by Maddison Hagger (2/2/26)
Above: Pia Vlok (yellow and black kit) in action for Wellington Phoenix. Photo: Ryan Imray for Impetus.
Wellington Phoenix’s teen sensation Pia Vlok played a stunning game against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday, becoming the second youngest player to score a hat-trick in the A-League.
The Nix dismantled the Jets in the first 25 minutes, going on to win 5-1 and maintaining their second place spot on the ladder.
Vlok’s first goal came just 10 minutes into the match after working with Makala Woods to sustain pressure on the Jets’ debutant keeper Georgia Ritchie. Newcastle attempted to play out from the back, but the Phoenix turned the ball over and Grace Jale found Vlok unopposed at the top of the box. With incredible composure under pressure from the Jets’ defenders bearing down, Vlok intelligently took a touch to the right and found space to take the shot into the bottom left corner.
That strike set the tone for the game, with Vlok’s second goal coming just five minutes later. Woods found her on the right and the 17-year-old drove forward to the top of the box taking a low shot across goal into the back of the net.
It’s clear the Phoenix have a rising star in their midst. The teenager joined the Wellington club in September following success with domestic league side Auckland United. Prior to that, Vlok was named the best player at the 2024 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship before going on to represent New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Vlok made her debut for the Phoenix as a substitute against Canberra United in their season opening game. She impressed head coach Bev Priestman so much that she earned a starting spot against the Newcastle Jets just a week later.
The midfielder also provided a bright spark in the club’s previous outing against the Jets, registering her first assist just four minutes into the clash. Her link up with forward Brooke Nunn produced results when Vlok slipped the ball in behind the Jets’ defence for Nunn to squeeze a shot past the keeper. She continued to combine well with Nunn in the second-half, sending a second defence-splitting ball through to the forward.
Vlok plays with the confidence of a young talent, bringing drive and determination. She doesn’t hesitate to take shots, registering one in just the third minute moments before providing the assist against the Jets in their first outing this season. Again, in the second half, it took less than 60 seconds for the attacker to register the first shot.
With the Phoenix facing multiple injuries to experienced players, younger members have been given the opportunity to step up to the mantle. Vlok has taken that chance head on, making history as the Phoenix’s youngest ever goal scorer. That same goal was the winner in the club’s first ever success against Melbourne Victory.
In Round 13 against Canberra United, Priestman turned to her bench for energy and vigour, bringing on Vlok and Daisy Brazendale. Vlok sealed the win with confidence in the sixth minute of added time by launching an adventurous shot 25-yards out from goal to best keeper Sally James who was back-tracking to her line.
Priestman says she is encouraging this confidence in Vlok and the Phoenix players to go for goal:
“I think we’ve stopped looking for the perfect goal or the perfect pass and I’ve challenged the group now for this back-end of the season about being brave.”
With her ability to link the midfield to strikers and her talented passes in behind defensive lines, Vlok looks like a natural 10. She combines well with forwards like Nunn, and against the Jets, played multiple slicing passes straight through the midfield. But this season she has been flexible in position, playing as a 10, a wingback, and sometimes a nine. Priestman says this fluidity is a key part of the team’s style of play:
“When you recruit good footballers with good football IQ, you can move them around […] having players that can play in different positions makes a massive difference […] It’s a big part of what we do.”
However, Vlok’s ground control outweighs her aerial duels. With a success rate around 37.5%, her heading and aerial positioning are areas for development, despite her height. And with the Jets’ defenders strong in the air, the Phoenix looked to play the ball to her feet rather than competing for headers.
Against the Jets on Sunday, the young talent sealed the Phoenix’s three game win streak in the 64th minute and made history as the club’s first ever player to score a hat-trick. A ball through midfield from Woods at the halfway line found Vlok who got behind the defensive line and drove forward to the top of the box. Jets’ keeper Ritchie came forward to cut down the angle but Vlok intelligently chopped onto her left foot and made no mistake, slamming the ball past the keeper to find her third goal.
Ultimately the Jets’ defensive line were unable to handle a relentless Phoenix who put immense pressure on the young keeper and were given space and opportunity in dangerous areas. They were also unable to handle Vlok’s aggression, urgency, and footballing smarts.
With history made, the talented teenager was substituted off in the 72nd minute. She now stands as the Phoenix’s top goal scorer this season and sixth in the league’s golden boot race.
As the season continues into the back-end, Vlok must continue to prove herself as a core player in the squad by showing her intelligence and confidence. Under a coach like Priestman who is known for and passionate about developing young players, the teen is in the right place.
“This club is big on promoting young players and if they’re good enough they’re old enough and I’m delighted for them to go and deliver.”
There is a very high likelihood, as the Phoenix’s most in-form young player, that we could see Vlok stepping up into the Football Ferns, following the likes of Milly Clegg and other young Phoenix talents.
“She’s great technically and she’s athletic. I think New Zealand have a great player on their hands for the future. I think she’s Football Ferns material.”
Could this call-up come as soon as the Ferns’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Oceania qualifiers at the end of February? And how long until she starts piquing interest from leagues overseas? Watch this space.
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