'll be
more than just a tad excited derby football. This is
one of the big things, for the big reasons you play,
I expect.

Speaker 3 (00:34):
I think every player wants to play in front of
a big crowd, and there's going to be a big
crowd tonight, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
You guys haven't done much in the last couple of
weeks since you buy. What have you been up to?
What have you been doing in your not spare time?
How much has Chief you been thrashing with a stick?

Speaker 3 (00:52):
Well, not as I wouldn't say he's been doing that,
but I would say just, you know, getting extra fitness in.
I think that's what these guys are for, especially you know,
for myself, I missed out on a big chunk of preseason,
so these buyers coming in earlier are good for me
to build up a bit of fitness.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
So personally and when it comes to your fitness, where
are you feeling there? Is it your legs? Are you
getting a stitch? Are you passing out?

Speaker 3 (01:18):
Now?

Speaker 2 (01:18):
Do you know you're not exactly as fit as you
could be.

Speaker 3 (01:22):
Definitely not passing out or getting a stitch. But I
think any any player knows you know, when you miss
a when you miss a big chunk of preseason, it
takes a little while to to get back to full
speed and you know, to full sharpness and everything. But
I would say, now you know, I'm ready to go.
I feel one hundred and now all I want to

(01:45):
do is play games.

Speaker 2 (01:46):
It's been an astonishing season for the Auckland has been
for the Wellingtonians as well. You guys have hit the
ground running both teams. But I suspect there's a tiny
bit of revenge playing around in your mind after they
beat you at your place in the first Dabby of course.

Speaker 3 (02:02):
Yeah, like that was. It was not a nice feeling
to lose, and you know, especially being our home game.
But you know, now we go there and we go
full of confidence. You know, Auckland a brilliant side and
they've had a really strong start, but you know we
we're back ourselves and you know, in front of a

(02:22):
big crowd like that, we know we can still get
the three points.

Speaker 2 (02:27):
You've experienced premiership victory before a league championship victory. At least.
Are there any similarities between what's going on this season
under Chief and the team for what you've played back
in the Melbourne City days.

Speaker 3 (02:40):
Funnily enough, I do see some comparisons. Mainly, you know,
in the team culture. I think there's a good, a
great team culture. I should say a good a good
bunch of older boys who experienced and great young players
who you know, want to listen and learn. So I
think it's a great balance. And I think that's similar

(03:02):
to our Melbourne City team that was so successful.

Speaker 2 (03:05):
It's Stephan instructions from the man upstairs. What solid does
he want you to look after? What does he need
you to represent? Put down? What does he want?

Speaker 3 (03:14):
What does he want I think he wants I think
he wants me to assist the score a goal. I
just run as much as I can and do whatever
the team needs. So yeah, I think just follow the
team plan and I know I can do that.

Speaker 2 (03:33):
Far as gelling with the other players that you've been around.
Didn't you just beat off to Perth for a while,
didn't you after after Melbourne? So you understand what it's
like trying to gel with a new bunch of players.
How's that operated for you?

Speaker 3 (03:45):
To be honest, that's being pretty easy. I mean it's
a great bunch of boys. So within a week I
felt already, you know, this is this is home for
the season. So the boys were very welcoming, and yeah,
it's been really easy to gel, to be honest.

Speaker 2 (04:00):
And life in well in town, how's that treating you?

Speaker 3 (04:04):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (04:04):
Good?

Speaker 3 (04:04):
I mean, you know not can't compare the weather to
Perth well was before. But to be honest, the city
is pretty cool, you know, almost like a little Melbourne.
That's the bars, restaurants, cafes, So yeah, I really enjoy it.

Speaker 2 (04:20):
And Melbourne has got some culture. When it comes to that,
we all well know. So as far as the coffee
is concerned, this is the most important thing here. This
is what they're most proud of. How's the coffee compared
to home?

Speaker 3 (04:32):
Well, to be honest, I don't drink coffee. I can't
even compare.

Speaker 2 (04:37):
Well, okay, that's fine. All I want is an honest answer,
are you That's the main thing. And finally, first and foremost,
who are you guys looking toward beside the captain to
really left? If you designated a guy that you know
is on the way up and is going to lead
from the front, even not with.

Speaker 3 (04:54):
The armband, I don't think it's I think everyone has
to step up. I mean, I think if you want
to win derby games, but more importantly win you championships,
you need everyone to up. It can't just be the
captain or the older boys. You know. Obviously we've got
cost Scottie, Wooden Payney and other experienced players. But I

(05:17):
think everyone needs to pull their weight and that's the
only way we're going to do well this season.

Speaker 2 (05:21):
What about craft beer? Do you drink craft beer? I'm
going finding out what hydrates you now? Sorry to carry on,
but really you don't drink coffee? What about craft beer?

Speaker 3 (05:30):
Maybe a Gin and Tonic will do me good after
a win this weekend, but no beer for me. It
gets me too bloated.

Speaker 2 (05:37):
Mate, You're so cultured. I love it. Enjoy your g
and T at the end of a victory the local derby.
You've got it coming. Stephan and thanks so much for
your time and we bid you farewell, mister Kolakowski. Play well,
play hard, play fear good on you.

Speaker 3 (05:53):
Thank you very much, thanks for having me.

Speaker 1 (05:55):
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