The Wellington Phoenix are looking to gain momentum in the final stretch of the A-League season.
A run of three straight away games, interrupted by next week’s international break, begins with a trip to Brisbane this Saturday.
Head coach Chris Greenacre enjoyed his first win against Perth last weekend and is treating it as an important component.
“That performance against Perth will give us a lot of confidence,” he told the media before the match.
“We’ve been building for three or four weeks. I keep reiterating little steps, but that’s what it is.
“I’m looking for a better performance against Brisbane. We’re starting to see glimpses of what I want to see from my team in the future.”
While Nix created several chances in the 2-0 win, Greenacre was even happier with the defensive performance and clean sheet.
“We were quite vulnerable when I came in, conceding goals. We’re starting to reinforce that a little bit.
“When there is a clean sheet, you give yourself a chance in any game.
“With the firepower we have, we have shown that we are a real threat. I still want to continue creating more and more chances than we have in recent weeks, and I will always strive to want that from the team.
“We worked hard to implement this, particularly in the top third. But it starts with a clean sheet.”
An early start presents its own challenges, particularly as the weather forecast predicts a hot and humid afternoon in Brisbane.
“The calendar is what it is, we will not use it as an excuse, I am not that type of coach.
“We have known for a long time that the start will be at two o’clock, so we are more than prepared for it.
“The boys at this stage of the season are flying with their fitness levels, it’s about their performance and what we do over the 90 minutes when we get there.
“Hopefully it will be a positive result for us.”
With the Roar and Phoenix tied on points, it’s shaping up to be a crucial game.
“For us it will probably be a cup final in every game until the end of the season, the traditional six-point game.
“There is no difference in our preparation, we still want to have the winning mentality.
“All the teams have lacked consistency, we are all in the same boat. The team that is most consistent will get its reward at the end of the year.
They have a couple of guys injured, crucial players for them and also a couple of suspensions.
“They are a team that can really surprise you in transition. They have shown that they have been a threat. They are a committed team and will work hard until the end.”
And getting their first win away from home is the next step for Greenacre in the hunt for the top six.
“It is notorious that, with the distances we cover, it has always been difficult to get points away from home.
“If we want to be strong contenders, we have to do it and there is no better time than the present.
“We’re looking forward to it and it gives us a chance to test our strength within the group. We’re getting bodies back and hopefully we can be good in the mix.”
The Isuzu UTE A-League Round 22 match between Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar is scheduled to kick off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium at 5pm (2pm AEST) on Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: January 3, 2026 – Brisbane Roar 0 Wellington Phoenix 3
A-League all-time head-to-head: Phoenix 15W, Roar 22W and 16D.
Wellington Phoenix Team (two will be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 16. Sander KARTUM, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk).
Not available: 9. Sarpreet SINGH (injured), 19. Nathan WALKER (injured).
Brisbane Roar Team (two will be omitted): 1. Dean BOUZANIS (gk), 2. Youstin Delfin SALAS GOMEZ, 3. Dimitri VALKANIS, 5. Marius LODE, 6. Austian LUDWIK, 7. Jacob BRAZETE, 8. Samuel KLEIN, 10. Georgios VRAKAS, 11. Macklin FREKE (gk), 13. Henry HORE, 16. Matthew DENCH, 17. Justin VIDIC, 19. Michael RUHS, 23. James MCGARRY, 26. James O’SHEA, 30. Quinn MACNICOL, 39. Naill THOM, 40. George PLUSNIN, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 50. Oscar PAGE.
Not available: 9. Christopher LONG (injured), 15. Hosine BILITY (injured), 22. Nathan AMANATIDIS (injured), 25. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (injured), 77. Milorad STAJIC (injured).
Cover Photo Credit: Photomac/Cam McIntosh