WPW 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Reckon Bev can get Knott back? She was outstanding on the weekend. 

I've had word that Fraser is on her way back to the Nix... and that Longo turned down an offer to return.

A couple of line up options:

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I’d be tempted to sign another import CM so that we can deploy Fraser further forward, plus Jale, Elliot and Main are solid attacking options.

Can also play Bott at LCB with León in her more natural LWB instead.

Think we need another goal scorer in this team. I'd like to see the last visa spot go on another forward / goal scorer.
Bott might end up playing in midfield allowing Leon to slot in RWB. Then can have a front 3 of 
          Bhandari      Import (V)
                       Fraser
            Middag         Bott
Wall                                       Leon
      VDM      Walker    Barry
                     Esson

Subs possibilities. Jale, Whynam, Elliot, Brazendale, Jaber, GK?  to name few.

Since pre-season training’s apparently underway, does that mean the squad is complete now with Fraser?

If not (and it’s hard to see us deliberately leaving a visa slot empty unless stuff fell through) how much longer do we realistically have to sign someone new? 

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Could definitely be on the way here now 

While discussing how many ex-Phoenix players were in the Auckland United squad we faced on Sunday, The Niche Cache reported that Vlok is injured - hopefully it’s just a niggle and she’ll be joining training soon:

Meanwhile, the WeeNix’s left wing-back Poppy O’Brien played for Auckland United last year so at least one player moved in the other direction (Pia Vlok is about to do the same but she’s currently injured too).

(Off-topic for this thread but also sad to read that Saskia Vosper has done her ACL just before nationals start.)

There was a photo of Vlok in Phoenix training on their Instagram this week, so must not be too bad of a knock.

Must be Macey? 

At the risk of angering other users, she had some insta content filmed at Te Whaea this week.

Well, we have a fair old squad now with Fraser. Another forward would finish it off. Unsure whether Jerez or Ingham will be up to the task, we look to be depending on Main. Which may not be a bad thing.

Thought that message might have meant an announcement at 8am.
Maybe we are signing an 8. 

Macey sighted at NZCIS training with the team this morning

She's backkkkk. pic.twitter.com/XoMLroGxve

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 12, 2025

Macey confirmed

Aimee Danieli

Alyssa Whinham

Daisy Brazendale

Ela Jerez (scholarship)

Ella McCann (scholarship)

Ella McMillan (scholarship)

Ellie Walker  (V)

Grace Jale

Lara Wall

Lucía León  (V)

Mackenzie Barry

Manaia Elliott

Olivia Ingham

Tessel Middag  (V)

Victoria Esson

 

CJ Bott

Emma Main

Sabitra Bhandari (V)

Tiana Jaber
Marisa van der Meer

2027/28
Pia Vlok  (scholarship)
Macey Fraser

super good squad with an ace coach, hopefully a decent chance of bringing some silverware home!

I think it’s clear the nix ownership have gone all in on giving the women’s team the best chance at a trophy this season, before Auckland get their act together and eclipse us in that area next.

3 year contract! That's fantastic!

Think the last visa is probably a central midfielder.
 

 

nufc_nz

I think it’s clear the nix ownership have gone all in on giving the women’s team the best chance at a trophy this season, before Auckland get their act together and eclipse us in that area next.

Won't be until the season after next at the earliest (27/28)

2ndBest

2025/26

Aimee Danieli (scholarship)

Alyssa Whinham

Daisy Brazendale

Ela Jerez (scholarship)

Ella McCann (scholarship)

Ella McMillan (scholarship)

Ellie Walker  (V)

Grace Jale

Lara Wall

Lucía León  (V)

Mackenzie Barry

Manaia Elliott

Olivia Ingham

Tessel Middag  (V)

Victoria Esson

 

2026/27

CJ Bott

Emma Main

Sabitra Bhandari (V)

Tiana Jaber
Marisa van der Meer

2027/28
Pia Vlok  (scholarship)
Macey Fraser

So does Brooke Neary not have a contract or scholarship contract with the 1st team this season?

Macy coming back is great business for the Nix, sold for a record 6 figure sum she returns on a free, 3 year deal we may get a chance to sell her again at 26.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360821415/wellington-phoenix-bring-macey-fraser-home-after-early-exit-utah-royals

I would assume the ALW rules match the ALM rules, so we are gonna need a second senior GK contracted. So either Neary or Danielli might be promoted.

