Dual signings give Mariners A-League boost
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In-demand rookie Tomas Rogic and veteran defender Patrick Zwaanswijk have given the Central Coast Mariners a boost by committing to the club for a further A-League season.
The off-contract duo played significant roles in the Mariners’ surge to the Premiers;’ Plate, and Thursday’s announcement means they will both remain with the club until the end of the 2013 Asian Champions League group stage.
At 37, Zwaanswijk has proved himself to be one of the most successful imports in the history of the A-League, and seven goals in the most recent season convinced coach Graham Arnold that he had the desire and fitness to go around again.
“Patrick wanted to play another season and we wanted Patrick to remain a Mariner. He has proven in his two seasons in Australia so far that he is one of the best foreign players ever to play in the country,” Arnold said.
“We know and expect Patrick will give us the same level of performance next season as he has in the past two years at the club.”
With Mustafa Amini’s departure to German side Borussia Dortmund, and Arnold’s personal preference of playing with a creative central midfielder, the signing of Rogic is an important one.
Rogic’s eye-catching performances at the tail end of last season were followed by speculation he would link up with Newcastle, Melbourne Victory or possibly make an overseas move.
However, the youngster decided the best place for him to continue his development as a player would be at the Mariners.
“I’m pretty grateful to have the other offers that I received (but) I guess I was leaning towards the Mariners because Arnie is here and they gave me a chance in the first place,” Rogic said.
“I just thought it was the best decision for my football career at this point in time and a decision that will give me the best chance to develop as a player.”
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- A-League, Central Coast Mariners, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Tomas Rogic
May 25th 2012 @ 9:33am
nordster said | May 25th 2012 @ 9:33am | Report comment
All coming together nicely
May 25th 2012 @ 1:58pm
whiskeymac said | May 25th 2012 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
Agreed and more than good to have them secured but its not really a step forward. Managerial stability and player retention is a good foundation but so far its the status quo thats been maintained, not that its a bad thing and something a lot of similar clubs would do well to emulate, but now for the next step… new faces and signings to reinvigorate and develop the first 11. I am assuming that with all the media interest in the HAL focused in West Sydney, Crooks FC and Ange’s MV most of the other clubs will quielty go about adding and improving (Jets and Glory in particular are getting in early), now the CCM know what to build on I am interested to see who they sign (as opposed to re-sign).
May 25th 2012 @ 2:08pm
nordster said | May 25th 2012 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
Just on the media interest and where it goes
One thing really heartening about the coverage of the league …it’s starting to feel a bit more localized as it goes by. Example with this is the first place I read this story was Steven maher in the express advocate. Also new sites coming along to present a very biased (in a good way) local based coverage of the teams. The mfootball site as an example.
I still like sites like roar or 442 but seeing the “story” more fleshed out at the club level is healthy.
May 25th 2012 @ 2:02pm
Midfielder said | May 25th 2012 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
Just need a striker and DM….
May 25th 2012 @ 2:06pm
the flattery said | May 25th 2012 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
and a decent coach…
May 25th 2012 @ 2:25pm
whiskeymac said | May 25th 2012 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
am assuming GA will look overseas for these – local stocks must be a bit tight already.
May 25th 2012 @ 2:32pm
the flattery said | May 25th 2012 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
have the russians surfaced yet?
May 25th 2012 @ 3:25pm
Midfielder said | May 25th 2012 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
TF
Have not got past the voka bar yet …
May 25th 2012 @ 3:47pm
the flattery said | May 25th 2012 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
singo must have had to coff up for rogic then…
May 25th 2012 @ 3:26pm
Midfielder said | May 25th 2012 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
Just on players would love Bresh or Vinney to come home… for the midfield role…
May 25th 2012 @ 3:48pm
the flattery said | May 25th 2012 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
after spending the najority of their careers in italy i don’t think either of those two would go within a bulls roar of a hovel like gosford.
May 25th 2012 @ 4:20pm
Midfielder said | May 25th 2012 @ 4:20pm | Report comment
The water way paradise just north of Sydney … they would give their left kidney to live here…
Have a look …. best bits at 1:40 they all stand around and do nothing when Gosford mentioned .. then gottta listen at the 2:00 to about 2:06 to here about Newcastle…
Enjoy ..
May 26th 2012 @ 1:14pm
Realfootball said | May 26th 2012 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
Seriously, Mid? You would wish Grella on your team? Slow, ludicrously injury prone and, if his interviews are any guide, a conceited and difficult personality. I could be more forthright on the obvious and considerable limitiations of Mr Grella’s personality and attitude to his home country, but the mods would have to strike my post from the register.
May 26th 2012 @ 12:51pm
zacbrygel said | May 26th 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
What a great boost for Central Coast. With Rogic and Kwasnik still at the club, the Mariniers are a geniune chance
for title success next season.
May 26th 2012 @ 8:03pm
Midfielder said | May 26th 2012 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
We still need striker & DM of high quality …
May 26th 2012 @ 1:18pm
Realfootball said | May 26th 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
The Mariners will certainly be thereabouts again next season. I just hope they can lift their crowds.
Unfortunately, my suspicion is that the Mariners will be the club in the financial gun next season. Their financial viability is a huge questionmark. Would FFA bail them out if it came to that – which it may?
May 26th 2012 @ 2:51pm
Peter Wilson said | May 26th 2012 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
The Mariners aren’t in financial trouble. Singo has cleared their debts and backed them for this season as they start rebuilding by re-signing their players and looking for more.
