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He was all over Keogh from the beginning, but he was withdrawn just before halftime with a hamstring injury.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

Goran Paracki – 7.5

Was forced very deep by Perth’s possession, but when Glory turned over the ball – as they often do - he busted a lung to get forward and that led to his brilliant finish for Phoenix’s second.

Also had a good hack every now and then to keep Glory on their toes.       

Matthew Ridenton – 7      

Had a lot of responsibility with the absence of Mark McGlinchey, and although he and Paracki were generally outclassed in midfield, he was fairly solid defensively.

He’s still got tunnel vision going forward, a product of his usual position out wide. Against better defences, he'll be less effective.        

Roy Krishna – 8.5  

   

Some poor service early from the stand-in skipper, but he quickly adjusted his aim and soon provided Vidosic with the equaliser.

After that he was the best player on the pitch – he’s the only powerful, quick, dynamic Wellington player, and he’s going to boss a lot of sides around this season.      

Guilherme Finkler - 7

Pushed out wide on occasions and was surprisingly quiet in the first half, but scored a solid goal in the second that reinvigorated his match. From there on it was vintage Finkler.        

Andrija Kaluderovic – 7.5

Untidy early in possession and had some great chances to give Phoenix the lead, that he rubbish at converting.

Turned it around in the second - played a big part in Finkler’s go-ahead goal and then coolly converted Phoenix’s fourth from the spot, before grabbing a fifth with a clinical header.

Still not convinced he’s good enough to lead Phoenix to finals football.

Alex Rufer - 6

Replaced Fox on the 44th minute, and straight into the action, copped a yellow card a minute later.

Like Ridenton, he doesn’t look up and pick out the best option, but he doesn’t give away too much either.

Adam Parkhouse - 8

Super sub, as if Phoenix needed it. A ratings point for every minute he was on the pitch.

He arrived late but was instantly effective, grabbing a well-earned assist with a beautiful cross for Kaluderovic, leaving the striker no option but to score.

Hamish Watson - NA

Late sub, not on long enough to get a rating.

PERTH GLORY

Liam Reddy - 4

He didn’t look interested. Poor distribution all match, and couldn’t save anything that wasn’t from range.

Scott Neville - 5

The attackers didn’t have to work for goals in this one, they just waited for the defence to throw them opportunities.

Neville obliged by chucking in in a horrible who-to, lofting a ball cross-goal straight to Krishna for Wellington’s second.

Ended up conceding a handball penalty that he could do nothing about, but that doesn’t excuse him from a rubbish rating.

Xavi Torres  - 4

Perth’s defenders are better strikers than they are centre-backs. That pretty much sums it all up.

Scored a thumping effort – a brilliant top corner strike - from an indirect free kick. But he doesn’t know what he’s doing defensively. He’s a liability.

Shane Lowry - 6        

Kenny Lowe’s a character, and a good attacking coach, but it’s unforgivable that Lowry – a former Championship stalwart – looks a shadow defensively of his former self in the A-League.

He still works hard, and he knows how to take up good positions at both ends - ripping header to score Perth’s second.

But he hasn’t formed a confident combination with Grant, Andreu and co, which has to go down to the coach.

Alex Grant - 4

He had a big task controlling Roy Krishna, and had a predictably mixed bag of results. Then in the second half he was useless, caught out of position, looked lost defensively. Shambolic.

Brandon Wilson         - 6             

He made mistakes, cost Perth at times, but he’s 20 years old and he wasn’t scared to take on people or shoot from range, so he deserves some credit.

Picked up a few early fouls, but ran himself ragged. Almost scored a screamer in the second half.

Andreu Mayoral - 4  

Poor decision making. He can carry the ball forward with confidence, but you never want to see a central midfielder outmuscled that easily; he was a pushover.

Chris Harold - 5

Heavily involved, but if he was a better player, Perth’s entire gameplan would be more effective.

Mitch Nichols - 6

Nifty first touches playing in tight areas but ran out of legs. Like Castro another slow, ambling midfielder with a good passing range – no speed or ability to counter effectively. 

Diego Castro – 7     

In too minds about his performances this season. He’s slowed down, which hampers Perth on the break, but he thrives in tight areas and is the finest provider of knock-ons in the league. When Perth constantly look sluggish with the ball, he's not doing his job properly.      

Andy Keogh - 5

Two goals ruled out for offside, but despite his work rate he was slow and indecisive with the ball. He constantly drops deep, then looks uncertain in posession. Perth may not offer him support, but he has to take some of the blame. 

Mitch Mallia - 5

Came on on the 62nd minute, was a bit sloppy on the ball, and failed to get up to speed. Symptomatic of Perth’s lack of depth.

Jake Brimmer - 6

Not much to write home about – 70th minute sub, very quiet.

Jacob Poscoliero - NA

Another late inclusion, this time remarkably negative – instantly caught out for Wellington’s fifth.