Wellington Phoenix Women General Discussion and Squad Speculation
Nothing wrong though if they can get some good Aussies signed up. Of last years lot, I though Izzy Gomez and Hannah Jones were good value. I see they have both been left out of Aus U20 WC squad. Cushla Rue who was injured most of last season did make there U20 WC squad. In the interview with Lewis. She said they are heading to Aussie this weekend to view some games. So hopefully they can get some quality signatures.
https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1551383038839631872?s=20&t=rE1Jgul-9Q_tK1eHdKR5ng
Hassett will provide so much experience it's not funny.
More Ferns please! Keep them coming!
I am getting worried that Kate Taylor and Zoe McMeeken haven't been announced yet
I wonder what the quality of the Iceland league is compared to the A-League Women. Considering the population of Iceland is less than the Wellington urban area, I can't imagine the quality is high.
Personally don’t think they need many or any more Ferns. Otherwise you will really start to block pathways for young Kiwis, which is a major reason for this team existing. FA dispense with the silly minimum 7 Aussies requirement and that changes somewhat
But with a proper pre season, full fitness/gym conditioning programs it seems last few months, a year’s further experience under their belts (many going to the U20 WC, some now with time with the Ferns), home games plus Satchell & now Hassett - this should be a much better team than last season already
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/129377766/football-fern-betsy-hassett-to-bring-wealth-of-experience-to-wellington-phoenix
I'm sure that won't happen (if anything it's seems these days more quality players are leaving the ALW than joining it), but it is an Australian comp, and fair enough they don't want to see a stacked Kiwi side bossing it anytime soon.
But confident Lewis & co will get the balance right. Maybe 1 at most 2 more Ferns (yes Unattached hopefully).
I wonder what the quality of the Iceland league is compared to the A-League Women. Considering the population of Iceland is less than the Wellington urban area, I can't imagine the quality is high.
Iceland had 3 draws (vs France, Belgium and Italy) at the Euros, so must be producing good quality players from their league.
Gemma Lewis has named 8 inaugural Wellington Phoenix Women's players in the @NZ_Football U20 World Cup Squad! 🤩
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 25, 2022
▪️Alyssa Whinham
▪️Grace Wisnewski
▪️Kate Taylor (C)
▪️Zoe McMeeken
▪️Brianna Edwards
▪️Te Reremoana Walker
▪️Charlotte Lancaster
▪️Ava Pritchard#COYN!
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/3AjCj2mdQv
More Ferns please! Keep them coming!
I am getting worried that Kate Taylor and Zoe McMeeken haven't been announced yet
Both I see are in the A-League Off Season Programme. Both have made the U20 WC squad. Taylor is captain.
But if they are looking to sign for clubs overseas, surely that ain't a bad thing.
They have signed 2 new players so far and 1 (Jale) has left. So it won't be a huge turn over of players, but when you can only sign 12 + 2 on scholarship, there will be 2 or 3 disappointed players from last season. (probably not Taylor or McMeechan, I would have thought)
Of the two overseas Ferns players that might want game time. Additional to Hassett. Can only speculate that maybe Katie Bowen or Rosie White? Either would be great additions.
An extra local based player might be Van der Meer or Longo. But who knows.
Also I'm not exactly sure what qualifies as a scholarship player. Age / Previous pro contract might disqualify.
I'm sure that won't happen (if anything it's seems these days more quality players are leaving the ALW than joining it), but it is an Australian comp, and fair enough they don't want to see a stacked Kiwi side bossing it anytime soon.
But confident Lewis & co will get the balance right. Maybe 1 at most 2 more Ferns (yes Unattached hopefully).
More Ferns please! Keep them coming!
Personally don’t think they need many or any more Ferns. Otherwise you will really start to block pathways for young Kiwis, which is a major reason for this team existing. FA dispense with the silly minimum 7 Aussies requirement and that changes somewhat
But with a proper pre season, full fitness/gym conditioning programs it seems last few months, a year’s further experience under their belts (many going to the U20 WC, some now with time with the Ferns), home games plus Satchell & now Hassett - this should be a much better team than last season already
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/129377766/football-fern-betsy-hassett-to-bring-wealth-of-experience-to-wellington-phoenix
We've got the WWC in 2023 (and it's here!) - if Ferns are looking for a club that can take them towards that competition then it would be silly for us to say no. We also need a strong Nix team going into that tournament, not one that is lurking around the cellar of the table again.
IMO if we only get 11 Kiwi players + scholarships, we really need to only be signing the cream of the crop of young players, and helping them to push to the next level. I'm talking your Whinham, McMeekan, Taylor, type players.
Remember girls like Te Reremoana Walker and Bri Edwards (unless I am wrong) don't come from our quota as well, as they are part-Aussie.
Hello Nix Fans! 👋
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 26, 2022
Wellington Phoenix Women's Player #6 (In order of announcements) will be known at 5pm today! 🤩
Mackenzie Barry, Alyssa Whinham, Paige Satchell, Lily Alfeld, Betsy Hassett & _________?👀
💛🖤
Kate Taylor is back!😎#FootballFern #194 is back for another season with the Nix!💪
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 26, 2022
Welcome back Kate!🔥#COYN!
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/0vqAWzhJkc
The number 6 is probably the next most important position to fill in this team.
Welcome back Brianna Edwards! 🔥
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 26, 2022
Brianna Edwards has signed on for a second season with the Wellington Phoenix and is committed to challenging incumbent goalkeeper Lily Alfeld for the starting role 🧤
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/k7lV2NcXbE
Signing #7.
Welcome back Brianna
Great job recruitment team... doing everything we can to sidestep the stupid rules ahaha
Can't remember where I read that, but it was last year. Not sure what that means and what the new arrangement would be.
But I don't have any issue with this team signing some Aussie players, if they can attract players of A league quality.
The rule that gets me is the only 11 NZ players and imports take a NZ players spot. Just ridiculous for a NZ based team.
Have a funny feeling it's only for 2 years as well, then dispensed with??
That sort of aligns with two further new teams coming into the ALW - Western United (this season) & CCM (next) - so creating a host of new spots for young Aussies aspiring to join the pro football ranks.
Lily Alfeld
Mackenzie Barry
Brianna Edwards (A)
Betsy Hassett
Paige Satchell
Kate Taylor
Expires 2023/24
Chloe Knott
Alyssa Whinham
McMeeken and Lancaster or Macey Fraser as Scholarship players.
Longo and Micheala Robertson as Aus players.
Depends a little on who they can pick up in Aus and what position they play.
Tough on those NZ players that will miss out. Although I could be way out as some NZ players may be picked up by Aus teams also.
McMeeken and Lancaster or Macey Fraser as Scholarship players.
Longo and Micheala Robertson as Aus players.
Depends a little on who they can pick up in Aus and what position they play.
Tough on those NZ players that will miss out. Although I could be way out as some NZ players may be picked up by Aus teams also.
the old 'dual-citizenship' loophole, I love that we are being smart and taking advantage of that where we can.
Would be a shame to lose her as I thought she provided good cover and looked up to the level. Plus gave an alternative to the favoured Taylor-Barry partnership.
Don't want to be too harsh but out of Ava Pritchard and Kelli Brown - at least one needs to go. Paige Satchell and Chloe Knott can play the wings so you needn't sign so many backup players (and I don't think they're yet good enough to start in a midtable side). Wisnewski is alright but we've got to weigh up who is in our midfield already - and if we can get Hannah Jones or Isabel Gomez back in the Australian spots. Not to mention Annalie Longo...
Who on earth else can we even sign at right back? McMeekan showed plenty of promise last year I'd be very happy for us to re-sign her.