They are still selling shares in the club to raise more capital and following the recent Asian Champs League campaign are talking to Chinese and Japanese investors as well as the Russians.
All A-League clubs are now set financially for this season and with the new TV deal and with more increased ratings, revenues and attendances the financial problems will hopefully start to disappear.
The Mariners have also been very consistent because going into season eight they have only ever had 2 managers. Arnold intends to stay there a bit longer and finally get that elusive golden toilet seat for the club.
May 26th 2012 @ 8:01pm
Midfielder said | May 26th 2012 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
Peter
Tell me more about the Japanese & Chinese investors…
May 27th 2012 @ 9:11pm
Realfootball said | May 27th 2012 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Are you sure that Singleton has cleared their debts? This sounds unlikely and I have read nothing in reportage to indicate that he has done anything more than donate funds to keep the club solvent – which is a long way from clearing the club’s considerable debts.
May 27th 2012 @ 8:50am
Bondy said | May 27th 2012 @ 8:50am | Report comment
Thats fantastic news for the club and supporters, I thought we may loose Rogic to Melbourne ,thats a phenominal effort from Zwaanswijk seven goals from primaralily a centre half this season and nine last year, Theo Wallcott score nine goals for Arsenal this year and last , so . G’day Boys .
May 27th 2012 @ 9:46am
Rooball96 said | May 27th 2012 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Zwaanswijk, although a top class defender, is on his last legs, he is 37 !!! that is bloody old, and rogic, although was’t the best person to come up through the NIKE the chance, only won because Aaron Costanzo broke his ankle in the final three, Rogic still has class, so good work on resigning the lads arnie! Roar will meat u in the final, if u can even make it this year.
May 27th 2012 @ 11:24am
Midfielder said | May 27th 2012 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Me thinks he will be more than a player if these comments are anything to go by … I think our new defensive coach maybe…
“”"” Zwaanswijk said he and his family are settled on the Central Coast and that at 37, he was physically and mentally ready for another season as a professional footballer.
“I am 37 but my body feels like I am 38 so one more year won’t do any harm,” Zwaanswijk joked. “No, my body feels good, and mentally I am really fresh and capable of playing another season at this level.”
“It only took two meetings between myself and the Club to reach an agreement for next season, which shows you the kind of person I am and the way the Club is.”
“As soon as I told my wife and kids they were jumping in the air.”
“I see myself as not only as a player but as someone who could contribute to the Mariners in other ways in the future as well. I love the lifestyle, the sponsors and the fans and there are further things we can look to do together when I am finished as a player,” Zwaanswijk concluded.”"”
May 27th 2012 @ 2:49pm
Rooball96 said | May 27th 2012 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
i cant see him playing on beyond next season though … he is arguablly the most valuable defender in the Aleague… and most respected players to grace the land!
May 27th 2012 @ 12:11pm
Midfielder said | May 27th 2012 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Mariner first from truthful Jones … links pictures of the Russian investors and the new team song..
Who they are… http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxIwncm12L2Cms5cjecJ3H88RpzdmpdFF_DyOk6g15pn6TtmJSxQ
New team song …
May 28th 2012 @ 12:48pm
Realfootball said | May 28th 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Which one is Abramovich?
May 28th 2012 @ 6:54am
King of the Gorgonites said | May 28th 2012 @ 6:54am | Report comment
Anyone see Gordon Ramsay get flattened in soccer aid? It looks bad. He didn’t seem to be moving his feet. Anyone got an update?
May 28th 2012 @ 8:09am
Midfielder said | May 28th 2012 @ 8:09am | Report comment
Maybe he made Teddy Sheringham a crook meal…. or maybe he told off one of Teddy mates in the kitchen… agree a bad tackle…seems like he was taken off on a stretcher..
BTW Ramsay showed some decent ball control…
May 28th 2012 @ 8:19am
King of the Gorgonites said | May 28th 2012 @ 8:19am | Report comment
I don’t know if that is the usual medical treatment in football, but it was very extensive. He even had oxygen as he went off, that’s what lead me to believe it could be serious as in he can’t move his legs. Dog act from teddy. Agree that Ramsay did look good. Even will ferrel looked very good.
May 28th 2012 @ 8:34am
Midfielder said | May 28th 2012 @ 8:34am | Report comment
Very poor in a charity match FFS .. what was Teddy thinking my guess if a real match a ten week suspension..
May 28th 2012 @ 8:57am
Bondy said | May 28th 2012 @ 8:57am | Report comment
He’s not a Chef he’s a glorified Cook .
May 28th 2012 @ 4:15pm
The Cattery said | May 28th 2012 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Poor bugger, never thought I’d find myself feeling sorry for him, at that age, that’s gonna rattle your bones a bit. But yeah, what’s Sheringham trying to prove?
May 28th 2012 @ 4:44pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | May 28th 2012 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Ramsay was asked to trial with Rangers back in 1984, which indicates he can play a bit, but he seriously injured his knee, smashing the cartilage during training and that was the end of his football career.
Robbie Williams, who also played for the England team in this charity match, played in the same youth team at Leeds United as Harry Kewell. According to Harry, Robbie was a very handy player but, unfortunately, even though Robbie is 6’1″ (185 cm), he was considered too small to make it as a pro-GK.
Agree that Teddy’s tackle is not in the spirit of a Charity Match. In fact, it almost seemed like Teddy intended to dig his knee into Ramsay’s hip? Given both their reputations with the ladies, I wonder if there’s any personal history between the two?