It was disappointing to see the Wellington Phoenix season come to an end over the weekend, the side deserving a place in the finals for their sacrifices this year.
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Unfortunately it was not to be, the Phoenix finishing seventh and one point outside the top six, but they should be commended for the work they have done in the Wollongong football community.
There's plenty for the region to learn from the Phoenix's experience, the need for elite facilities top of the list.
Ufuk Talay did a good job utilising the University of Wollongong's grounds, but sharing fields with other sports is not a sustainable option for a side competing in a national competition.
Had they progressed to the finals, the Phoenix were a genuine chance of taking out the competition. We're left with a wide-open race to the decider, Melbourne City on top but vulnerable with Jamie Maclaren away on international duties.
Sydney FC don't seem to have missed a beat without their Socceroos stars, while a championship would complete a fairytale season for the Mariners.
Macarthur are the big dangers, the retirement of Mark Milligan will spur them along and they have real experience within their team that will prove crucial in sudden-death football.
