WPW 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

Bit different when it's an open social media profile and comment.

I'm not surprised someone with your bent seems to have an issue understanding consent though.

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

‘liberal femboys’ 
Fascinating. 
It’s much like the obsession with controlling and protecting as the same thing, while simultaneously being threatened by female power of any kind, while also denigrating the power of any opposing men as a female and therefore weak and pathetic. 
It’s a twisted take on chivalry for sure.  
But consistent with the US puritan politics of controlling bodies and speech, while inventing mad sex rings like Pizzagate and ignoring real physical abuse by people in power on their side.

martinb

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

‘liberal femboys’ 
Fascinating. 
It’s much like the obsession with controlling and protecting as the same thing, while simultaneously being threatened by female power of any kind, while also denigrating the power of any opposing men as a female and therefore weak and pathetic. 
It’s a twisted take on chivalry for sure.  
But consistent with the US puritan politics of controlling bodies and speech, while inventing mad sex rings like Pizzagate and ignoring real physical abuse by people in power on their side.

Overthinking there champ?
Obviously a failed Wellingtonian Polli grad now working at Brewtown… bless

dunnix

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

Bit different when it's an open social media profile and comment.

I'm not surprised someone with your bent seems to have an issue understanding consent though.

Any dude over 40 shouldn’t be creeping around girls sm accounts and posting quotes. If you think that’s ok then that’s on you 

Starwars

martinb

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

‘liberal femboys’ 
Fascinating. 
It’s much like the obsession with controlling and protecting as the same thing, while simultaneously being threatened by female power of any kind, while also denigrating the power of any opposing men as a female and therefore weak and pathetic. 
It’s a twisted take on chivalry for sure.  
But consistent with the US puritan politics of controlling bodies and speech, while inventing mad sex rings like Pizzagate and ignoring real physical abuse by people in power on their side.

Overthinking there champ?
Obviously a failed Wellingtonian Polli grad now working at Brewtown… bless

No need to get grumpy there young StarKiller. 
What would that mean if I was? 

I’m willing to bet you’ve complained about free speech in relation to somewhere not allowing a rally of some kind in some public or privately owned space, but you’re unhappy that some women who play football also have opinions. 
I’ve found most here tend to be live and let live types but I’d probably pace yourself. 

If you don’t feel like reading political opinions, do what I did and don’t click on them. 
And probably coming on the Nix fan board for the women’s team and saying that while performing for your entertainment they can’t have opinions is coming in quite hot for under ten posts. 
Try supporting the team a bit first. 

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

"Football fans speculate about footballers club movement after content posted on footballers social media"

Come on man

Starwars

dunnix

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

Bit different when it's an open social media profile and comment.

I'm not surprised someone with your bent seems to have an issue understanding consent though.

Any dude over 40 shouldn’t be creeping around girls sm accounts and posting quotes. If you think that’s ok then that’s on you 

I mean me and Macey are only 2 years apart.. And I follow her on TikTok so idk where you getting these wild assumptions from.

So creepy young man then? 😉

Is StarWars Lachy Brook? 😂Hasn’t quite chilled out to a Kiwi level after being in Utah and worried about other blokes being interested in his girl? 

Though I’ve heard Utah is actually pretty chill, just also very Mormon! 

Starwars

dunnix

Starwars

wilbaker

I think Macey is coming back to Welly soon whether just for a visit or something more? Posted a highlight tiktok of her time at Utah and a friend from Wellington in the comments said "can't wait to squeeze you" unless I'm just reading into it...

Are the liberal femboys that took exception to my reference to Middag’s lecturing on social issues also ok with their old mates creeping through a young girls socials and quoting their feels?
Just looks a bit stalky and wrong?

Bit different when it's an open social media profile and comment.

I'm not surprised someone with your bent seems to have an issue understanding consent though.

Any dude over 40 shouldn’t be creeping around girls sm accounts and posting quotes. If you think that’s ok then that’s on you 

Just for context I came across the instagram post on the Utah Royals subreddit as they are speculating about her leaving - and also not 40

ballane

Simon B

Ranix

Pre season training for the women must be starting some time in the next week or so.
Still a few gaps in the roster to fill.

Hopefully we’ll have a full squad in time for the open day on the 20th?

Pretty sure Bev had said they were starting on the 1st of September.

Next Wed or Thursday, I shall go along and see if they are.

I think someone's manhood is tied directly to their sense of superiority over women. The notion that to be a liberal male you have to be a femboy speaks volumes about a level of insecurity in your own masculinity, Starweirdo

Can I just point out that, no matter how conservative you are, it is highly cringe to be commenting on a forum for grownups in NZ using 4chan slang like "liberal femboys"

Doloras

Can I just point out that, no matter how conservative you are, it is highly cringe to be commenting on a forum for grownups in NZ using 4chan slang like "liberal femboys"

I never even heard of that phrase before. Signed out of touch elder. Thanks Doloras for educating me.

Bev just said 4pm 👀

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 4, 2025

Macey Fraser?

Half a Pint

Bev just said 4pm 👀

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 4, 2025

Macey Fraser?

Or Visa attacker ?? or Rebecca Lake ?
Though I feel there will be more fanfare type build up to the announcement if it was to be out last visa signing.

Welcome back, Marisa Van Der Meer 🟡⚫️

The grit to recover from two ACL injuries says it all. Stoked that you're back for another two seasons 💪

See you soon, Marisa. pic.twitter.com/OdPgc0ouky

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 4, 2025

Marisa Van Der Meer returns

Good signing. Glad she has been able to recover from the injuries. Hope she has a clean run for a long while now. 

