The grand final victory for the Central Coast Mariners signals the end of a journey, but it is certainly not the end of an era. New challenges await.
The journey began on 5 March 2006, when the Central Coast Mariners lost to Sydney FC in the inaugural grand final of the A-League competition.
I cannot even begin to imagine the pain those Mariners players would have felt; the empty feeling that fills out the stomach after watching a match slip away in front of your eyes, as was the case in the grand final against Brisbane Roar in 2011.
After letting that two goal lead slip away in the final minutes of extra-time, Graham Arnold admitted he drew upon the agony of previous finals losses to motivate his players.
It seemed almost inevitable the Mariners would win the grand final against the Wanderers.
Surely they couldn’t lose a fourth final? Deservedly, on the day, they prevailed.
A sense of completion accompanied the 2-0 victory. Arnold had thrown caution to the wind and focused on the grand final, despite the attraction of the Asian Champions League. He played the youth team against Guizhou Renhe.
Mariners captain John Hutchinson told journalists, “there are some good characters here, some fantastic players and good youngsters and before the game I told them it could be the last time we play together as a team.”
Inadvertently, Hutchinson brought up some of the fresh challenges that face the beach-side club. The game will be the last in a yellow jersey for many players.
The off-season is likely to see an exodus of players, particularly the shining young talents of Matt Ryan, Bernie Ibini and Trent Sainsbury.
It will only be a matter of time before the likes of Mitchell Duke and Michael McGlinchey are lured overseas by the offer of big bucks, prestige and a higher standard of competition.
This has been the story of the A-League since its inception. Sydney FC saw the core of their squad wash away like sand at a beach after their grand final victory in 2010.
The relentless erosion by the tide of overseas football proved too much for players like Karol Kisel and Alex Brosque.
Meanwhile, the club let players like Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton escape from its grasp.
It is the nature of the A-League that teams change vastly in the off-season. Small squads mean coaches have to make difficult decisions of who to keep and who to sign. There is no room for players who aren’t pulling their weight.
The salary cap means coaches are immediately limited in the calibre and quantity of players they can employ. The financial plight of many clubs have similar consequences.
Post-match, Arnold conceded the Mariners are likely to lose several of their young players. A rebuild must be undertaken.
This shouldn’t be the case for a team that has just won a championship, but it is.
Arnie’s contract runs out at the end of the season. Whether he stays on the Central Coast or goes overseas, as the media likes to think, remains to be seen.
Either way, this may have been his last chance to win a grand final.
We may be nearing the end of the Arnold era but it is certainly not the end of the journey for the club.
Nor does the future look dire. Central Coast is a community club with a small budget. The players and staff have overcome financial adversity. At times, it looked like the club wouldn’t be able to pay their wages.
Luckily, shareholder Mike Charlesworth steadied the leaking ship. The experience, according to Patrick Zwaanswijk, brought the players closer together.
They are a tight-knit bunch. The Mariners have never relied on superstars to hold up the rest of the team. They play for each other.
I won’t be surprised if they win another championship next year, with or without a few key players.
Robbie
Roar Pro
Its very interesting you bring that up. I guess it says a lot about the loyalty of Mariners fans. There's no hiding the fact that Sydney is a pressure pot. If Sydney FC dioesn't play well, no one turns up. If they're winning, they'll rake in the crowds. This season was an exception only because of Del Piero.
AZ_RBB
Guest
i know facebook isn't the be all and end all. but i find it interesting that in its 8 years and 4 grand finals Mariners have only 14 000 fans on its facebook page. so the fact they get 10 000 of that 14k to pay money and see them play is pretty good. but it also explains why unlike other teams you don't see a sharp increase in attendance and interest when the team does well. comparatively the likes of SFC and Victory have 60k and 90k respectively. but their crowds are a fraction of that.
West
Roar Pro
Will be an interesting "era" for the Mariners all right. Graham Arnold looking to go to Europe, Matt Ryan and Ibini trialling with Lille and the new financial backer talking about moving out of the central coast to Geelong. The Mariners won't exist as we know them for much longer, if this keeps up.
Innocent Bystander
Guest
Will be interesting to see if there is enough interest to sustain the club in Gosford. Really it is odd we have a team in this town, but nothing in traditional soccer cities(not towns) like Wollongong, Canberra and Geelong. Do not understand the mentality at the FFA. Hope they survive, but they are a small town. They need to be get 10,000 plus a match at home.
Bondy
It will be interesting to see how we go next season,its a phenominal effort from the club. Looking at the squad and bench on sunday there shouldn't be a great concern for next year i'd be highly suprised if we finished worse than third.
nordster
Guest
They need to be able to cut the wage bill to stay on the coast...need to save up to 1m a season according to twg...abolish the wage floor and the club is sustainable.
asdf
Guest
After reading about the Mariner's financial woes, a mass exodus from the club doesn't seem surprising.
nordster
Guest
Builds a dynasty culturally which is great for the Mariners, liking Hutch more and more after last nights twg...some respect for the Premiership title even after the GF win.
Midfielder
Guest
This is where the COE will if all goes to plan kick in... If Ryan, Berine, & Sainsbury go... Dutchie & Sterjovski retire ...add another two or three players who will not be resigned... we could have up to eight new players... a new coach ...
Lancey5times
Guest
I really like that combination. And who knows, after that we may have Zwaanswijk and Hutch (Assistant)
Cameron
Roar Guru
Didn't you hear... Wanderers will win everything nexT season.
nordster
Guest
Moss and Zwaanswijk (assistant) would make a good combo to take over from Arnie. Given the squad is being refreshed with up and comers, may be good timing for the coaches as well. They are both involved so there would be some overlap. Last thing a club like CCM needs is a replacement from outside.
Robbie
Guest
I meant to say that Arnold's contract runs out the end of next season (I believe this is the case).
Deakie
Guest
I have no doubt, given the consistency of the Mariners, that they will be a force again next year regardless of what their playing roster looks like. The Wanderers have resigned the bulk of their squad for next year along with coach Popovic so stability will be the key for them to get to a grand final next season. As a football supporter (Wanderers) I live to see the day that our A League talent can remain in Australia to keep our sport strong and continue to generate the growth that our game is currently achieving. Sadly though, that day may well be a long way off and you cannot criticise younger players for chasing better contracts and the prospect of further development overseas which appears to be the norm.
Mals
Guest
Going back to back is very hard in the A league for a small club. The Mariners could easily lose 5 or 6 core players by the time the next season kicks off which would be a real shame but it's the nature of the comp. I hope Arnie sticks around for the rebuild. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Lancey5times
Guest
I have a feeling the GF win may see us lose Sterjovski as well to retirement as well. Nice way to finish a great career if he so chooses. Still has a bit to offer though