Wollongong-based Phoenix buoyed by Taylor's return

After doing two weeks in quarantine, the former Wellington captain returned with a bang, playing the full game in the side's 1-1 draw with the Roar on March 21. However, Taylor was subbed off after just 10 minutes in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Macarthur FC at WIN Stadium due to a tight quad.

There are doubts whether Taylor will play in Wellington's next home game against Melbourne City on Monday night. But teammate Joshua Laws - who replaced Taylor in defence on Sunday - says the 35-year-old is having a positive impact on the squad.

"He's a bit of a character, a good player to have in the change room. Straight away, he creates an atmosphere around him. I've only known him for a week or two, but I can recognise that. It's great to have him back and hopefully his injury isn't too serious because I think he will be a real viable asset for us in the next few months," Laws said. "But I think 'Stevie' is always upbeat... I think he left a big hole when he left the club. It's good for the team to have him back. But I think he will have a positive influence on the team, whether he's fit at that current moment or not."

Read more: Hawks' home run presents fresh challenges

It's been a roller coaster season for Laws after signing with the Phoenix last October. Less than a month later, the club relocated to the Illawarra due to travel restrictions caused by Covid.

The 23-year-old, who is part of the Olyroos set up, has played eight games in his debut A-League campaign, but believes there is plenty of room for improvement - both individually and as a team.

"I think we have been kind of up and down in terms of our performance over the season. But we've been unlucky to lose some of the games we have. We've conceded goals that we didn't have to concede, and then chasing the game is hard, especially when teams park it in the last 20 minutes. You can see we're trying everything to get the ball in the back of the net, and sometimes it's too late," Laws said.

"The only way we can approach it is to keep going. There's still games left to be played with still everything up for grabs. So we'll move, it happens, and focus on the game against City."

In the past week, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed plans for a new trans-Tasman travel bubble. The move could open the door for the Phoenix to return home this season.

"We're in a pretty different environment than the players have been used to the last couple of years. I personally don't have much experience of it in New Zealand, but I wish I did, because I've heard a lot of good things about what it's like at the (Sky) Stadium," he said. "But I think Wollongong has done really well to cater for us and make us feel at home. The whole city has come out to support us and we've had a corporation with the Wollongong Wolves to create a bit of community around the club. But I don't think you can replace what it's like to play in front of your home fans."