Wrexham played out their opening pre-season fixture of 2025 on Friday morning.
After a few years in North America, Wrexham travelled to Australia for their latest training camp.
The Red Dragons have a total of three clashes while away from Wales, the first coming against Melbourne Victory on Friday.
Surprisingly, Ollie Palmer made his Wrexham return in the game, partnering Jack Marriott up front in what was a strong team.
The away team took the lead after 42 minutes on July 11 via defender Tom O’Connor. The eleven was completely changed in the second half, seeing Ryan Hardie and George Evans score to hand the Dragons a comfortable 3-0 win.
Here’s what we learned from Wrexham during their opening match of the summer.
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Ollie Palmer future at Wrexham isn’t decided yet
The biggest talking point going into the game was the fact that Palmer was handed a start.
The 33-year-old was axed by Phil Parkinson in the second half of 2024/25, not featuring in the league after January 28.
With Wrexham already signing another new striker this summer in the form of Ryan Hardie, and Palmer losing his place last term, it seemed obvious he would be on his way out of the club this summer after Paul Mullin.
However, the number nine starting the clash against Melbourne may mean that the Englishman could still have a role with the Red Dragons in 2025/26.
Of course, a lot could change before transfer deadline day on September 1, but there seems to be some hope the club legend will stay.
Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez miss Wrexham vs Melbourne Victory
While fans will have been pleased to see Palmer feature, there were one or two surprise absentees in the striker department.
Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez were signed in January, taking spots from Mullin and Palmer.
They played every League One game from February to the end of the season, but neither player was on the bench against Melbourne.
Parkinson will likely provide an explanation for the forwards missing out post-match.
Ryan Longman continues to impress
The winter transfer window saw much of the focus put on the club signing a new striker.
However, it’s fair to say that Ryan Longman’s addition in the same window was brilliant.
Longman shone for Wrexham in the second half of 2024/25 and was one of their better performers on Friday.
He displaced Ryan Barnett at right-back toward the end of last season and did his chances of keeping his place no harm with his display against Melbourne.
However, Barnett also looked sharp, providing the assist for Ryan Hardie’s first Wrexham goal.