Ahead of The Nix's playoff clash with Melly City, the lads spun a few words in preview.

Diggity Doc: I'm not sure how many times we've been here before Wildcard, I think once? But even then, it felt like the Wellington Phoenix were possibly out of their depth. This time around the head into the A-League finals well and truly deserving of their spot. But, as is the way with finals footy, a loss to Melbourne City would undo all that hard work. How you feeling matey?

Wildcard: I can tell ya Doc, we've made the playoffs three times, all in a row during the glory years of Paul Ifill. The first year was the big run where we lost in the semi to a ridiculous handball goal (plus three more) against Sydney, the next we were dumped at Adelaide first round and the one after that we beat Sydney at home (late Ifill penalty) before losing to Perth in extra time. We've got a decent playoff record, ya know, we're just not great at getting there. And I'll tell ya I'm feeling confident. Next week will be the opposite should we win here, but for now it's positive. Never lost a playoff game at home, Doc, and we're not about to start now (knock on wood...).

DD: Way to make me look daft there chief, but would you say that you're more confident about this team than the three teams who made the finals before?

WC: Yeah I would, for sure. That one run we made, every game was uncharted territory, and we won the first game on penalties, so it could easily have been over at the first hurdle. It's been a couple years since we last made it, but a lot has changed. Ernie Merrick is a brilliant manager who'll thrive where Herbert didn't, and our squad is that little bit better. Plus I know we slipped to fourth (which was really fifth but for the Perth Un-Glory), but we were right up the top just a few weeks ago. Winning games in Oz, and scoring more goals than ever before. Hell yeah I'm confident. In fact I'll be pissed if we don't win. And we got the best team to play too, Melly City are on a bit of a slump, I'm pretty glad we ended up with them instead of Brisbane.

DD: We have a bit of a false barometer with the Nix and City playing out a 0-0 draw a few weeks ago, a pretty exciting 0-0 draw at that. You can look at that and think that City will pose a major test, but then again the Nix weren't really at their best. Like you, I'm confident but the big key for me is if our goal scorers wake up on the right side of the bed. Our defence is nice, as always and we'll be tough to break down but we've seen over the course of the season that sometimes we leave our shooting boots at home.

WC: I'm a little worried that we've seen a few sloppy bits of defence creeping into the side the last month or so, but they get the benefit of the doubt. Siggy missed a couple games in that stretch and a few different guys playing at fullback. Yes, the goals are the issue, coz on our day we can out-score anyone. That other game against City was in Melbourne too, and if I remember right Roy Krishna missed a penalty in the first half. So we must be the bookie's favourites. Only one win in our last five games though, do you think that'll play a part? Like we sorta stumbled into the playoffs, even if the performances weren't awful.

DD: For some teams I think it would but Ernie Merrick's made it pretty clear that the results aren't the most important thing. Of course you've got to win games but as long as they made the finals, he always sounded like he was more keen on seeing them improve each week. Now it's late in the season and they weren't exactly showing those improvements the last few games but, like you said, there were many changes to their side and I reckon it just became a case of 'let's just do what we gotta do to get by'. We both know the key is having Albert Riera there along with the likes of Roly Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey, having them and the rest of the team available is the key. They know how to play with each other, but we haven't really seen a great deal of that lately.

WC: Yeah, no real injuries too, which is enormous (assuming Mossy's all good, which we are). Ernie will be able to pick from his best possible team. Well, aside from Joel Griffiths but he wasn't there that long, though it's a shame because him on the bench would have been a handy weapon, a guy of his class. Moss in goal, Siggy & Dura in front of him, Riera and Roly will be there, Burnsy and Wee Mac too. The only wonders are:

a) Will Krishna hold his spot up top?

b) Rodriguez or Lia?

c) Who plays fullback?

I'm voting yes, Roddy and Boxall/Muscat. Chuck some Fenton, a splash of Kenny and maybe a lil Lia on the bench, there ya go.

DD: I'm going to agree with you for the most part. Krishna creates shit, he's dynamic and has a go which may not always end directly in goals but chances are created for him and others. I like Roddy, I like him more than Lia and having some experience come off the bench when you're winning in a finals match is always handy. However, I prefer Fenton. Boxall's good, he's big and he's quick but Fenton just offers a bit more impact down that right flank. He always finds a way around defenders and just seems more likely. With Fenton on the right though, you need the Manny there which shouldn't be a surprise. We'll finish with a score prediction and one key factor, whether it be a player or whatever who/which will be crucial for the Nix to win because we're both gonna pick a Nix win #COYN

WC: Yep, although it's never as simple as it seems. We'll have to earn it tough and I wouldn't be shocked if it went beyond 90 minutes either. I think we take it 2-1, goals to Burns and Krishna, and my key factor is this: I wanna see Burns take at least five shots. Be aggressive and test the keeper. Ruthlessness in front of goal. Come on you Nix!

DD: I'm gonna go with 1-0, Albert Riera is the key as usual. Defence wins you shit and Riera will step into the spotlight as the games get more and more important. I'll bring a double dose of guacamole on Sunday for ya.