2018–19 Wellington Phoenix FC season

The 2018–19 Wellington Phoenix season was the club's 12th season since its establishment in 2007. The club participated in the A-League for the 12th time, the FFA Cup for the fifth time, and fielded a reserves squad in the ISPS Handa Premiership for the fifth time.

Wellington Phoenix
2018–19 season
ChairmanRob Morrison
ManagerMarko Rudan
StadiumWestpac Stadium, Wellington
A-League6th
A-League Finals SeriesElimination-finals
FFA CupRound of 32
Top goalscorerLeague: Roy Krishna (18 goals)
All: Roy Krishna (19 goals)
Highest home attendance23,648 vs. Melbourne Victory
(15 February 2019)
Lowest home attendance4,829 vs. Perth Glory
(2 December 2018)
Average home league attendance8,533

Review

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This season marked the club surpassing its record of 7 games unbeaten to 9 games unbeaten. Roy Krishna became Wellington Phoenix's all time leading goal scorer overtaking Paul Ifill's record of 33 and also broke the record for most goals in a single season for the club with 19. The club also broke its record of biggest home attendance for a non-final match with 23,648 people against Melbourne Victory in Eden Park on 15 February 2019. This season was the first time since 2015 the Phoenix played in the Finals Series. However, they lost 3-1 in the elimination final to Melbourne Victory. [1]

Players

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Squad information

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   POL Filip Kurto
3 DF   NZL Justin Gulley
4 MF   ESP Mandi
5 DF   AUS Ryan Lowry
7 FW   IRL Cillian Sheridan
9 FW   AUS Nathan Burns
11 FW   AUS David Williams
12 DF   AUS Antony Golec
13 DF   NZL Liberato Cacace
14 MF   NZL Alex Rufer
15 MF   POL Michał Kopczyński
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF   NZL Louis Fenton
17 MF   NZL Callan Elliot
18 MF   NZL Sarpreet Singh
19 DF   NZL Tom Doyle
20 GK   NZL Oliver Sail
21 FW   FIJ Roy Krishna
22 DF   NZL Andrew Durante (captain)
23 MF   AUS Max Burgess
27 DF   ENG Steven Taylor
31 FW   NZL Ben Waine (scholarship)
32 MF   AUS Gianni Stensness (scholarship)

From youth squad

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N
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
Notes
13 DF   Liberato Cacace 17 2-year professional contract[2]
31 FW   Ben Waine 17 academy player[3]
32 MF   Gianni Stensness 20 1-year professional contract[4]

Transfers in

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No. Position Player Transferred from Type/fee Contract length Date Ref
27 DF   Steven Taylor   Peterborough United Free transfer 1 year 10 July 2018 [5]
1 GK   Filip Kurto   Roda JC Free transfer 1 year[6] 18 July 2018 [7]
16 MF Louis Fenton Free transfer 1 year 22 July 2018 [8]
8 MF   Mitch Nichols Free transfer 2 years 23 July 2018 [9]
11 FW   David Williams Free transfer 1 year 23 July 2018 [9]
15 MF   Michał Kopczyński   Legia Warsaw Loan 1 year 25 July 2018 [10]
23 MF   Max Burgess   Sydney Olympic Free transfer 1 year 11 October 2018 [11]
4 MF   Mandi   Almería Free transfer 1 year 12 October 2018 [12]
3 MF   Reuben Way   Heidelberg United Free transfer 1 year 17 October 2018 [13]
17 MF Callan Elliot   Tasman United Free transfer 1 year 17 October 2018 [13]
40 GK   Ante Covic Injury replacement 1 week 6 December 2018 [14]
7 FW   Cillian Sheridan Free transfer 1 year 3 January 2019 [15]
3 DF Justin Gulley   Team Wellington Free transfer 29 January 2019 [16]
12 DF Antony Golec Central Coast Mariners Free transfer 1 year 30 January 2019 [17]

