Speaking from a Wollongong hotel, DeVere is enjoying the Illawarra sunshine: it's welcome respite from the chilly winds of Wellington. The club can't return to New Zealand due to travel restrictions, instead setting up camp in the Gong for pre-season training.

"It's been a little bit of a pleasant change coming in with this weather rather than hugging yourself on the pitch, feeling freezing cold," 31-year-old DeVere said. "It's been a bit more of an easier experience to get back into training this time around.

''I think a few of the Kiwi boys might not want to admit it, but they're probably enjoying the warmer climate."

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The pre-season camp began at the University of Wollongong in early November.

While it's a nice change of scenery, DeVere said it had been a hard slog at training.

"We've been put through our paces with the staff working us pretty hard at the moment," he said.

"But that's what you expect from pre-season and we have a number of new boys who have joined the group. We're trying to get them up to speed on what we're all about, and get fitness into our legs as quickly as we can."

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While has been no official confirmation, the Mercury understands the Phoenix will extend their Wollongong stay. The A-League season starts on December 27.

No matter where they set up base, DeVere believes it's crucial to be flexible and adapt to the uncertainty of what happens next.

"I think we're getting used to to the uncertainty and chaos," he said. "Whilst it's a new experience, and one that I probably hoped I didn't have to experience in my career, the club's doing the best they can to make it an easy transition for the players in a tough time. But it's been a tough time and chaotic time for everyone, not just footballers this year."

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Now an A-League stalwart, DeVere's journey began in Brisbane back in 2008. He spent three seasons with the Roar before deciding to try his luck overseas. He returned to Brisbane in 2015, enjoying another four-season stint, before deciding to move to Wellington last year.

It proved to be a good fit.

Despite the stop-start nature of the season, Wellington finished third before bowing out 1-0 to Perth in an elimination final.

"It was the highest that the club has ever achieved in terms of position on the ladder, but a lot of players felt like we had unfinished business in the way we went out," DeVere said.

"When I initially went over there, it was the challenge of what [Phoenix head coach] Ufuk [Talay] wanted to do. The conversations I had with him were probably the main driving factors for going over there... the way he saw the game and how he wants to play appealed to me.

''Culture-wise, we set up a few things at the start of last season and I'm sure the stability we've had with the same coach and same core of players will help carry those things through."