Wellington Phoenix Women

WPW 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

483 replies · 35,215 views
08 Sep 03:11
Reckon Bev can get Knott back? She was outstanding on the weekend. 
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
08 Sep 23:59
I've had word that Fraser is on her way back to the Nix... and that Longo turned down an offer to return.
09 Sep 00:42
A couple of line up options:
IMG_8611.jpeg 447.64 KB

IMG_8612.jpeg 456.55 KB

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.
09 Sep 03:14 · edited 09 Sep 03:16 · History
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.
09 Sep 03:19 · edited 09 Sep 03:26 · History
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? 
09 Sep 21:57
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.)
09 Sep 23:41
There was a photo of Vlok in Phoenix training on their Instagram this week, so must not be too bad of a knock.
11 Sep 08:24
Must be Macey? 

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

Valley FC til I die?

11 Sep 09:50
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.
11 Sep 20:23 · edited 11 Sep 20:25 · History
Thought that message might have meant an announcement at 8am.
Maybe we are signing an 8. 
11 Sep 23:38
Macey sighted at NZCIS training with the team this morning
12 Sep 01:28 · edited 18 Sep 03:58 · History
2025/26
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
 
2026/27
CJ Bott
Emma Main
Sabitra Bhandari (V)
Tiana Jaber
Marisa van der Meer

2027/28
Pia Vlok  (scholarship)
Macey Fraser
12 Sep 01:32 · edited 12 Sep 02:44 · History
super good squad with an ace coach, hopefully a decent chance of bringing some silverware home!

Queenslander 3x a year.

12 Sep 01:45
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.


"It will be hosted in Wellington. My balls my word"

3/7/2013

"McGlinchey is ours ! My balls my word."

5/8/2014

12 Sep 01:54
3 year contract! That's fantastic!



12 Sep 02:06
Think the last visa is probably a central midfielder.
 
 
12 Sep 02:20
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)
12 Sep 02:22
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?
12 Sep 02:46
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.
12 Sep 03:56
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. 
12 Sep 04:37
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?
12 Sep 05:01
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.
12 Sep 05:48
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.
12 Sep 10:57 · edited 12 Sep 19:42 · History
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?
12 Sep 12:12
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?
12 Sep 19:35
Addiction??!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

12 Sep 19:42
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Addiction??!

Edited *typo
12 Sep 19:43
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
12 Sep 20:31
Starwars
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Addiction??!

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

Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads



12 Sep 20:45
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. 
12 Sep 21:12
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!
12 Sep 22:10
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.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

12 Sep 22:51
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.


13 Sep 00:13 · edited 13 Sep 00:14 · History
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.

Queenslander 3x a year.

13 Sep 06:02
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.
15 Sep 10:27
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.