Transfers out

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No. Position Player Transferred to Type/fee Date Ref
13 DF   Marco Rossi Free transfer 18 April 2018 [18]
10 MF Michael McGlinchey Mutual contract termination 1 May 2018 [19]
30 GK Keegan Smith   Lower Hutt City Free transfer 4 May 2018 [20]
23 MF Matthew Ridenton Newcastle Jets Free transfer 9 May 2018 [21]
8 MF   Matija Ljujić   Belenenses Mutual contract termination 1 June 2018 [22]
4 MF   Goran Paracki End of contract 13 June 2018 [23]
9 FW   Andrija Kaluđerović End of contract 13 June 2018 [23]
40 GK   Tando Velaphi Perth Glory Free transfer 2 July 2018 [24]
15 MF James McGarry   Willem II Free transfer 12 July 2018 [25]
24 FW Logan Rogerson   Carl Zeiss Jena Free transfer 18 July 2018 [26]
1 GK   Lewis Italiano   Stirling Lions Free transfer 19 July 2018 [27]
12 MF   Adam Parkhouse Mutual contract termination 20 July 2018 [28]
40 GK   Ante Covic 13 December 2018 [29]
8 MF   Mitch Nichols Mutual contract termination 15 January 2019 [30]
3 DF   Reuben Way 15 January 2019 [30]
6 DF   Dylan Fox Mutual contract termination 13 March 2019 [31]

Contract extensions

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No. Name Position Duration Date Notes
22 Andrew Durante Central defender 1 year 18 May 2018 [2]
14 Alex Rufer Midfielder 1 year 6 August 2018 [32]
27   Steven Taylor Defender 1 year 18 February 2019 [33]
16 Louis Fenton Full-back 2 years 22 February 2019 [34]
14 Alex Rufer Midfielder 1 year 27 February 2019 [35]
20 Oliver Sail Goalkeeper 2 years 5 April 2019 [36]
17 Callan Elliot Attacking midfielder 1 year 24 April 2019 [37]

Technical staff

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Position Name
Head coach   Marko Rudan
Assistant coach   Chris Greenacre
Goalkeeping coach   Paul Gothard
Reserves team coach   Steve Coleman
Strength & Conditioning coach   Aidan Wivell

Squad statistics

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Appearances and goals

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N Pos. Nat. Name Total A-League FFA Cup
Apps Goals       Apps Goals       Apps Goals      
1 GK   Filip Kurto 23 0 0 0 0 22+0 0 0 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
3 DF   Justin Gulley 0 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
4 MF   Mandi 21 2 3 0 1 21+0 2 3 0 1 0+0 0 0 0 0
5 DF   Ryan Lowry 10 0 2 0 1 4+5 0 2 0 1 1+0 0 0 0 0
7 FW   Cillian Sheridan 13 1 2 0 0 1+12 1 2 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
9 FW   Nathan Burns 11 0 1 0 0 6+4 0 1 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
11 FW   David Williams 23 11 1 0 0 18+5 11 1 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
12 DF   Antony Golec 5 0 2 0 0 4+1 0 2 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
13 MF   Liberato Cacace 23 1 3 0 0 22+0 1 3 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
14 MF   Alex Rufer 23 0 10 0 0 21+1 0 10 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0
15 MF   Michał Kopczyński 20 0 1 0 0 14+5 0 1 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
16 DF   Louis Fenton 22 3 4 0 0 22+0 3 4 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
17 MF   Callan Elliot 2 0 0 0 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
18 MF   Sarpreet Singh 23 5 5 0 0 20+2 5 5 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
19 DF   Tom Doyle 16 0 4 0 0 13+2 0 4 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0
20 GK   Oliver Sail 3 0 2 0 0 2+1 0 2 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
21 FW   Roy Krishna 24 15 5 1 0 23+0 15 5 1 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
22 DF   Andrew Durante 24 0 7 0 0 23+0 0 7 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
23 MF   Max Burgess 19 0 2 0 0 4+15 0 2 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
27 DF   Steven Taylor 19 1 4 0 0 18+0 1 4 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
31 FW   Ben Waine 2 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0
32 MF   Gianni Stensness 3 0 0 0 0 0+3 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
Players no longer at the club:
3 DF   Reuben Way 1 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0
6 DF   Dylan Fox 7 0 0 0 0 3+3 0 0 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
8 MF   Mitch Nichols 8 0 1 0 0 3+4 0 1 0 0 1+0 0 0 0 0
40 GK   Ante Čović                                             0 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0 0+0 0 0 0 0

