WPM Australia Cup playoffs vs Brisbane Roar| Wed 14th May | 9:30pm NZT | Larrakia Park, Darwin

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Sorry but, I'm just pretending the off-season has already started with this one. 

If any of our players had been red-carded at the Perth game they would’ve missed the trip right? Surprised we didn’t see more aggression on the pitch…

But for any other masochists in the room:

Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Final Rounds Playoffs opponents finalised

Is this on Sky?

YouTube apparently 

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

YouTube apparently 

Usually the case for Australia cup games anyway isn't it?

Considering our current form I don't have particularly high hopes for this, but being that most A-League teams don't care about this competition until the latter stages - the Australia Cup presents us with our best opportunity for silverware each season. 

So with that in mind, I feel that a deep run in this competition should be considered quite important for this club each season - if we are aiming to win trophies, why not start with the 'easiest' one and use that to help build confidence and a winning mentality. 

We should be aiming to make the Final of this Cup - at the very least it would finally give us fans a big Grand Final day out to experience, and it'd be a great away day. 

Of course with how we are playing I know there's a big chance we lose this playoff and that's the comp done for another season (and in all honesty thats pretty much what I'm expecting right now) - but we really need to be prioritising this more than other A-League clubs do, and an appearance in a final might help re-inject some positivity around the club leading into next season.

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

coochiee

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

We as a club really need to stop using international call ups as an excuse for a poor preseason, it's not an unknown so we should be preparing, recruiting for it better.

coochiee

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

In Chiefy's on field interview after the match the other day, he was once again talking about how disrupted preseason was this season but said that wouldn't be an issue for the upcoming preseason - so he mustn't think the U20 WC will disrupt his plans much.

Also if we are serious about the Australia Cup that would mean getting our squad and visa players sorted earlyish so we are playing a stronger squad aren't relying so heavily on youth

Edit: And this season we were better away than home so maybe it's an advantage playing only away games! 🤣

theprof

coochiee

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

We as a club really need to stop using international call ups as an excuse for a poor preseason, it's not an unknown so we should be preparing, recruiting for it better.

Exactly. Every year the same excuses. As if we're running into problems that are unknown and other teams don't have.

InsulinMachine

theprof

coochiee

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

We as a club really need to stop using international call ups as an excuse for a poor preseason, it's not an unknown so we should be preparing, recruiting for it better.

Exactly. Every year the same excuses. As if we're running into problems that are unknown and other teams don't have.

Excuses FC

A number of A league clubs were disadvantaged during the actual season this year with the Ausis having an extended period away with under 20 qualification.

theprof

coochiee

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

We as a club really need to stop using international call ups as an excuse for a poor preseason, it's not an unknown so we should be preparing, recruiting for it better.

I agree, we shouldn't be including young nz talent in our squad due disruption to early cup games and preseason, more Aussie journeymen please - as you say "recruiting for it better"!

Bullion

theprof

coochiee

It’s difficult for the Nix as no other ALM club usually has as many players away on age group international duty in pre season 

Last year a heap of guys returned from the Olympics only days before the tie against Sth Melbourne 

This year even if the Nix win this playoff NZU20 commitments could clash with any Australia Cup game(s)

And then of course every Cup game is an away game. Will never be easy for the Nix to win this Cup comp

We as a club really need to stop using international call ups as an excuse for a poor preseason, it's not an unknown so we should be preparing, recruiting for it better.

I agree, we shouldn't be including young nz talent in our squad due disruption to early cup games and preseason, more Aussie journeymen please - as you say "recruiting for it better"!

Not exactly what I'm sayi9ng but sure. The U20 kids being off on international duty would not have impacted our build up last season if we had built the squad better - if we know the U20's are going to miss a large part of the buildup then you do your best to make sure their absence doesnt leave holes in your game day 18, that is the point of the scholarship contract etc.

Just realised I will be at work while this is on...

GET IN!!!

AucklandPhoenix

A number of A league clubs were disadvantaged during the actual season this year with the Ausis having an extended period away with under 20 qualification.

Oh for sure. I think 17 of that Aussie U20 squad earlier this year were ALM players. Maybe Adelaide had the biggest with 4?? With say 2 of those regular ALM players?? Aussie age group teams are picked from 11 A League clubs.

But it's different with the Nix. You have NZ teams selected from now 2 (previously 1) NZ ALM club. Of course you are going to lose more players to international football compared to Aussie club.

Nix had LKH, Sheridan, Sutton, Conchie, OVH & Hughes all at the Olympics last year. Surman also there whilst still technically a Nixer

You have all them rocking up days before an Australia Cup tie, it's definitely a negative. And really there is fudge all you can do about it.

I don't think when signing new players, targeting those who are most likely to be able to arrive early for an Australia Cup tie, should be a huge factor. If you have to wait a bit to get the ideal player for a season that starts in late October, you wait.

Sounds like Nix pre season is going to start bit earlier this year on 1st July. Last year was OFC Nations Cup and Olympics in the midst of pre season. This year just the U20 WC.

Getting together earlier. Less disruptions. Italiano a season older & wiser. Lets see what happens.

There's not a chance we qualify. We just lost back to back to BRISBANE and PERTH, two teams who have spent all season competing for the wooden spoon. We'd probably just get a club like Avondale anyway and lose immediately 

WanderingSheep

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

YouTube apparently 

Usually the case for Australia cup games anyway isn't it?

How To Watch: Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Final Rounds Playoffs

Also, nice to see a bit of the ol' Aussie humour even on the tickets:

image.png 56.84 KB

Talking about excuses - Melbourne City had around 6 of their star players out with ACLs, or related injuries, throughout a good chunk of the season.

We need to stop making excuses for 'disjointed' pre-seasons, player unavailabilities, not enough time to adapt to our coach's style, and so on.

Winner's find a way, regardless of the circumstances they face. We should strive have a winner's mentality. 

What are the logistics of getting to Darwin?

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

What are the logistics of getting to Darwin?

Not too bad, it’s a 4h40 flight from Sydney although it can be a bit pricey  - I was able to do it for NZ$1700 including stopping over in Melbourne for the ALM semis on the 16th/17th (and the ALW final if the stars align), but that’s by flying in and out after midnight. A couple of the Glory supporters who came over for our last game said they were looking at A$1000 return from Perth so they’d decided against going.

I found a reasonably-priced hotel in the CBD and the stadium is just by the airport so fairly easy to get to (nice they have free public transport until end of June). As a Wellingtonian the low-mid 30s temperatures will be a bit of a shock, but hey that’s what beer is for - I’m just glad I don’t have to play football in it, even with a 7pm kickoff.

Was flown up there just before covid for a job interview. Grueling schedule, got the dreaded 6am flight out of WGN, then a regional service to Darwin. It's a cool place but man so hot and humid. Also Croc signs everywhere! To avoid leaving the wife with a baby and young child I asked to be flown back at midnight of the day of the interview (the day after I got there). 
Then I had my only aborted landing ever and was diverted to AKL! Got home at 1am that day. Never again!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

What are the logistics of getting to Darwin?

Took me 2 weeks in 77 them Roadhouses were a friggen trap fill up with fuel and grog all in the same place.😁

So what's the deal here?  If we lose we don't get to play the usual Australia Cup games later on?

Get to? Or have to?

Can't say I'd shed a tear if we never played in the Australia Cup again (assuming it's not because we're always bottom 4).

Someone recently suggested an annual little pre season NZ comp involving the Nix, Auckland and the to be announced (likely to be two) NZ teams in the new OFC Pro League.

That is a little pre season comp, running Sept-October each year involving all NZ's professional football teams.

This year will be a bit too early, given the NZ entrants in the new OFC League (kicks off Jan next year) won't be known for a few months yet. But from September next year it could be a goer.

Would yes be a bit of a waste of time if the NZ OFC club teams are just the AFC II & the Weenix. But good chance you'd guess that Christchurch United will be in that OFC league and have a basically full time pro squad by next year.


But for now the Australia Cup games are a valuable part of the Nix's pre season training. Would be a shame to be out of the Cup by Thursday. I guess the Wrexham match, and no doubt a 2-3 game tour of Australia will fill some of the void. As a think Ballane suggested a match against NZ U20s before they leave for Chile in Sept not a bad idea either.

Nelfoos

Get to? Or have to?

Can't say I'd shed a tear if we never played in the Australia Cup again (assuming it's not because we're always bottom 4).

Kinda with you on that one.
 
Although if it was slightly closer to the start of the actual season then it's good prep and I'd be happy to continue in it. The way we treat the fixtures always just feels like an early season kick around for the kids that is never really taken all that seriously by us anyway.
 
The first round of 32 clashes are about 4 weeks off sitting in the sweet spot - Late August/Early September for an October kick off would just feel right/better.

Pie in the sky stuff here as well, but once these other OFC Pro League teams get up and running I'd love for us to pack in the Aussie cup altogether and create a Canadian Championship style competition - Nix, Auckland, OFC teams x 2, winners of Northern, Central, Southern Leagues, and hell, even throw in a Chatham Cup winner too - No, I haven't worked out logistics, but that would pique my interest far more than a late July kick around, when the season proper starts 2-3 months later.

(Sorry for getting off track 😅)

Nah you've just put words to a whole lot of unfinished thoughts i had, can't disagree with much of that at all.

coochiee

Someone recently suggested an annual little pre season NZ comp involving the Nix, Auckland and the to be announced (likely to be two) NZ teams in the new OFC Pro League.

That is a little pre season comp, running Sept-October each year involving all NZ's professional football teams.

This year will be a bit too early, given the NZ entrants in the new OFC League (kicks off Jan next year) won't be known for a few months yet. But from September next year it could be a goer.

Would yes be a bit of a waste of time if the NZ OFC club teams are just the AFC II & the Weenix. But good chance you'd guess that Christchurch United will be in that OFC league and have a basically full time pro squad by next year.


But for now the Australia Cup games are a valuable part of the Nix's pre season training. Would be a shame to be out of the Cup by Thursday. I guess the Wrexham match, and no doubt a 2-3 game tour of Australia will fill some of the void. As a think Ballane suggested a match against NZ U20s before they leave for Chile in Sept not a bad idea either.

Beat me to it. 😆

Really cant see it being that big a loss if we dont take part. Its not as if we have played our top team in it in the past. Think people make more of it than what it actually is. Surely we could arrange games against other A league teams who have been knocked out.

As your post above YH, yes some version of that Canadian Championship looks like a good idea. Maybe rather than (or just in addition to) amateur teams from the Southern, Central & Northern Leagues - invite in other Island pro club teams from the OFC Pro League.

They are probably looking for some quality early pre season action, rather than just playing amongst themselves. I remember the Nix played in Fiji a few years back, when Krishna was at the club. 

Would create some welcome goodwill in the Islands, AFC and the Nix playing some games up there. Hopefully with the FIFA money coming in this new OFC league the pitches/training facilities improve in quality, making any potential games in the Islands a bit more worthwhile.

At the end of the day the Australia Cup should be a knockout comp for Australian teams only, like the Chatham Cup is for Aotearoa.

And imagine if the Nix won this preseason "NZ Invitation Cup". Maybe all that teeth gnashing about the lack of ever winning a trophy would end!!

A shame that as fans we have little connection to the competition with maybe a significant reason due to the rules forcing us to always be away (which I would love to see what would happen now if we draw afc in the cup) and its timing for the earlier rounds.

Bullion

A shame that as fans we have little connection to the competition with maybe a significant reason due to the rules forcing us to always be away (which I would love to see what would happen now if we draw afc in the cup) and its timing for the earlier rounds.

Part of the lack of connection is that we never see any games here - I get why its played in Aus especially with the lower league teams - travel would be costly.

Bullion

A shame that as fans we have little connection to the competition with maybe a significant reason due to the rules forcing us to always be away (which I would love to see what would happen now if we draw afc in the cup) and its timing for the earlier rounds.

Looking forward to when AFC fans discover they can't play at home in it and go nuts over it like it hasn't affected us for years lol

Still I wouldn’t mind having a mid season cup. I really enjoyed our cup run and two games a week. Plus it unlocked Sotirio as a player somehow! 

Seems strange not watching a kiwi team last weekend.

Actually looking forward to watching this tomorrow.

So this'll be on YouTube?