Plenty of options at the back now. With so many CB signed. Surely we are looking at a back 3 with wingbacks.

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

 

CJ Bott

Emma Main

Sabitra Bhandari (V)

Tiana Jaber
Marisa van der Meer

does the women's league have the same squad limits as the men? We have 20 including 4 scholarship contracts so plenty of room for Macey to make her comeback!

So I understand that squad size is 18 min. 23 max. Not including scholarship players. But must include two goal keepers.
Previous seasons we have contracted 18 players. We are now up to 16 by 2nd Bests list.

We still have one visa spot open
We only have one GK signed with-in that 18-23.
Rebecca Lakes status has not been announced by the club either way.
Macey Fraser has just become a free agent.

Edit. The two goalkeeper rule seems to be a bit loose. So not so sure about that one.

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

Pia Vlok  (scholarship)

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Will she get picked up by another A League Club ?

If we sign Macey, where would they use the last visa spot? Another CM or ST?

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Id say there is a good chance she's coming back. Could be why we have taken longer on the last import

I thought we might be looking to play some variation of 5-3-2 / 3-4-3.  But with Lake not returning (leaving 4 senior CBs for 3 positions..though maybe Middag would be additional cover?), and if Fraser is coming back, maybe it is more a 4-4-3. 

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If we get Macey back and use the final import spot well... Holy moly that's a doozy of a squad. Unbelievably excited for this season

wilbaker

If we sign Macey, where would they use the last visa spot? Another CM or ST?

If we do sign Faser. I think we need more striker options. That's where Is see the last visa spot going.

2ndBest

I thought we might be looking to play some variation of 5-3-2 / 3-4-3.  But with Lake not returning (leaving 4 senior CBs for 3 positions..though maybe Middag would be additional cover?), and if Fraser is coming back, maybe it is more a 4-4-3. 

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There are plenty of CB options. Middag most recently played as a CB. And Bott would also go well as a RCB in a back 3. Both could also play CDM.
Elliot is also an option as a wingback.
Even if Fraser signs our attacking midfield is pretty young. Can maybe see Jale moving into midfield as an option. Leaving us light up top. But with one more visa signing to come. Leon could also play higher up field.
Overall. Pretty versatile squad by the looks

2ndBest

I thought we might be looking to play some variation of 5-3-2 / 3-4-3.  But with Lake not returning (leaving 4 senior CBs for 3 positions..though maybe Middag would be additional cover?), and if Fraser is coming back, maybe it is more a 4-4-3. 

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If they let us line up with 12 on the pitch we'll do well, but it'd be a bigger scandal than dronegate.

Ranix

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Will she get picked up by another A League Club ?

You'd hope yes another ALW team would give her a go.
Newcastle basically have a Kiwi coach now with Stephen Hoyle.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/05/centre-back-rebecca-lake-leaves-phoenix-after-two-injury-disrupted-seasons/

Rebecca Lake looks back on her time in Wellington with fondness, despite injuries curtailing her involvement on the pitch.

“Although my last season ended with injury, I loved my time at the Nix,” Lake said.

“Thank you to the club, my teammates, and the incredible fans. I’ll always treasure the memories, and I look forward to what’s next.

“I wish the club all the best for the upcoming season. They have an awesome team, excellent staff, top-class facilities, and I’m confident they’ll make the finals this season.”

Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman spoke to Lake to tell her the club wouldn’t be offering her a new contract.

“Having that conversation was not easy given how hard Bex has worked to get to this point,” Priestman said. “She will be a great addition wherever she heads next.

“I have tracked Bex for some time and got to see her play live up here when Cashmere Tech played the Phoenix reserves, and she had a really good game.

“She was a great asset to the club, a good character in the dressing room by all accounts, and we wish her all the best moving forward.”

Ranix

wilbaker

If we sign Macey, where would they use the last visa spot? Another CM or ST?

If we do sign Faser. I think we need more striker options. That's where Is see the last visa spot going.

Was told weeks ago they were talking to a visa striker was given the impression it was nearly a done deal. Have no idea whats happened would have expected it to be done by know.

It was a choice between VDM and Lake I guess.
Im still a bit surprised they have let Lake go.

Fenix

It was a choice between VDM and Lake I guess.
Im still a bit surprised they have let Lake go.

Yeh. Jaber maybe a bit lucky. 
But then Lake has been injury prone. Can't remember Jaber ever getting injured.

Ranix

Fenix

It was a choice between VDM and Lake I guess.
Im still a bit surprised they have let Lake go.

Yeh. Jaber maybe a bit lucky. 
But then Lake has been injury prone. Can't remember Jaber ever getting injured.

Jaber can also play full back, not sure if Lake has done that?

I thought Lake might have been an option a CDM too, she's got the skill set for it, she's also been part of the leadership group too, and Priestman did say it was one of the toughest calls to tell her she wouldn't be re-signed.
VDM was re-signed after two major injuries so assume it wasn't because she is considered 'injury prone'. Can't fit them all in I guess...

Probably also depends on just who they still have lined up to sign.

Fenix

It was a choice between VDM and Lake I guess.
Im still a bit surprised they have let Lake go.

It was a contactual obligation for MVDM, see https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/marisa-to-miss-24-25-season/

In consultation with the Phoenix, she has decided to continue her rehab in Auckland, where she has recently graduated as a physiotherapist, and aims to return to football next year.

The club will offer van der Meer a new contract for the 2025-26 A-League if she successfully completes a medical assessment by next September.