† = Scholarship or reserves-listed player

Pre-season and friendlies

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11 July 2018 Friendly Wellington Phoenix   2–1   Miramar Rangers Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Stadium: Memorial Park
18 August 2018 Friendly Wellington Phoenix   5–0   Lower Hutt City Wellington, New Zealand
12:00 NZDT Report Stadium: Martin Luckie Park
29 September 2018 Sydney FC   2–1   Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
11:30
Report
Stadium: Macquarie University Sports Fields
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
Referee: Kurt Ams

Competitions

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Overall

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Competition Started round Final
position / round
First match Last match
A-League 6th 21 October 2018 28 April 2019
A-League Finals Elimination-finals Elimination-finals 3 May 2019 3 May 2019
FFA Cup Round of 32 Round of 32 7 August 2018 7 August 2018

A-League

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Perth Glory 27 18 6 3 56 23 +33 60 Qualification for 2020 AFC Champions League group stage and Finals series[a]
2 Sydney FC (C) 27 16 4 7 43 29 +14 52
3 Melbourne Victory 27 15 5 7 50 32 +18 50 Qualification for 2020 AFC Champions League preliminary round 2 and Finals series[a]
4 Adelaide United 27 12 8 7 37 32 +5 44 Qualification for Finals series[a]
5 Melbourne City 27 11 7 9 39 32 +7 40
6 Wellington Phoenix[b] 27 11 7 9 46 43 +3 40
7 Newcastle Jets 27 10 5 12 40 36 +4 35
8 Western Sydney Wanderers 27 6 6 15 42 54 −12 24
9 Brisbane Roar 27 4 6 17 38 71 −33 18
10 Central Coast Mariners 27 3 4 20 31 70 −39 13
Source: A-Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c The top two teams enter the Finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth enter the Finals series at the elimination-finals.
  2. ^ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for the AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.

Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
27 11 7 9 46 43  +3 40 8 2 3 25 17  +8 3 5 6 21 26  −5

Last updated: 7 April 2019.
Source: ultimatealeauge.com

Results by round

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Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
GroundHAHAHHAHHAAAHAHHAAHHAHHAAHA
ResultWDLLLDWWWDDWWDLWLDDLWWWLLWL
Position144799865465556566664444556
Updated to match(es) played on 7 April 2019. Source: ultimatealeague.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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  Win   Draw   Loss

