![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/Mackenzie-Barry-1.jpg?w=1200\")
\u201cSometimes you have to deal with that. Last year we had six in that situation against Western, so it\u2019s nice to be on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Phoenix will also be refreshed by an international break, which Temple sees a positive for the team\u2019s development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a way it was a good time overall. It\u2019s allowed us to do more work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe really improved against Adelaide, and we were very strong, especially first half with the ball, and good defensively second half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve built some really strong foundations.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The break has also allowed import signing Alivia Kelly time to settle into her new environment, and she could make her debut on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s given us time to get Alivia in, introduce her to the team, get her working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s an amazing athlete, that\u2019s for sure. She\u2019s got good size, strong, good in the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it complements what we have as well. Tiana (Jaber) and Mack (Barry) are also strong athletically so it\u2019s good, fits the mould that we\u2019re looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s comfortable on the ball, wants to build out from the back, which is why she was in the group we were looking at to bring in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s settled in really well and I think she\u2019ll be a big addition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is more good news on the personnel front, with captain Annalie Longo ready to return after a nasty collision in round three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnnalie is good to go. She was physically good last week, and she wanted to play. It was still painful at that point, but that tenderness has gone away in these two weeks. While the opening rounds of the competition have not produced the results that Temple was looking for, he is confident in the team\u2019s process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re still blending as a team. We know that with a short pre-season, we are still finding out about each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s not going to be perfect at the moment, but it\u2019s something that will evolve as the season goes on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s the biggest challenge, because people want results here and now, but the reality is that you\u2019re still piecing all your parts together, it\u2019s a bit of a moving jigsaw at times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One player who has impressed through the first four weeks is Maya McCutcheon, who scored the winner against Adelaide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s settled in really well. She\u2019s a really good person, and has settled into the Kiwi culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t had to wait for her to come up to speed with the performances and the league, which is a sign of a good professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s come in as a 6, played that position and done that really well, but she\u2019s also adding value on attack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fifth round Ninja A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar is scheduled to kick-off at Porirua Park in Wellington at 4pm Sunday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/Alivia-Kelly.jpg?w=1200\")
\u201cShe\u2019s trained all the way through, even into the Adelaide game, so she hasn\u2019t really missed a bit in terms of fitness. She played 90 minutes last week in an internal game, so she\u2019s good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/12\/Carolina-Vilao-4.jpg?w=1200\")