Wellington trio Roly Bonevacia, Ryan Lowry and Tom Doyle were banished from the first-team after breaching team protocol.

Phoenix responded by winning 2-1 away to finals contenders Brisbane Roar in a shock result which boosted their stalling finals aspirations.

A-League journeyman Smeltz has played in many finals campaigns and believed the events could kickstart their run home.

“Sometimes there can be turning points in the season,” Smeltz said.

“It can look all doom and gloom at one point and then all of a sudden you can go on a run and make the finals. I’ve done it before. Last week is a good starting point.

“There was a few issues off the pitch. There were a few meetings during the week, some serious talks between players and coaching staff.

“We all looked ourselves in the mirror. We went away and had a great result, which not many people expected.

“You could look at that and say we’ve turned the corner a little bit, but it’s up to now to make sure we show that consistency.”

The trio have been welcomed back into the selection fold, with Smeltz insisting there was no animosity towards them.

“Yeah no problem at all,” he said. “Obviously what’s gone on has gone on, we don’t dwell on it, we’ve got six weeks, we can’t focus on it.

“I think we’re in a better place now than we were two weeks ago.”

Smeltz added: “I think there’s a line drawn in the sand with the playing group and coaching staff.

“It had to be done. It’s about making sure that culture going forward is right. We’ve got it right now. It’s done and dusted now.”

Wellington hosts Perth Glory in Auckland on Saturday.