Although the game had no greater meaning for Perth other than maintaining form going into finals, the result means that the Nix will face Melbourne Victory instead of Adelaide United next week.

The first half’s two goals came in similar fashion as they targeted the left-hand side where David Williams was deputising as wing-back, with Diego Castro setting up both of Andy Keogh’s headers.

Glory continued the massacre in the second-half as Castro intelligently moved into free space to receive a pass from Franjic and power the ball past the Phoenix keeper from inside the box. Chris Ikonomidis added his name to the scoreline before Brendon Santalab found a goal in what might be his final game of his career.

Best

El Maestro weaves his magic

Diego Castro was at his absolute best tonight, fitting that this game confirmed him as the Alex Tobin Medal winner as he’s been stupendous all year round.

His header that hit the crossbar for the first goal was not some of the talents we usually associate with the Spaniard, but the technique was nothing short of majestic. Even Australian sokkah’s resident statistician, Andy Howe, couldn’t help but compliment the header.

The second goal was more of the same as El Maestro’s abilities on the ball in close quarters was under full display as he held the ball before passing it to Ikonomidis that chipped it for Keogh’s header.

Although Keogh took the two goals and his headers had some great finishing, it was put on a plate from the best player of the season in Diego Castro.

Castro was able to cap his performance with a goal of his own which emphasised what an important cog he is in the Perth Glory machine. He is both creator and finisher.

The whole Perth Glory squad

Twenty-seven games, only three lost and Premiership winners with undoubtedly the best team in the country. How Tony Popovic has transformed this side is nothing short of amazing.

Almost every player has clearly improved under his stewardship. Jason Davidson has become on of A-League’s best left-backs, Castro the best player in the league, Ikonimidis the country’s most exciting young talent.

This game was the best example of it all, as they thoroughly outplayed the Phoenix tonight, and highlighted exactly why this team won the Premiership. Four goals of the highest quality and a resolute defence that meant that the closest Wellington got to a goal was when Reddy almost slipped it in himself.

Though, Popovic, won’t be pleased with just this, he’ll be expecting the championship at the end of the rainbow too.

Ben Waine’s youthful exuberance

Phoenix manager Mark Rudan has given plenty of youngsters an opportunity to make their name on the A-League stage with Liberato Cacace, Sarpreet Singh and Max Burgess all taking their chance with both hands.

Next on the list was New Zealand’s own, striker Ben Waine. Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, he was the only encouraging sign from the hopeless Wellington team tonight.

Hopefully we get to see more of the young lad next season, where he might be leading the line more often for his local side.

Worst

Wellington Phoenix’s performance

This was just a really bad performance from this season’s uplifting story.

Sure, Rudan opted to play some of his fringe players and giving the likes of Filip Kurto and Roy Krishna a rest. Even then though, this display did nothing to convince the outgoing manager that he should look to replace anyone else in the squad.

This team played much like the Central Coast Mariners did when they were on the other end, during the 8-2 shellacking. Although the players might be different, it seems like there are deeper issues in the squad tactically, which might be because of Louis Fenton’s season-ending injury.

It is also a worrying trend for Phoenix fans going into the finals as they’ve lost three of their previous five matches in the league. Perhaps the announcement of their head coach leaving has demotivated the players at the worst possible time.

Mark Rudan’s announcement to leave early

As every week goes by, it looks like the decision for Rudan to announce his departure from Phoenix before the season has ended looks more disastrous as every week passes.

The players look lost and a lot of it is surely due to them losing faith in a manager that has jumped ships just when things were starting to look good for the perennial bottom of the table dwellers.

As final approaches, if Wellington fall at the first hurdle, now against Victory, there might be serious questions being asked on Rudan’s actual pedigree as a coach.

With Rudan reportedly moving to Western United next season, might the new team arriving even regret hiring the in-demand manager if his team’s form has fell off a cliff like this?

David Williams as a wing-back

This is through no fault of his own, but Williams is a striker, not a wing-back. He’s performed excellently when leading the line, instead he’s being caught out repeatedly in defence with Fenton injured.

Ikonomidis, Davidson and Castro all had plenty of joy on William’s end as they constantly pressured Williams when going forward and the out-of-place defender had no idea what to do.

Although Rudan has been forced to experiment following his important right-back’s injuries that ruled him out for the season, he might be better off playing a defender there than an attack minded player.