AAP Soccer

Phoenix reach ALW grand final as Woods cuts down Roar

May 10, 2026

Makala Woods. — Makala Woods (r), with Roar's Tahlia Franco (l), has sent Wellington to their first ALW grand final. -AAP Image

Wellington Phoenix are just one win away from their first A-League Women crown after defeating Brisbane Roar 2-0 after extra time to advance to the grand final.

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Makala Woods grabbed a first half goal and added a second in the first period of extra time at Porirua Park on Sunday to help Wellington overcome a first-leg deficit and down the Roar 3-2 on aggregate.

The Phoenix, who finished the regular season in second spot, will meet premiers Melbourne City at AAMI Park next Saturday in the biggest game in the history of Wellington's ALW side.

Wellington entered the ALW in 2021 and became perennial strugglers, missing the finals in the past four seasons.

But the arrival of former Canada coach Bev Priestman as manager in the off-season has turned the Phoenix into contenders.

Priestman coached Canada at the Paris Olympics and received a year-long ban for using drones to spy on opponents.

"It's amazing, we've been working for this for five years," said Wellington captain Mackenzie Barry.

"We've had such a hard season, the girls have been amazing, Bev's been amazing and I'm so happy and can't wait for next week.

"It's overwhelming and I feel so proud of this club, we've gone through it - had two bottom of the table (finishes) - and now we've been building up and we're in the final."

Wellington's cause - in front of a record home crowd of 5,923 - was aided by the fact Matildas star Tameka Yallop was forced to come off midway through extra time with a suspected hamstring injury.

Brisbane led 2-1 coming into Sunday's second leg but found their advantage erased in the 42nd minute when Woods found the back of the net.

The 'Nix played long on the counter and American striker Woods beat the offside trap to dart in on goal and poke her shot beyond the reach of Chloe Lincoln to level the tie.

Woods was twice denied by Lincoln as the Phoenix pushed for a late winner to send the game into extra time.

But after Yallop went off with injury, Woods hit home in the 102nd minute when Angie Beard misjudged a Brooke Nunn cross.

Woods was able to benefit from Beard's error and the 23-year-old striker, who has seven goals in 14 games since arriving in the ALW in January, finished past Lincoln to send Wellington into their first grand final.