The speedster returned to the Nix for his second spell after enjoying success with Victory and upon his departure he maintained his effort to give fans his time.

In the final weeks of the 2015/16 regular season, Victory fans had banners farewelling Barbarouses and teammate Gui Finkler who joined him in Wellington from Melbourne.

Wellington thumped Victory 3-0 on Sunday, recording their second ever away win against a side they struggle against on the road. Barbarouses was also involved in their 6-1 thrashing to the Big V at Etihad Stadium in Round 4.

The home supporters let their feelings known about the lacklustre performance but ironically a section of the crowd sang "Kosta Kosta" after the game.

“It was strange, I was saying to one of the Victory staff members before the game, at Etihad the crowd is further away,” Barbarouses told FourFourTwo post-mach. “I’ve had some great memories there with the semi-final (3-0 over Melbourne City) win and all the rest.

“Everyone is all close (at AAMI), it was a weird feeling but I have to take my hat off to the Victory fans as well, I heard them doing my chant after the game so that was a nice little touch.

“It just goes to show if you give 100 per cent when you’re here and have time for the fans, they respect that and that’s great.”

He also interacted with the Victory fans post-match.

 


 

He added : “I had people Tweeting me asking to sign their Wellington Phoenix tops from Melbourne as well. Just amazing, I don’t think you get that sort of support from too many other clubs.”

Barbarouses was greeted by a number of Victory coaches, players and staff members in the tunnels during his interview with FourFourTwo and it was handshakes and hugs all round for the Kiwi.

He could have been on the scoresheet with two golden opportunities towards the end after Alan Baro was red carded for his last-man tackle on the winger as well as a one-on-one with Lawrence Thomas which was snuffed out.

The Nix could sneak into the finals with two games remaining, they are currently seventh and are four points behind sixth-placed Perth Glory.

Wellington lock horns with table-topping Sydney FC at home next week. Barbarouses said the hunger was evident against Victory and felt the Nix’s relevance should not come under question after the ongoing prospect of expansion and second division.

“I think only certain people say that sort of stuff about our relevance in the league and we give so much to the league,” he said.

“We’re a very stable club and these discussions have gone on in the past. We go toe-to-toe with everyone on our day. Our crowds are decent with relevance to our population as well. I don’t think there’s any room for that discussion.”

Barbarouses battles with Emile Bearune in All White's 2-0 win over New Caledonia in November last year

Barbarouses was also determined to make it back into the All Whites squad after missing out on Anthony Hudson’s squad for the reverse wins against Fiji.

He admitted it was difficult to take but is using it as a motivating factor.

“I’ve been quite good all year but the last two months I’ve been performing really well and I need to hope for the best,” Barbarouses said.

“We had a discussion with Anthony and with all respect to him he wanted to keep it between us so I have to respect that. I’ve done some things I need to work on. My form needs to be good so long as the season goes on and I’m confident I’ll be there in the end.”