Source: Radio New Zealand
FOR SUNDAY MORNING
The Wellington Phoenix women reached the A-League grand final for the first time in the 2025-26 season. JOEL CARRETT/PHOTOSPORT
The Wellington Phoenix women started this A-League season with a two-year project in mind. The plan was on fast forward when the club reached the grand final for the first time in the club’s history, but there was a speed bump in Melbourne.
A 3-1 loss to Melbourne City in the grand final on Saturday ended the Phoenix’s season without silverware.
In playing finals football for the first time in their five seasons in the competition, the Phoenix were finally among the top sides after four seasons closer to the bottom than the top.
Coach Bev Priestman in her first year in the job had instilled belief that the team could be competitive.
After the grand final defeat Priestman could see the bigger picture.
“We don’t want to just be a one-hit wonder in a grand final,” Priestman said.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure we are back here next year, and we come back and this grand final is no longer new to this group and we can cope with that occasion and hopefully give a better account of ourselves.”
Grace Jale (centre) celebrates after scoring a goal during the semi-final match against Brisbane Roar. AAP / Photosport
She was “super proud” of what they had achieved in an injury-hit 2025-26 season but said when they were on the biggest stage they were not at their best.
“We never gave up, which I think is important. But it wasn’t our best night and I think to beat City with their experience in a grand final, you have to be at your best and we weren’t.
“But what I would say is it doesn’t define our season.”
The experienced coach wanted to channel the inevitable “hunger” that the returning players would have from falling short in the last game of the season for year two of the project.
“I’ve seen people be at their best when they’re hungry and I think this leaves a little bit on us and in many ways it might help us next year, to push to another level.
“I’ve got an ambitious club…when we turn up in pre-season for next season, we all know what could have been and I think what you learn about people in difficult moments is those who then grab it by the scruff of the neck and push forward.
“So I think I’ve got a very dedicated, humble group of players who all wanted the best for the club.”
The Phoenix had become a team this season that piqued the interest of players who might have overlooked the club from the capital in the past.
While many of the squad wanted to come back next season, Priestman knew others would be getting in touch too.
With the blueprint of how to get to the top already in place, Priestman now had the off-season to plot how the club would build on the history they created.
“The bar’s gone up, right, I think we all see something bigger.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand