Mariana Speckmaier: Anybody else notice Mariana at the men's game last night? Is this a sign of commitment to the Nix, or is she just waiting for a call-up to the All Stars squad? Hailey Davidson: I thought she was solid, but agree she wasn't necessarily visa-worthy. In her defence though, I attended two games in Melbourne and was frustrated at the number of hospital passes she received that gave her no time or space on the wing. In the men's game, persistent poor service usually gets a response – Tim Payne regularly gives his team mates a rark up – and I think Haley could have occasionally demanded better from those around her.
Speckmaier and Breslin stayed in NZ at the end of the season and did a wee tiki tour, I think down South. Even if they are re-signed, I don't think them being there last night is an indication either way, especially since Macey Fraser was there too.
Also their contracts and no doubt other arrangements such as apartment lease etc would run to past the womens GF date. May as well stay for a weeks if no pressing need to be elsewhere.
I'm sure it's been explained before. But still only 1 year deals?
Would help if say Barry was on a 2 year deal, as her, Taylor or Foster are presumably the next likely to leave for overseas. Be nice to get a transfer aka Fraser.
I'm sure it's been explained before. But still only 1 year deals?
Would help if say Barry was on a 2 year deal, as her, Taylor or Foster are presumably the next likely to leave for overseas. Be nice to get a transfer aka Fraser.
Hopefully Taylor and Michaela Foster will be re-signed for next season soon.
I didnt realise until the other day that Taylor wasnt signed for next season until the Ferns squad announcement had her listed as unattached
Longer deals probably stop the women supplimenting their pittance of aleague salary with other gigs during the off season, so they are only signed for 1 season at a time to allow them to sign with other clubs.
Wisnewski and Breslin move on from the Phoenix Women
Midfielders Grace Wisnewski and Hope Breslin have informed the club that they won't be returning as they're exploring other opportunities
Thank you to both Grace and Hope for their contributions to the Phoenix Women's team… pic.twitter.com/F2Emv9DD6b
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) June 4, 2024
Breslin maybe headed the same way as Davidson, back home, and into the USL Super League?
Will be very interesting to see where Wisnewski is heading. 9 months on now since she tore her ACL. Too soon for a move overseas? Or maybe after missing an entire season she doesn't want to wait around another 4 or 5 months for ALW to start again. With Fraser also gone there are now some big gaps in midfield. Also will Longo return?
Taylor really has been the huge success story of this WahineNix team. Bought in as a 17 year old three years ago. Now watching her performances for the Ferns against Japan, its hard to believe she is still only 20. Wish her all the best and a long and successful career. Going to be a hard act to follow. The Nix Midfield is in total rebuild mode now. Will have to look outside the academy to fill some of the departures. Feel like Kelli Brown never got the opportunities she deserved at the Nix. Really hope she gets another A league contract somewhere and the opportunity to realise her potential.
Yeah looks like a lot of change for next season. But the club already proving a hugely important pathway for women's football in NZ. Launching the careers of Clegg, Fraser, Wisnewski & Taylor. Shame a fee only for Fraser. Barry you think will be next.
And a real pity it took so many years for the Nix ALW team to happen. Progress of the Ferns definitely hindered. But then Football Australia were the main obstacle to not having an ALW team earlier.
Interesting comments from Shaun Gill on the pod in relation to the women's space. He said the new USL 2nd tier competition in the States is offering a lot better wages than the A league can offer. Could well impact A league recruitment. Speckmaier and Cox already have offers to join that league which kicks off in August. Wouldn't be surprised if that's where Wisnewski pops up also.
On recruitment. Gill said they were hoping to re-sign 5-7 more players from last season. Throwing a few NZ names out there. Lets hope we see Longo, Foster, Whinham, Main, Edwards, Robertson sign on again. Question is how wide outside there academy will they look. Current acadamy players Jerez, Eglington or McMillian could move onto scholarship deals.. Looking further afield at other NZ free agents with A league experience that could be available. You'd think Grace Jale would be top of that list. Followed by Hannah Blake, Liz Anton and Deven Jackson. Also NZ U20 players Ruby Nathan and Helena Errington. Below that level at NPL. Lancaster and Dominikovich seem to be standing out. In NZ. Do they try and lock in younger talent before Auckland comes onto the scene. A lot of the current NZ U20 squad are already pro, but there are a few still in NZ. Zoe Benson, Lara Colpi and Alexis Cook are all young up and coming players. Plenty of talent around. Lots for Temple to think about. Can the coaching group identify those with ability to step up and gel as a team. There will be high expectation once again I'm sure.
On recruitment. Gill said they were hoping to re-sign 5-7 more players from last season. Throwing a few NZ names out there. Lets hope we see Longo, Foster, Whinham, Main, Edwards, Robertson sign on again. Question is how wide outside there academy will they look. Current acadamy players Jerez, Eglington or McMillian could move onto scholarship deals.. Looking further afield at other NZ free agents with A league experience that could be available. You'd think Grace Jale would be top of that list. Followed by Hannah Blake, Liz Anton and Deven Jackson. Also NZ U20 players Ruby Nathan and Helena Errington. Below that level at NPL. Lancaster and Dominikovich seem to be standing out. In NZ. Do they try and lock in younger talent before Auckland comes onto the scene. A lot of the current NZ U20 squad are already pro, but there are a few still in NZ. Zoe Benson, Lara Colpi and Alexis Cook are all young up and coming players. Plenty of talent around. Lots for Temple to think about. Can the coaching group identify those with ability to step up and gel as a team. There will be high expectation once again I'm sure.
Is there much young decent kiwi talent left to sign, are those above good enough?
My impression form afar is that the talent pool is quite shallow. Even here in England there's a huge drop off in ability below the women's super league.
On recruitment. Gill said they were hoping to re-sign 5-7 more players from last season. Throwing a few NZ names out there. Lets hope we see Longo, Foster, Whinham, Main, Edwards, Robertson sign on again. Question is how wide outside there academy will they look. Current acadamy players Jerez, Eglington or McMillian could move onto scholarship deals.. Looking further afield at other NZ free agents with A league experience that could be available. You'd think Grace Jale would be top of that list. Followed by Hannah Blake, Liz Anton and Deven Jackson. Also NZ U20 players Ruby Nathan and Helena Errington. Below that level at NPL. Lancaster and Dominikovich seem to be standing out. In NZ. Do they try and lock in younger talent before Auckland comes onto the scene. A lot of the current NZ U20 squad are already pro, but there are a few still in NZ. Zoe Benson, Lara Colpi and Alexis Cook are all young up and coming players. Plenty of talent around. Lots for Temple to think about. Can the coaching group identify those with ability to step up and gel as a team. There will be high expectation once again I'm sure.
Is there much young decent kiwi talent left to sign, are those above good enough?
My impression form afar is that the talent pool is quite shallow. Even here in England there's a huge drop off in ability below the women's super league.
Will likely be a matter of developing our own talent as much as possible, similar to what we're seeing on the men's side. Players who come through a professional academy have many advantages those stepping up from amateur leagues don't.
