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WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

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about 11 hours ago

The current Paramount media rights deal expires at the end of this A League season.

I imagine all the clubs are waiting to see how the new deal will look, before compiling their budgets for season 2026/27.
The current $550K APL club annual disbursements are absolute rubbish.

I wouldn't get confident on the Welnix owners 'opening the wallets' without a significant improvement in that APL disbursement. Lets also not forget the Nix have had no player transfer income for nearly 2 years now (Fraser, Old, Surman & Paulsen sold), and crowds have been moderate.

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about 11 hours ago

I think we have to be a little realistic with any expectations for our 20th season. The money from the APL is till gonna be small, so any investment is going to come from the owners. Will they want to spend heaps after not seeing results the last time they dug deep? Either way it's likely we'll see a bit of squad rotation, plenty of players' contracts are ending so we could see the new coach looking to fill some big gaps.
Rufer in particular - he's had a pretty decent season this year and only seems to be getting better (at least in Aleague terms)
Josh O, Eze, James, Nagasawa - 4 import slots, plus Kartum when his loan finishes.
McCarron, Edwards, Supyk, Naijarine, Armiento, Conchie, Retre, Mileusnic - all finish in June 26. That's most of our back up/bench players.

Replacing all of those with either starters or squaddies is going to take some time, sure we have the longest off season to achieve all of this, but it could well be a tense few 5 months of waiting. My only hope is that the club ownership resolve the manager issue fast. Maily so we are not waiting but also so whoever it is can rebuild the squad as they want it.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 11 hours ago

ballane wrote:
Personally i would much prefer to see some new talent brought in than a rehash of guys who have been here before. Dont think we should be bringing guys back unless they are likely to be definite starters last thing we need is more guys coming off the bench.
Think we just gotta hope being our 20th season the Welnix guys loosen the purse strings.

I'd definitely want us to target more starting quality locals but there is definitely less options out there. If we have 5 visa spots to use and keep Rufer, the only positions to upgrade with a local player would be LB if we use visa slot somewhere else or 10 if we can get someone better to start over LBS and GK.

The starting quality NZ players we could possibly get would be: Singh, Waine and Bayliss.

And for Aussies: Devlin, Silvera, Cummings, Hrustic, Dukuly, Taylor, Yull. All coming off contract at the end of the season. But can't really see any of them coming here.

So I'd say most of the local signings will be younger players or experienced players for bench/squad roles.

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about 11 hours ago

ballane wrote:
Personally i would much prefer to see some new talent brought in than a rehash of guys who have been here before. Dont think we should be bringing guys back unless they are likely to be definite starters last thing we need is more guys coming off the bench.
Think we just gotta hope being our 20th season the Welnix guys loosen the purse strings.

GSR still has a year and from memory Walker has 2 to go

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about 11 hours ago

wilbaker wrote:
ballane wrote:
Personally i would much prefer to see some new talent brought in than a rehash of guys who have been here before. Dont think we should be bringing guys back unless they are likely to be definite starters last thing we need is more guys coming off the bench.
Think we just gotta hope being our 20th season the Welnix guys loosen the purse strings.
I'd definitely want us to target more starting quality locals but there is definitely less options out there. If we have 5 visa spots to use and keep Rufer, the only positions to upgrade with a local player would be LB if we use visa slot somewhere else or 10 if we can get someone better to start over LBS and GK.

The starting quality NZ players we could possibly get would be: Singh, Waine and Bayliss.

And for Aussies: Devlin, Silvera, Cummings, Hrustic, Dukuly, Taylor, Yull. All coming off contract at the end of the season. But can't really see any of them coming here.

So I'd say most of the local signings will be younger players or experienced players for bench/squad roles.
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 11.26.11 AM.png 400.89 KB

Kosta no thanks - even as a back up, if he's gonna be a bench warmer we may as well Have Supyyk there.
LBS bneing the starter at 18? could be stretch for him
Rufer is rumoured to be leabing at the end of his contact in June and Cassidy is in no way ready to be the starter. So that leaves our midfield empty.
defensive liune is probably sport on.
If AKH is gonna be hte starter the Sail isnt gonna want to sit on the bench for us, he's been there done that - besides I dont think many of us would welcome hiom back.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 10 hours ago

Footballtragic wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Should also add that the midfield rebuild is going to be massive - Even more-so if Rufer leaves. Currently only LBS as an attacking option and Anaru Cassidy signed up beyond the end of this season, and Cassidy is not A-League level.

