Wellington dominated for long periods of the game but Adelaide scored the game's only goal on 70 minutes when Travis Dodd finished clinically.

"It was a real open game to be honest," Coolen told Fox Sports after the game.

"It was not a fantastic football game, the pitch was not perfect because of the weather. But both teams tried to play football and created a couple of chances.

"I was waiting for one of the teams to score a goal and we scored at the right moment. We had a couple of chances after that, but we deserved the win.

"It was an open game and there was a couple of chances for the opponents as well."

Coolen brought on local hero Mathew Leckie on 62 minutes for Andy Slory and he was influential before the Reds went ahead.

"After 50 minutes in the game we had some fresh wingers on the bench and the game needed definitely something new," Coolen said.

"That's why we used Mathew Leckie. We used the corners well and something happened when he came in and that's the game."

Reds match-winner and skipper Travis Dodd insisted the saga involving Paul Reid walking out on the club this week didn't affect the players.

"No, we have all spoken to Reidy several times and we know where he's at mentally," Dodd said. "We get on with it."

Adelaide striker Sergio van Dijk, who provided the assist for Dodd's winner, was looking forward to a home final against either Gold Coast United or Melbourne Victory.

"That's really important especially with this crowd and I hope they are here next week to support us," van Dijk said.