Fraser is one of those rare players, when she gets on the ball you feel anything can happen. It excites the crowd, That's is why she is a fan favourite.
But her stats are not flattering, And she has played little football over the last two years with injury spells also a factor.
Really hope that she is not too over hyped at season start. that she gets the opportunity to grow into the season, and reach the levels that her potential has shown.
So good that she is going to be a Phoenix player again, And a three year contract. Awesome. 

In that article on Stuff about Macey came across this:

Centre back Tiana Jaber is expected to miss start of the season after breaking her leg while on international duty with Lebanon.

I hadn't heard about that, I wonder how many weeks of the season she's expected to miss?

Half a Pint

In that article on Stuff about Macey came across this:

Centre back Tiana Jaber is expected to miss start of the season after breaking her leg while on international duty with Lebanon.

I hadn't heard about that, I wonder how many weeks of the season she's expected to miss?

Saw something on twitter saying she did it back in July.

Ranix

Fraser is one of those rare players, when she gets on the ball you feel anything can happen. It excites the crowd, That's is why she is a fan favourite.
But her stats are not flattering, And she has played little football over the last two years with injury spells also a factor.
Really hope that she is not too over hyped at season start. that she gets the opportunity to grow into the season, and reach the levels that her potential has shown.
So good that she is going to be a Phoenix player again, And a three year contract. Awesome. 

In her season here she got 3 goals and 5 assists in 19 games from CM which is pretty good and now going to be what should be a lot better team you'd think she'd improve on that this season. 

The NWSL is a lot stronger league so her not playing games shouldn't be too big of a concern and she might've just not fit that team in particular. A lot of the women from the USA who come to the A-League are usually from the leagues below NWSL and do well.

Macey’s issues are not football related  but more a mental issue
I think the pressure already loaded up on her about her return will only exacerbate these.
Doesn’t the Club ever learn?

Starwars

Macey’s issues are not football related  but more addiction related.
I think the pressure already loaded up on her about her return will only exacerbate these.
Doesn’t the Club ever learn?

What are you trying to say here?

Addiction??!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Addiction??!

Edited *typo

Bullion

Starwars

Macey’s issues are not football related  but more addiction related.
I think the pressure already loaded up on her about her return will only exacerbate these.
Doesn’t the Club ever learn?

What are you trying to say here?

Edited *typo

Starwars

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Addiction??!

Edited *typo

Wait, no, you don't get from "addiction related" to "mental issue" with a typo

I'd just ignore. Its the return of ....... that poster that pops up every season about now with a new account. Likes to stir the pot. 

I’m super excited about this women’s team, it is stacked, and with the return of Fraser is a superb bit of business. Shell have learnt plenty from the US, and hopefully she can re-find her form again!

Starwars

Macey’s issues are not football related  but more a mental issue
I think the pressure already loaded up on her about her return will only exacerbate these.
Doesn’t the Club ever learn?

WE dont need that sort of nasty inuendo posted on here why dont you and your nasty posts just jog on they arnt needed here.

ballane

Starwars

Macey’s issues are not football related  but more a mental issue
I think the pressure already loaded up on her about her return will only exacerbate these.
Doesn’t the Club ever learn?

WE dont need that sort of nasty inuendo posted on here why dont you and your nasty posts just jog on they arnt needed here.

What is nasty about the comment? There have been a few female players recently in the NIX alone who have had some mental health issues. It's a thing. If Macey has struggled with that, adding pressure on her to be this returning star may not be in her best interest... if true.

I hope she's happy and well. And if any of the above is true that she is supported.

MetalLegNZ

ballane

Starwars

Macey’s issues are not football related  but more a mental issue
I think the pressure already loaded up on her about her return will only exacerbate these.
Doesn’t the Club ever learn?

WE dont need that sort of nasty inuendo posted on here why dont you and your nasty posts just jog on they arnt needed here.

What is nasty about the comment? There have been a few female players recently in the NIX alone who have had some mental health issues. It's a thing. If Macey has struggled with that, adding pressure on her to be this returning star may not be in her best interest... if true.

I hope she's happy and well. And if any of the above is true that she is supported.

The nasty part was before the so called type was corrected, from addiction to mental issues. Unfounded rumours are not helpful.

Not sure what people are so concerned about - with a number of other strong signings and Bev as coach too, I think the hype will be pretty balanced and shared around. The foreigners, CJ Bott, Vic Esson for starters.

The real strength of the squad will be determined by the quality of the imports and what they add.  Bott, Eason, Leon and Fraser certainly improve the depth and quality from last year but I wouldn't be talking about title contenders until we see what the imports bring.