Could probably look to sign someone like Hayden Thomas on a scholarship deal from the Ressie's squad to fill out the #'s, but otherwise that is a massive hole in the squad. Would Tuiloma be a candidate to move up to a DM if Ruf's is off?
What about GSR and Nathan Walker?

Chuck them in then.

I left both out on purpose as I see them as more out and out wingers than anything. Although GSR can come in and play more centrally.

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about 9 hours ago

Thankfully cant see Kosta coming back not sure things ended that well last time. Wouldnt be surprised at all to see Welnix surprise us and spend some money on the squad (yes yes im trying to project positive thoughts).
I doubt very much they want the 20th season to be a HoHum season

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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about 9 hours ago · edited about 9 hours ago · History

theprof wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
ballane wrote:
Personally i would much prefer to see some new talent brought in than a rehash of guys who have been here before. Dont think we should be bringing guys back unless they are likely to be definite starters last thing we need is more guys coming off the bench.
Think we just gotta hope being our 20th season the Welnix guys loosen the purse strings.
I'd definitely want us to target more starting quality locals but there is definitely less options out there. If we have 5 visa spots to use and keep Rufer, the only positions to upgrade with a local player would be LB if we use visa slot somewhere else or 10 if we can get someone better to start over LBS and GK.

The starting quality NZ players we could possibly get would be: Singh, Waine and Bayliss.

And for Aussies: Devlin, Silvera, Cummings, Hrustic, Dukuly, Taylor, Yull. All coming off contract at the end of the season. But can't really see any of them coming here.

So I'd say most of the local signings will be younger players or experienced players for bench/squad roles.
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 11.26.11 AM.png 400.89 KB

Kosta no thanks - even as a back up, if he's gonna be a bench warmer we may as well Have Supyyk there.
LBS bneing the starter at 18? could be stretch for him
Rufer is rumoured to be leabing at the end of his contact in June and Cassidy is in no way ready to be the starter. So that leaves our midfield empty.
defensive liune is probably sport on.
If AKH is gonna be hte starter the Sail isnt gonna want to sit on the bench for us, he's been there done that - besides I dont think many of us would welcome hiom back.

What are people's thoughts on David Yoo or Ryan Feutz from SIU? Both kiwi's and both performing in the OFC Pro league.

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about 9 hours ago

djtim3000 wrote:
theprof wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
ballane wrote:
Personally i would much prefer to see some new talent brought in than a rehash of guys who have been here before. Dont think we should be bringing guys back unless they are likely to be definite starters last thing we need is more guys coming off the bench.
Think we just gotta hope being our 20th season the Welnix guys loosen the purse strings.
I'd definitely want us to target more starting quality locals but there is definitely less options out there. If we have 5 visa spots to use and keep Rufer, the only positions to upgrade with a local player would be LB if we use visa slot somewhere else or 10 if we can get someone better to start over LBS and GK.

The starting quality NZ players we could possibly get would be: Singh, Waine and Bayliss.

And for Aussies: Devlin, Silvera, Cummings, Hrustic, Dukuly, Taylor, Yull. All coming off contract at the end of the season. But can't really see any of them coming here.

So I'd say most of the local signings will be younger players or experienced players for bench/squad roles.
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 11.26.11 AM.png 400.89 KB

Kosta no thanks - even as a back up, if he's gonna be a bench warmer we may as well Have Supyyk there.
LBS bneing the starter at 18? could be stretch for him
Rufer is rumoured to be leabing at the end of his contact in June and Cassidy is in no way ready to be the starter. So that leaves our midfield empty.
defensive liune is probably sport on.
If AKH is gonna be hte starter the Sail isnt gonna want to sit on the bench for us, he's been there done that - besides I dont think many of us would welcome hiom back.

What are people's thoughts on David Yoo or Ryan Feutz from SIU? Both kiwi's and both performing in the OFC Pro league.

Yeah was just going to ask what people thought of Feutz, had a good season in NPL NSW too.

What about Owen Smith too? Was Miramar player of the season last year and has the most assists in the pro league this year.

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about 8 hours ago

The mere suggestion we might be re-signing Oluwayemi worries me. Can't say I'm looking forward to another season having kittens every time the ball goes near him. There are Aus and Kiwi keepers around of at least equivalent ability that could do the job and free up a valuable import slot.

