A-League: season reviews and what’s next for Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix?

With their defeat to Melbourne Victory in the A-League Finals Series semi-final on Saturday night, Auckland FC brought an end to a contrasting A-League Men's season for New Zealand's clubs.

The Black Knights became the country's first ever Premiers in their debut campaign, but the Wellington Phoenix finished the campaign 11th and bottom of the form table - a big drop-off from last year's highs.

So how does the RNZ scorecard read for Aotearoa's two professional football sides? And perhaps more importantly, what's next as they plan for 2025-26?

Auckland FC

A-League Men's final position: 1st (Premier's Plate winners)

Finals Series: Semi-finals (lost 2-1 to Melbourne Victory over two legs)

Player of the Season: Louis Verstraete

It's probably a testament to how well the Belgian started and finished the season that a mid-season dip still hasn't lost him this accolade in our eyes.

Young Player of the Season: Alex Paulsen

What else can you say about this young man. It's time for him to move on from the A-League but he's been the outstanding stopper on trans-Tasman shores for the past two seasons and, at just 22, has plenty left to learn.

Signing of the Season: Hiroki Sakai

Technically, they were all new signings, so a tough one to actually answer but Sakai's signature was so important. He has led by example with stellar displays this season and his arrival added major credibility to the upstart club.

Revelation of the Season: Francis de Vries

The Cantabrian went from a serious knee injury and amateur football in New Zealand's National League to being the division's outstanding left-back.

Moment of the Season: Auckland FC 6-1 Wellington Phoenix

So many to choose from but a humbling win over their new rivals was a flag in the sand moment. Auckland are here and they are here to stay.

Overall grade: A

A magnificent campaign which deserves immense accolades and superlatives. But falling just short of a Grand Final costs them top marks of an A+.

What's next?

Steve Corica's focus has already shifted to next season. Several departures are confirmed. Star loanee 'keeper Alex Paulsen returns to Bournemouth, with a mooted new temporary home at Scottish side Hibernian potentially in the works. Fellow loanee Max Mata is also set to leave.

Neyder Moreno won't return, having confirmed he's not signing a new deal. RNZ understands Scott Galloway is also out; he hasn't featured since January and is likely heading to another A-League club. Luis Toomey, though off-contract, is expected to stay.

Dan Hall and Louis Verstraete are both under contract but could easily attract overseas interest. This will be a concern, given their age and ambitions to eventually play at a higher level. Auckland will want to keep them but strong offers will be hard to turn down..

Moreno's exit frees up a visa spot, and while many Kiwi names will be linked, RNZ understands Kosta Barbarouses was never considered. Western Sydney is his apparent destination. Internally, the Black Knights are open to giving Michael Woud the chance to replace Paulsen, rather than signing a new first-choice keeper.

Wellington Phoenix

A-League Men's final position: 11th (Premier's Plate winners)

Player of the Season: Kosta Barbarouses

Once again, it's probably the diminutive frontman who has stood head and shoulders above the rest. Which is why his decision to leave the club is potentially such a big blow. Ten goals in the league and a crucial Australia Cup play-off winner demonstrated his importance to the team.

Young Player of the Season: Luke Brooke-Smith

At just 16 years of age the teenage attacker has shown a level of performance often surpassing his more experienced teammate and becoming the club's youngest ever goal scorer in February. He's signed on until 2027, so hopefully there's plenty more to come.

Signing of the Season: Corban Piper

For all the new imports and the return of Marco Rojas, it was an under-the-radar recruit from Birkenhead United that has performed the best since a September arrival. A powerful and versatile option with a goal in him, the 22-year-old looks like the next Tim Payne in waiting.

Revelation of the Season: Alby Kelly-Heald

The previous two entries aside, the young goalkeeper also looks like he has the attributes to one day be the club's number one.

He's not the finished article but certainly a prospect worth keeping with once he's fully recovered from a shoulder injury which cut his season short in March.

Moment of the Season: Kosta Barbarouses' halfway humdinger

Not much to choose from here but Kosta's strike from inside the centre-circle against the Jets in December was a special moment from a special player who will be sorely missed next term.

Overall grade: D

The Phoenix were always going to struggle to match last season's campaign, especially when so many of their star players were picked off in a second off-season ransack in succession. Injury issues and unsuccessful recruitment did not help so this was always going to be a tough campaign. But they've blooded some youngsters and will have a clear indication of what they need to recover next season.

What's next?

Barbarouses is gone and Scott Wootton and Sam Sutton will join him - the defensive pair off to Perth Glory. Mid-season recruit Chico Geraldes' loan deal has expired and a knee injury appears to have dampened a desire to re-sign the mercurial Portuguese playmaker. Stefan Colakovski, also struck by injury, and third-choice goalkeeper Dublin Boon are also off contract.

Unlike the past two seasons a mass raid on the team is unlikely, and that stability is something the Phoenix desperately need. They will have two visa slots available and question marks will rightly linger over whether goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi is the best use of another one. Getting that recruitment right is crucial if the 'Nix are to climb back up the table in 2025-26.