by Alyce Collett (18/5/26)
Above: The Wellington Phoenix ahead of the 2025/26 A-League Women’s Grand Final. Photo: Tilly McDonald for Impetus.
For every Grand Final champion there is a vanquished team on the other side of the equation, and unfortunately for the Wellington Phoenix it was them on Saturday afternoon after they lost the 2025/26 A-League Women’s Grand Final to Melbourne City.
But for both the Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry and coach Bev Priestman, there was an overwhelming feeling of pride post match despite the obvious hurt on their faces.
“I think it was a tough way to end the season, especially since it was so positive for us” Barry said.
“We’ve improved so much. I think we were a super competitive team this season, and just to end on a loss is tough. But I do think Melbourne City were the better team tonight. So to finish second, we’re still really happy with how we performed.”
“I think we didn’t give the best account of ourselves in the first half, and I think when you’re not at your best, a team like City can punish you” Priestman reflected.
“They’ve got the players. I think some of them goals were great goals. But you know what, what I am proud of is I think the second half, we gave a much better account of ourselves. We never gave up, which I think is important.
“But yeah it wasn’t our best night, and I think to beat City with their experience in a grand final, you have to be at your best and, and we weren’t.
“But what I would say is it doesn’t define our season. I think that’s the most important thing. I think we, the players, the staff, have to hold their heads high.”
The question was posed to Priestman about whether her side had gotten overawed in the first half because it was their first Grand Final, and she said that there was “lot of things” at play that affected how her side played.
“I thought we looked tired. [The] extra time last week, the travel, you don’t know these things, right? You’ll only ever know when you unpick it a little bit after the game.
“But, it was a big occasion. I listened to that New Zealand anthem, and players are in tears in that because that’s what it means. They know [what] the bigger purpose was, there’s some Kiwis in that team. You could just see the moment right? So yeah, it may be the occasion, but like I say, I’m super proud. I couldn’t be any prouder of them, and we will be better for this moment.”
Another thing that Priestman agreed on was that she had strong belief that her team would come back hungrier and ambitious to go one step further next season.
“I’ve seen people be at their best when they’re hungry, and I think this leaves a little bit on us, and in many ways it might help us next year, right? To push to another level.” Priestman proposed.
“I’ve got an ambitious club. [The chatter] is about improving for next season.
“I’m at my best in these moments. The hunger, the desire to push forward. I think everybody will channel that now. When we turn up in preseason for next season, we all know what could have been right? And I think what you learn about people in difficult moments is those who then grab it by the scruff of the neck and push forward.
“So I think I’ve got a very dedicated, humble group of players who all wanted the best for the club that they put the shirt on. It wasn’t through a lack of effort, it was just on the day we weren’t at our best, and that’s finals football.”
Barry also said that there was a feeling of hunger amongst the playing group to go even further next season.
“Yeah definitely. We already want to play Melbourne City again and step it up again, because we know that, as you saw in the second half, that we can beat them and create good chances” Barry said.
“It was a slow start, I think, in the first half, and unfortunately they capitalised on our mistakes. But we just want to play them again and have a more consistent performance, and I think we can beat them in the future.”
Barry is one of a few Phoenix players that have been at the club since they joined the competition, and agreed that she had seen “huge amount” of growth in the side since that first season.
“When I first started, it was hard to score a goal or even win a game, so we’ve grown so much” Barry said.
“This season has been amazing for me. I’ve enjoyed it very much. We’ve just gone from strength to strength.
“Even though we’ve had setbacks with injuries, we’ve just overcome them and scored a lot of goals, which is so exciting. In previous seasons, we’ve really struggled to do that.
“We’re an exciting team to watch, and I think that’s great for us.”
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