I know a lot depends on the cap but if the club wants to make any impact next season it really needs to be brutal and offload guys like Mlieusnic, Edwards, Najarine and Retre. Finding replacements is of course easier said than done but if Greenie is confirmed as coach, which I expect him to be, then he and his staff will have plenty of time to source some talent. Of all the suggestions I've seen Kraev would certainly get a thumbs up from me.

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about 8 hours ago · edited about 8 hours ago · History

I think with likes of Feutz, Owen Smith and David Yoo you bring them in for a trial week, and Greeny can have a close up look at them.
That's basically what happened with Piper.

The Newcastle Jets bought Feutz in last pre season for a trial period.

I imagine it will depend alot on what Weenix guys are coming through, and who has the identified potential to step up in the next season or so. You think they will let Luke Supyk go. He's been around the first team for 2-3 years now, and really shown nothing to suggest he's near A League level. Greeny knows the Academy youngster talent pool better than anyone.

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about 7 hours ago

wilbaker wrote:
djtim3000 wrote:
theprof wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
ballane wrote:
Personally i would much prefer to see some new talent brought in than a rehash of guys who have been here before. Dont think we should be bringing guys back unless they are likely to be definite starters last thing we need is more guys coming off the bench.
Think we just gotta hope being our 20th season the Welnix guys loosen the purse strings.
I'd definitely want us to target more starting quality locals but there is definitely less options out there. If we have 5 visa spots to use and keep Rufer, the only positions to upgrade with a local player would be LB if we use visa slot somewhere else or 10 if we can get someone better to start over LBS and GK.

The starting quality NZ players we could possibly get would be: Singh, Waine and Bayliss.

And for Aussies: Devlin, Silvera, Cummings, Hrustic, Dukuly, Taylor, Yull. All coming off contract at the end of the season. But can't really see any of them coming here.

So I'd say most of the local signings will be younger players or experienced players for bench/squad roles.
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 11.26.11 AM.png 400.89 KB

Kosta no thanks - even as a back up, if he's gonna be a bench warmer we may as well Have Supyyk there.
LBS bneing the starter at 18? could be stretch for him
Rufer is rumoured to be leabing at the end of his contact in June and Cassidy is in no way ready to be the starter. So that leaves our midfield empty.
defensive liune is probably sport on.
If AKH is gonna be hte starter the Sail isnt gonna want to sit on the bench for us, he's been there done that - besides I dont think many of us would welcome hiom back.

What are people's thoughts on David Yoo or Ryan Feutz from SIU? Both kiwi's and both performing in the OFC Pro league.
Yeah was just going to ask what people thought of Feutz, had a good season in NPL NSW too.

What about Owen Smith too? Was Miramar player of the season last year and has the most assists in the pro league this year.

I think what coochiee said up above there is appropriate. Look to get some of these guys in on trial and see where they're at.

I like the Feutz shout though, and his goal scoring record from Central League to the NPL and now in the Pro League is superb. But admittedly those leagues are all levels below A-League standard. Doesn't mean he couldn't be a decent option, even if it is as a squaddie. Got to start somewhere I guess.

Owen Smith I know less about, but he's been one of the best players in this Pro League, even in a team that's been as up and down as his Vanuatu side have been. He's been in the ressies setup previously if that helps, but he could be a local option we bring in on a trial basis and see what he's really about.

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about 7 hours ago · edited about 7 hours ago · History

I think looking at the OFC Pro League playoffs will give a better guide than some of these games in the Island hubs on poor pitches, and sometimes weaker opposition. Plus the heat can slow the games down.

But the playoffs in Auckland in May (weather permitting) will be on true surfaces, and sides like AFC II and Sth Melbourne with a sprinkling of ex ALM talent, will provide tough tests for SIU guys - if they should meet up. Plus being finals games they should have a real edge, when you want the better players to stand up.

The other issue that could influence who the Nix sign for next season, is does the club get it's own entrant (Nix II) in next year's OFC League. A rumour that that may happen. If so can you sign some older NZ (non Academy) guys to that Nix II side, that can be called up to the senior ALM side in need?

Bailey Ferguson has gone from Auckland's OFC League team to the ALM side. No idea on the rules on how that can happen.

