Article by Macarthur Bulls Junior Reporter, Kaizen JACK
Hi my name is Kaizen and I will take you through the matchday so lets go.
Coming into the final game of the Isuzu Ute A-league season where the stakes are higher than ever and both teams want to end it with a bang. There has been a great history behind the two going back and forth so this match should be interesting.
When talking about their rivalry there has been some great moments, so let’s take deeper dive into it.
Rivalry History
Rivalry Snapshot
Overall head‑to‑head record
Total matches: 15, Macarthur wins: 5, Wellington Phoenix wins: 8, Draws: 2
Goals scored: Macarthur: 14, Wellington: 25
👉 This means Wellington have had slightly more success overall, but the games are often close and competitive.
🔎 Recent matches between the two clubs
Most recent meeting
22 November 2025
Wellington Phoenix 0 – 1 Macarthur FC
Goal: Harrison Sawyer (late winner)
Other recent results
20 January 2025: Macarthur 1 – 2 Wellington
14 December 2024: Wellington 1 – 2 Macarthur
27 April 2024: Wellington 3 – 0 Macarthur
Pattern: Away wins are common, Matches often decided by one goal and Goals tend to come late in games.
What usually happens when they play? 60% of matches have more than 2.5 goals
Stadium Tour
The stadium tour was so much fun! We started by heading onto the pitch going through the tunnel. As this was a special ANZAC Day match, there were some Australian Soliders on the pitch practicing for what would be a moving ceremony before the whistle. I got to run outside the sideline to touch the goal, which was the coolest. We then went to the Macarthur Bulls change rooms where we saw TOMISLAV USKOK! He is so nice and kind, cool and collected but on the field a fire grows inside, and he turns into a defensive MONSTER!
We got to ask a couple questions. My favourite question was why games against Wellington Phoenix are always so tight. Uskok responded with Phoenix have developed quite a bit in the last few years making them a tricky team to compete against.
We then visited the CEO’s box, sat on the couch and could see the whole pitch from up there, which was pretty awesome. We ducked into the production room – where all the magic happens- and my sister and I got to shout “GO THE BULLS!” over the loudspeaker. I also went over to a computer that links up to the score on the big screen. Amelia, our tour guide, said the highest count was 110 so I had to one up that and make it 400-0 HEHE.
Before the Match
Now – onto the game. What’s going to happen tonight?
My prediction for the match was to be either a 2-1 Bulls win or 1-1 draw.
I asked some passionate Bulls fans what they thought the score was going to be and some had realistic predictions: 3-1 Bulls Win, 3-0 Bulls Win, 2-0 Bulls Win. One CRAZY prediction was a 100-0 Bulls Win. We interviewed a Wellington Phoenix fan, and it was also unrealistic, 2-1 Bulls Loss
GAME ON!
There was a lot that happened in the match. So, kick off was very tense as the Bulls made a quick break away but it ended up fizzling out. There were a lot of shots by Macarthur in the first half with the first goal being: Matt Jurman nearly scissor kick off the defender back of the net in the sixth minute! The next goal was Dean Bosnjak’s follow up volley after Mitch Duke took a header in the twenty first minute.
The final highlight of the first half, and the talk of the game, Luke Brattan’s outside the box top left corner stunner!
The second half didn’t provide much as spirits in the Wellington side were probably much lower than the first. The Bulls final goal was by super sub-Bernardo after an assist by his brother, Henrique, a good shot deflected, over the keeper’s head, into the back of the net for a 4-0 Bulls win.
| Standout Players | Underdogs |
| Brattan, Jurman | Robinson, Da Silva |
Press Conference
I was so exhilarated for the press conference because I would start it with my question. “Mile, well done and congratulations on that 4-0 win, what a way to end the season I have one question for you. What will you do to prepare for next season as this game is a morale boost and a way to carry on momentum into next season?”
In response, Mile said that tonight’s game was a great way to finish the season. While he was disappointment not to make the finals, Mile knows that consistency has been lacking. He was happy for Damian to have had this game as his final professional game. As well to deliver for the fans. Looking ahead for next season, taking a bit of a breather before we start to vision what the future looks like.
The other members in the press room asked a few questions and then I asked an extra follow up question. “I’ve heard a lot of talk about Mitch duke not deserving a spot do you think he deserves a spot in the Australian National Team?”
“I really do!” Mile was very supportive of the idea that Duke should be given a spot. Mile explained that Mitch has something different to offer the squad and has the experience of a previous world cup, valuable traits for the national team.
Thanks for looking at this report. Thanks also to my junior intern Amarah, my sister.
It was a great pleasure to do this, and I hope to do it again. Kaizen out.
