Football: Five pivotal Nix moments

Ernie Merrick extended his contract three years. Photo / Getty Images

As the Phoenix get set to host Melbourne City in their A-League elimination final tonight, Daniel Richardson looks back on five moments that shaped their campaign.

1. Beating West Ham 2-1

It might have been 'only' an exhibition match but the Wellington Phoenix enjoyed an encouraging start to their season when they topped English Premier League outfit West Ham 2-1 at Eden Park in July.

New recruit Alex Rodriguez produced his brightest moment in a Phoenix shirt with a superb goal and skipper Andrew Durante connected with a header for the second. The ambitious Football United Tour really needed a result like this to succeed and the win showed that Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick had his team on the right path.

2. Signing Michael McGlinchey

The contract dispute was lengthy but the Phoenix finally got their man in September after the former Central Coast Mariners midfielder signed with Wellington.

A player of McGlinchey's pedigree was always going to add sparkle to the Phoenix midfield and he contributed five goals in 24 games during the regular season. He was their go-to man in the middle during the early stages of the season and helped create numerous opportunities for Nathan Burns.

3. Nathan Burns nets a hat-trick

It took 194 A-League matches before a Phoenix player scored a hat-trick but Burns completed the feat in a 5-1 romp over Melbourne City at Westpac Stadium in November.

It may seem an arbitrary statistic but it was another important footnote in the club's brief history. Burns has proven one of the Phoenix's best signings and has rejuvenated his career in the capital after a nomadic time abroad. That win over City may also provide inspiration for today's playoff encounter.

4. The 3-2 win in Melbourne over the Victory

Beating the Victory across the Tasman always seemed a bridge too far for the Phoenix. The Victory's attacking pace was invariably too much for Wellington.

But on March 1, in round 19, the Phoenix twice fought back from a goal down to beat the Victory 3-2 in one of the club's most memorable wins. The match was indicative of what Merrick had instilled in the Phoenix - a never-say-die attitude and the constant pursuit of goals. Burns got the winner in the 77th minute, after earlier goals from Michael Boxall and Roly Bonevacia.

5. Re-signing coaches Ernie Merrick and Chris Greenacre

In March, the Phoenix committed to Merrick and his assistant Greenacre to coach the team for another three seasons.

By the time Merrick's contract is up at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, Greenacre may be in a position to take over. Keeping the pair on for another term showed the club have a clear vision and believe in Merrick's work.

The coaches also had no concerns around signing on despite the fact the Phoenix's A-League licence expires at the end of next season. That's a vote of confidence from Merrick and Greenacre that the club will secure a renewal.