Eze, Rufer, Arniento, LBS would have a chance to the make the bench (not guaranteed).
That’s about it if I’m being brutally honest and realistic.
Although we haven’t really seen enough of him yet.
Interesting that both have the same type of profile, good enough to be signed by MLS clubs and transfer fees paid, but didn’t/haven’t yet been good enough to crack it there and have returned to the A league.
You never know, if Billy T comes down under he may tear it up
Auckland will rise once more
Interesting that both have the same type of profile, good enough to be signed by MLS clubs and transfer fees paid, but didn’t/haven’t yet been good enough to crack it there and have returned to the A league.
You never know, if Billy T comes down under he may tear it up
The only AL players who really have played in recent times have been Payne and De Vries. Both have had critics here as has Bill.
Bill is hard to judge for two reasons:
1: He has had virtually no game time the last two years and I think with his big boned Polynesian physique he has to play to get and be fit. He would get that in the A league.
2: He is not a right back and I don’t think has actually played that position much during his career apart from with the All Whites. Started off as a defensive midfielder before moving to centre back with his best time in the MLS being in the centre of defence. You don’t have to watch much of him to know he shouldn’t be playing at right back but due to this being a historical problem area for the All Whites he has been shoe horned in there.
Personally I think he would do really well in the A league - at centre of defence.
Auckland will rise once more
The only AL players who really have played in recent times have been Payne and De Vries. Both have had critics here as has Bill.
Bill is hard to judge for two reasons:
1: He has had virtually no game time the last two years and I think with his big boned Polynesian physique he has to play to get and be fit. He would get that in the A league.
2: He is not a right back and I don’t think has actually played that position much during his career apart from with the All Whites. Started off as a defensive midfielder before moving to centre back with his best time in the MLS being in the centre of defence. You don’t have to watch much of him to know he shouldn’t be playing at right back but due to this being a historical problem area for the All Whites he has been shoe horned in there.
Personally I think he would do really well in the A league - at centre of defence.
Though that's from a small 6-7 game sample size, given he mostly sat on the pine.
If he can find a club at a reasonable level, increase his fitness levels, he's a strong chance of WC selection. Baze likes him but said he yes needs to get fitter. Years of experience, familiar with playing in North America, and would hopefully offer a genuine goal scoring threat if coming on for Payne, and the AWs need a late goal.
Elliot is currently playing well, but unfortunately for him Sakai will likely become AFC's regular starter again soon.
BT has a bit more potential X factor compared to Callan E. And against the better teams where the AWs struggle to score, I think is just higher chance BT could come on as a sub and deliver a moment of magic. Few better headers of a ball in the AWs than Tuiloma, plus can blast a free kick in from distance.
Auckland will rise once more
No pretty sure they didn't. Tuiloma had a run of starts at RB, when Charlotte had some injuries. Then he got his own hammy injury, and when fit couldn't break back into the run on side.
https://us.soccerway.com/game/charlotte-fc-QJF7WTFB/fc-cincinnati-8btog05R/summary/lineups/?mid=G6PwluQ8
Boxy's Minny & Surman's Portland yes both often played with a back 3/5, especially Minny.
I don't believe this. Rory was good - in his time.
It’s just a job.
Three for me, and two for them.
It’s just a job.
Them ones I don't miss.
In the immortal words of Pinball Cha-Cha by Yello:
".... it may be just a game for you, for me it's everything I've got"
https://open.spotify.com/track/2mstXrzEAEEuGQMxUbf2Ij
Congratulations to @fc_auckland on being a finalist for Team of the Year at the ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards 2025 🏆 pic.twitter.com/nHFFDS6myV
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) December 18, 2025
Western Sydney Wanderers v Auckland FC
Friday, December 19 – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 6:00pm AEDT
2. Gabriel CLEUR, 4. Alexander BONETIG, 5. Dylan SCICLUNA, 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 8. Steven UGARKOVIC, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 19. Ruon TONGYIK, 20. Lawrence THOMAS, 21. Aydan HAMMOND, 22. Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS, 23. Bozhidar KRAEV, 24. Nathan BARRIE, 25. Joshua BRILLANTE, 30. Jordan HOLMES, 31. Aidan SIMMONS, 32. Angus THURGATE, 39. Awan LUAL, 45. Alou KUOL
Ins: 24. Nathan BARRIE
Outs:
Unavailable: 3. Alex GERSBACH (injury)
1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Oliver MIDDLETON, 20. Oli SAIL, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 77. LACHLAN Brook
Ins:
Outs:
Unavailable:
Congratulations to @fc_auckland on being a finalist for Team of the Year at the ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards 2025 🏆 pic.twitter.com/nHFFDS6myV
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) December 18, 2025
Wouldn't it be ironic that the first football related winner of a Halberg in NZ would be AFC.
Queenslander 3x a year.
Congratulations to @fc_auckland on being a finalist for Team of the Year at the ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards 2025 🏆 pic.twitter.com/nHFFDS6myV
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) December 18, 2025
Wouldn't it be ironic that the first football related winner of a Halberg in NZ would be AFC.
All Whites won it in 2010 didn’t they?
Three for me, and two for them.
Auckland will rise once more
It was a good way to find out who the f-wits and dickheads were. One of the rowers particularly. The ones whose sport is heavily subsidised because it get medals as it isn’t a truly worldwide sport.
Big one tonight. 💪
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 18, 2025
10pm KO on Sky Sport 1. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/4t6ASY3g72
THE LARGEST WATER FIGHT IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE 💦
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 22, 2025
- Jan 1 | Go Media Stadium
- Auckland FC v Newcastle Jets
BYO towel & expect carnage.
Get your tickets now. 🎟️https://t.co/Q2BD79NSA6.. pic.twitter.com/31in6M4eKz
just doent work in a concrete jungle like we have at Wgtn.
Although I should complain that it's really hard to see who is playing and the date and time for the waterfght are tiny! lol
Queenslander 3x a year.
That is where I imagine most of the shooting will happen and is definitely something Wellington could do.
It does bring back my youth.
Maybe vodka in water pistol may get past security on that day?
Surely they can’t be checking all water pistols and asking they are emptied?
Auckland will rise once more
Queenslander 3x a year.
I’m sure that’s where most of it will go down anyway
Auckland will rise once more
Queenslander 3x a year.