21 October 2018 1 Wellington Phoenix 2–1 Newcastle Jets Wellington
17:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 9,174
Referee: Daniel Elder
28 October 2018 2 Brisbane Roar 0–0 Wellington Phoenix Brisbane
16:00 AEST Report Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 15,129
Referee: Alex King
3 November 2018 3 Wellington Phoenix 0–3 Western Sydney Wanderers Wellington
19:35 NZDT Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 5,339
Referee: Jarred Gillett
9 November 2018 4 Melbourne City 2–0 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
19:50 AEDT
Report Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 6,041
Referee: Adam Fielding
24 November 2018 5 Wellington Phoenix 1–3 Adelaide United Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 4,831
Referee: Kurt Ams
2 December 2018 6 Wellington Phoenix 1–1 Perth Glory Wellington
19:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 4,829
Referee: Adam Kersey
8 December 2018 7 Sydney FC 1–3 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
17:35 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Jubilee Stadium
Attendance: 10,101
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
15 December 2018 8 Wellington Phoenix 2–0 Central Coast Mariners Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 6,970
Referee: Shaun Evans
22 December 2018 9 Wellington Phoenix 4–1 Brisbane Roar Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 6,841
Referee: Kurt Ams
28 December 2018 10 Melbourne Victory 1–1 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
19:50 AEST Toivonen   77' Report Williams   62' Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 20,066
Referee: Daniel Elder
5 January 2019 11 Adelaide United 0–0 Wellington Phoenix Adelaide
17:05 ACDT Report Stadium: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 8,954
Referee: Stephen Lucas
8 January 2019 12 Western Sydney Wanderers 2–3 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
19:50 AEDT
Report
Stadium: ANZ Stadium
Attendance: 7,228
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
12 January 2019 13 Wellington Phoenix 3–2 Central Coast Mariners Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 10,186
Referee: Alex King
20 January 2019 14 Melbourne Victory 3–3 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
17:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 18,136
Referee: Jarred Gillett
23 January 2019 15 Wellington Phoenix 0–1 Sydney FC Wellington
19:35 NZDT Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 8,961
Referee: Daniel Elder
26 January 2019 16 Wellington Phoenix 1–0 Melbourne City Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 8,554
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
2 February 2019 17 Perth Glory 3–0 Wellington Phoenix Perth
19:00 AWST
Report Stadium: HBF Park
Attendance: 9,148
Referee: Shaun Evans
7 February 2019 18 Newcastle Jets 1–1 Wellington Phoenix Newcastle
19:50 AEDT
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 7,394
Referee: Stephan Lucas
15 February 2019 19 Wellington Phoenix 1–1 Melbourne Victory Auckland
19:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 23,648
Referee: Peter Green
23 February 2019 20 Wellington Phoenix 0–1 Sydney FC Sydney
19:35 NZDT Report
Stadium: Campbelltown Stadium
Attendance: 5,115
Referee: Shaun Evans
9 March 2019 21 Central Coast Mariners 2–8 Wellington Phoenix Gosford
19:50 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Central Coast Stadium
Attendance: 3,703
Referee: Chris Beath
17 March 2019 22 Wellington Phoenix 3–1 Western Sydney Wanderers Wellington
19:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 7,685
Referee: Alex King
30 March 2019 23 Wellington Phoenix 4–1 Newcastle Jets Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 9,028
Referee: Matthew Conger
7 April 2019 24 Adelaide United 3–1 Wellington Phoenix Adelaide
16:30 ACDT
Report
Stadium: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 8,343
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
12 April 2019 25 Brisbane Roar 2–1 Wellington Phoenix Brisbane
19:50 AEST
Report
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 6,084
Referee: Peter Green
21 April 2019 26 Wellington Phoenix 3–2 Melbourne City Wellington
19:35 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Westpac Stadium
Attendance: 8,294
Referee: Shaun Evans
28 April 2019 27 Perth Glory 5–0 Wellington Phoenix Perth
17:00 AWST
Report Stadium: HBF Park
Attendance: 9,875
Referee: Stephen Lucas

Finals series

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3 May 2019 Elimination-final Melbourne Victory 3–1 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
19:50 AEST
Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 16,010
Referee: Shaun Evans

