The Phoenix ran out 5-2 winners at Westpac, a seven goal thriller - soon after a 3-3 draw with the Roar - can hopefully reignite some excitement in the Wellington faithful.

But all the time spent on planes, trains and automobiles did nothing to prepare Glory’s defenders for a rout across the ditch.

So here’s the player ratings, and for the most part, they’re not pretty.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX

Keegan Smith - 4

The commentator described playing out from the back with Keegan Smith as frightening.

It’s a tough one. Youth deserve a chance, but he’s 18-years-old, he’s not ready and he’s low on confidence. If he keeps playing the way he is, he’ll cost Phoenix finals football this season.

Daniel Mullen – 7.5

He was so busy early, he had no option but to spring into action.

He may have finally found a good home at Wellington. He looks settled, ambitious and his usually physically domineering self.  

Dylan Fox – 7.5

Strong in the air and positioned himself well to zonally inhibit Andy Keogh from crosses.

He was all over Keogh from the beginning, but he was withdrawn just before halftime with a hamstring injury.

Marco Rossi – 7.5   

Sacrificed his goalkeeper with an awkward early back pass, but lunged at every dangerous cross Perth delivered with some fantastic last-ditch defending.     

Had he not been defensively sound early in the match, it would have been a very different opening 45 minutes.     

Ali Abbas – 8.5

Bags of forward intent and some good early crosses, had a very good game.

Dario Vidosic – 7.5    

Threw himself into the action to notch Wellington’s first – a bundle of a downwards header - but he almost couldn’t miss.

He was given a lot of space and looked dangerous in the second half until his withdrawal.