Jeff Hopkins is backing Melbourne Victory’s brainpower to get the better of Wellington Phoenix this weekend.
His team play across the Tasman Sea in Matchweek 2, doing battle with last season’s runners-up, both on the regular season ladder and in the Grand Final, at Hrny Stadium on Sunday, October 25, kick-off 10:15am AEDT.
The Girls in Blue are on their travels once more, having won 0-1 at Western Sydney Wanderers in their 2026/27 curtain-raiser at Wanderers Park.
Wellington were on the scoresheet against Melbourne City, taking the lead on home soil, but slipped to a late defeat to start their campaign.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Hopkins responded to questions about how his team will handle the early kick-off in New Zealand.
“It’s more a mental thing, because we start training at 10 o’clock every morning. We are going over a day early as well, so we can train over there leading into the game. So, it’s more about your mental approach to the game.”
The Head coach also gave an update on player availability ahead of the trip, hoping to have Nicki Flannery in contention for her first minutes of the new term.
“Nicki will be the closest. She’s been training fully now for just over a week. When she did have that little niggle back in the middle of pre-season, she was super fit and in great condition, and she still is, so she won’t take long.”
Alongside Hopkins for pre-match media duties was Alana Jančevski, the matchwinner in Western Sydney thanks to a wicked first-half free kick.
She explained how an off-season reset, including hard work on and off the pitch, is paying early dividends.
“We’ve worked really hard on the track. But I think even off the field, we’ve worked really hard to push the culture and make all the new girls feel welcome, but also kind of reinvent ourselves – that’s been really nice to see. There’s a really competitive environment on the field, and we’re really enjoying it.
“Having that base and foundation, where we’re all in it together, and we’re all moving in the same direction, that’s going to allow for everything.”
