BEST

Kiwi records are tumbling

Roy Krishna's had a phenomenal season at the Nix but with the star Fijian (now also a naturalised Kiwi - watch those visa spots) off-contract at the end of this season you can see that he's saving the best for last.

Krishna's stunning hat-trick not only won the match, it makes 18 for the season, the all-time highest season tally for a Wellington Phoenix striker by some margin.

His venemous partnership with David Williams has guided Phoenix into the finals and while the Mark Rudans off this world can come and go, if the Nix are to continue rising from the ashes, Krishna must remain.

McGree proving a point

Last season's wunderkind shot to fame around the world at the backend of Newcastle Jets' sensational campaign, eventually resulting in a loan move to the A-League's resident youth factory, Melbourne City.

But the star midfielder has found opportunities harder to come by in a packed Melbourne midfield - which is why his brace tonight was oh so important. If Club Brugge are ever going to want him back, he has to nail down a starting role at City.

A star in the making

While Krishna and to a lesser extent McGree steal the headlines, Max Burgess' stock continues to rise at a rate that will have investors circling.

His poise in midfield is not only attractive but instrumental, he literally controls the ebb and flow of the Nix at times and it's a trait very few, if any, young Aussies in the competition can regularly muster.

It's that time - a lot of time - he spent on the sidelines that's fed the hunger he exerts so effervescently today. 

WORST

'I wouldn't buy a used car off him'

 

While there was sumptuous attacking talent on display, and Shayon Harrison certainly provided his part, the winger's dive may be all he's remembered for at the end of this season.

Horribly timed, disgracefully overt and obviously pointless. The worst dives in football occur when, had the striker stayed on his feet, he would have had a clear chance at goal.

This was one of those and it's better forgotten, but most likely all too memorable.

Defensive frailties

While both sides have impressed at stages and flattered to deceive at others, Wellington's defensive issues are a little more troublesome. For starters, they drop back way too quickly and pensively, which means Filip Kurto has to bail them out all too regularly.

There's a distinct lack of focus at times, whether it's Michael Kopczynski or Libertao Cacace, there are too many in that backline ready to switch off or unable to contest physically when it matters. 

City - and I've barely mentioned them tonight despite their decent performance and Brattan's brilliance - have a more straightforward issue. Play the same back four, in the same positions, for more than a game at a time. 

That enough?

Singh's physicality...or lack thereof

While Sarpreet Singh has lit up Kiwi loungerooms this season and undoubtedly will continue to do so for years to come, perhaps Rudan's replacement can look at how he could be better utilised.

He has obvious weaknesses to his game - a distinct lack of physicality in every aspect, which includes pace. So on the break as one of the further forward, while he can certainly bring teammates into the game, he struggles to chase down breaking clearances, long passes or hold a man off to retain possession.

He can actually learn a thing or two off Burgess, just as Burgess can borrow Singh's shooting boots once in a while.