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about 7 hours ago · edited about 6 hours ago · History

I think they have previously listed and signed him as a scholarship player in their A league squad.

Auckland will rise once more

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about 6 hours ago · edited about 6 hours ago · History

coochiee wrote:
The other issue that could influence who the Nix sign for next season, is does the club get it's own entrant (Nix II) in next year's OFC League. A rumour that that may happen. If so can you sign some older NZ (non Academy) guys to that Nix II side, that can be called up to the senior ALM side in need?

You're reading from my hymn sheet on this one too as I've heard similar rumblings!

But definitely something to think about. Probably good of us to have missed out on the inaugural version of it too, because if we are indeed in it next year and beyond, we definitely know now that an academy-centric squad will not cut the mustard. Recruitment of some more established players for that 'potential' setup will need to happen.

But we're also speaking hypothetically here too. 🫣

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about 6 hours ago

Anybody from AFC who might be cut that we could look at? Gillion has almost zero game time this year. Hes a bit of headless chicken sometimes but he has pace and can dribble. Would be ok as a sub to come on and change a game. Not sure Greenie plays wingers though.
We should be looking at all the Oceania pro squads.
If Josh goes then Sail is a viable option. Better than KH IMO.
The reality is there is likely to be little money available. Poor TV money and very low crowd numbers mean no cash. We will be doing well to get 5 really decent imports and they all gave to be 100% starters.

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about 6 hours ago

Don't think Gillion is A-League standard personally.

Three for me, and two for them.

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about 6 hours ago

Rules for OPL (from memory) means you can have 2 over-23s that play in both teams (who would need an A-League contact). I'm not sure the exact A-League rules, but I'm sure youth players over a certain age need a scholarship deal to be eligible. I believe it's why Auckland haven't called up Zoricich after de Vries got injured.

Does mean it can kind of be used as a half-season trial for older players or they can be used to complement young players but they won't be able to move up to the first team that season.

Smith, Feutz and Yoo would definitely be three players I'd hope they have a look at from OPL.

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about 5 hours ago

Buffon II wrote:
Don't think Gillion is A-League standard personally.

Agreed, why would we want a headless chicken ? Didn’t do it for the blue goo, doubt he’d do it for us either. He’s found his level imo.

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about 5 hours ago

The Auckland Reserve goal keeper who came in for Sail has been good.

Was NPL keeper of the year as well.

Would be happy withbhim to come in.

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about 3 hours ago · edited about 2 hours ago · History

YoungHeartHM wrote:
coochiee wrote:
The other issue that could influence who the Nix sign for next season, is does the club get it's own entrant (Nix II) in next year's OFC League. A rumour that that may happen. If so can you sign some older NZ (non Academy) guys to that Nix II side, that can be called up to the senior ALM side in need?

You're reading from my hymn sheet on this one too as I've heard similar rumblings!

But definitely something to think about. Probably good of us to have missed out on the inaugural version of it too, because if we are indeed in it next year and beyond, we definitely know now that an academy-centric squad will not cut the mustard. Recruitment of some more established players for that 'potential' setup will need to happen.

But we're also speaking hypothetically here too. 🫣

Yeah AFC II seem to have got the OFC Pro League blend about right.

The better youngsters from their Northern League reserve team, a heap of Northern League old heads (Tade, Drake, Den Heijer etc), and some 'Kiwis' that have been overseas (Wynne, Zorocich, James Bayliss, Faulds).

Look out for any Wellingtonians finishing at their US Colleges to be potential recruits for a Nix II OFC team in 2027.

Some of Theo Ettema, Tor Davenport-Petersen, Quillan Roberts, Sebastian Barton-Ginger, Jack Henry-Sinclair, Gianni Bouzoukis, Noah Tipene-Clegg, Alex Solomon would be useful additions to a Nix II squad, if they still around the Central League this season, and interested in a little Oceania adventure for a few months in 2027. Martin Bueno as your Tade old man Latino equivalent. Some ex Nix guys like George Ott, Luke Flowerdew, Adam Supyk etc. Oli Whyte is playing 2nd tier stuff in Finland.

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about 3 hours ago

You has looked very promising. Yes our 20 year celebration and our usual rebuild as we lose between 8 to 13 players yet again.

I wonder if we will do a special retro or honeage kit? All I know is mine will have Daniel 11 on the back.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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