WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS SYDNEY FC

Unlike the Wanderers' draw, one that we may not have picked as a star-studded affair at the beginning of the season turned out to be one of the picks of the round.

Still, while their pundits were clearly enjoying themselves, Fox Sports itself perhaps weren't endearing themselves to the raucous fans.

With the Fox bashing out of the way, people were enamoured with Ufuk Talay's new Nix side. Even Corica says they're a top six certainty and there certainly doesn't seem to be much nostalgia left for Mark Rudan.

All fans seemed to be getting in the mood, one way or another. Some were getting hammered before the match, others preparing in their own way.

But for all the missing men in Sydney and the expected similarities between Talay and Corica's tactics, there was one part of the night that was purely Wellington's to enjoy.