FFA Cup

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References

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  1. ^ "End of the road for Mark Rudan as Wellington Phoenix lose elimination final". 4 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Wellington Phoenix bring back Andrew Durante and Liberato Cacace for coming season". Stuff.co.nz. 18 May 2018.
  3. ^ Rollo, Phillip (16 March 2019). "Phoenix coach promotes Wellington schoolboy Ben Waine". Stuff.co.nz.
  4. ^ Rollo, Phillip (5 March 2019). "Wellington Phoenix promote Australian-raised Kiwi youngster Gianni Stensness". Stuff.co.nz.
  5. ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign former Premier League defender Steven Taylor". Stuff.co.nz. 10 July 2018.
  6. ^ Rollo, Phillip (5 March 2019). "Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Filip Kurto could leave at end of A-League campaign". Stuff.co.nz.
  7. ^ "Wellington Phoenix confirm signing of Polish goalkeeper Filip Kurto". Stuff.co.nz. 18 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Things are looking up for fit-again Phoenix player Louis Fenton". Stuff.co.nz. 22 July 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Wellington Phoenix double down on experienced A-League campaigners". Stuff.co.nz. 23 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign Polish midfielder Michal Kopczynski on loan". Stuff.co.nz. 25 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Football: Wellington Phoenix sign Australian midfielder Max Burgess". Newshub. 11 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Wellington Phoenix to unveil former Real Madrid B midfielder Mandi". Stuff.co.nz. 12 October 2018.
  13. ^ a b Rollo, Phillip (17 October 2017). "Callan Elliot begins professional football journey with Wellington Phoenix". Stuff.co.nz.
  14. ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign 43-year-old goalkeeper Ante Covic as injury cover". Stuff.co.nz. 6 December 2018.
  15. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Sign Republic of Ireland International". Wellington Phoenix. 3 January 2019.
  16. ^ Rollo, Phillip (29 January 2019). "Phoenix sign Team Wellington captain Justin Gulley for remainder of season". Stuff.co.nz.
  17. ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign A-League journeyman Antony Golec". Stuff.co.nz. 30 January 2019.
  18. ^ Voerman, Andrew (18 April 2018). "Off-contract Wellington Phoenix defender Marco Rossi confirms his departure". Stuff.co.nz.
  19. ^ "Michael McGlinchey departs the Wellington Phoenix after four seasons". Stuff.co.nz. 1 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Smith Released To Play In Off Season". Wellington Phoenix. 4 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Matthew Ridenton leaving Phoenix to link up with Ernie Merrick at Newcastle Jets". Stuff.co.nz. 9 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Matija Ljucic certo para o meio-campo" [Matija Ljucic right to the midfield]. Report.pt (in Portuguese). 1 June 2018.
  23. ^ a b Hyslop, Liam (13 June 2018). "Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan has faith in Kiwi players". Stuff.co.nz.
  24. ^ "Tando Velaphi returns for Glory". FourFourTwo. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  25. ^ "James McGarry sluit aan bij de Tricolores". Willem-II (in Dutch). 12 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  26. ^ Rollo, Phillip. "German-bound Logan Rogerson blasts Wellington Phoenix for 'unprofessional' lack of communication". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  27. ^ "Stirling: Keeper Lewis Italiano rejoins Lions, the club where it all began". Stirling Times. 19 July 2018.
  28. ^ "Football: Wellington Phoenix part ways with Australian outfielder Adam Parkhouse". Newshub. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  29. ^ "Hyundai Ins and Outs: Round 8". A-League. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Wellington Phoenix release Mitch Nichols and Reuben Way". Stuff.co.nz. 15 January 2019.
  31. ^ Rollo, Phillip (13 March 2019). "Wellington Phoenix release injured defender Dylan Fox". Stuff.co.nz.
  32. ^ Hyslop, Liam (6 August 2018). "Wellington Phoenix re-sign Alex Rufer ahead of FFA Cup match against Bentleigh Greens". stuff.co.nz.
  33. ^ Rollo, Phillip (18 February 2019). "Popular defender Steven Taylor commits to second season with Wellington Phoenix". stuff.co.nz.
  34. ^ Rollo, Phillip (22 February 2019). "Wellington Phoenix lock in hometown product Louis Fenton for two more years". stuff.co.nz.
  35. ^ "Alex Rufer Commits For Another Year At Wellington Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 27 February 2019.
  36. ^ "Wellington Phoenix Goalkeeper Signs Contract Extension". Wellington Phoenix. 5 April 2019.
  37. ^ "Wellington Phoenix re-sign Callan Elliot for 2019/20 season". Wellington Phoenix. 24 April 2019.
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