It was another wooden spoon for the Mariners in 2019-20 but was one which did see promise, improvement and desire under Alen Stajcic.
The Mariners still have many more players to sign, but Stajcic will be looking to improve the side and hopefully lead them to their first finals appearance since 2014.
Goalkeepers
Mariners have star goalkeeper Mark Birighitti between the sticks again after a fantastic 2019-20 season, taking out the Mariners medal.
A fantastic goalkeeper, after a season of sitting on the bench with a Melbourne City, Birighitti joined the Mariners in hope of rejuvenating his career which he did, being back to his best when he was the Newcastle’s Jets number 1.
He will be looking to continue his good form and will be vital for the Mariners to have any chance of making finals. The Mariners also have Adam Pearce, who has largely played as backup for the past five years.
Pearce has extra motivation to be phone number one after being selected in the Olyroos squad in November and if he gets his chance he might be a surprise inclusion for the Olympics if he performs.
(Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Defence
The Mariners have reliable centre and full back Ziggy Gordon returning to the club. The Scotsman had a solid debut season with the Mariners and was one of their better players throughout last season, showing heart and determination in every challenge he went into.
On the left side of defence the Mariners have Jack Clisby, another reliable player and one of their more experienced players.
Entering his eighth season, since joining the Mariners, Clisby has stepped up and been on of their leaders, and has continued to improve on his attacking side of his game.
Young centre back Kyle Robles remains at the club. He has been a mainstay in the centre back role for the past few years at the club, and had a much more disciplined season.
Will need to continue his improvement for the Mariners to improve their conceding record which has been over 50 for the past few seasons.
Ruin Tongyik joined the club last season and made nine appearances. He will be looking to become a mainstay in the heart of defence after only making a handful of appearances at other A-League clubs.
While Lewis Miller broke into the starting eleven last year making 20 appearances and was a good player to watch for the Mariners, showing continued improvement which was rewarded by being moved from a scholarship contract to a senior contract.
Mariners have also promoted from their academy Matt Hatch and Dan Hall. Both highly regarded in the Mariners academy, with Hatch being a exciting full back and Hall being the academy’s Capetian last season, both had fine seasons in the NPL for the Academy side and have been rewarded with spots in the senior side.
The Mariners defence will need to continue to improve and aim to not concede 50 goals again. Will be interesting to see whether Stajic plays a four man defence or five, as he did both throughout last season, and as to whether he plays natural defenders in defence, unlike last year where he at times used the highly talented likes of Tommy Oar and Kim Eun Sun in defence.
Still and young defensive core and will be good to see their improvement in this campaign.
Midfield
Oliver Bozanic rejoins the club after a stint in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian. Bozanic is a class player and is a big pick up for the Mariners in their quest to end their finals drought.
Bozanic will likely next deployed as a deeper midfielder behind exciting attacking midfielder Danny De Silva. The 23 year old attacking midfielder will be looking to have a breakout campaign and get back to Europe where once AS Roma we’re looking to pick him up if it had not been for a transfer fee mishandled.
De Silva is a creative player and will be looking to add more goals to his game. Will need to score eight or more in order for the Mariners to have any chance of making finals.
Gianni Stensness will be looking to continue his solid 19-20 season form where he won the Mariners Newcomer of the year award. A good midfielder and ball user, and will also be one of the key players for the Mariners. Small youngster Josh Nisbet will also provide competition for Midfield places, with the hardworking midfielder wanting to continue his development in senior football.
While Daniel Bowman has joined the Mariners after stints with several Dutch youth sides. Bouman has an attacking side to him, scoring 14 goals and setting up five more for Groningen’s under 21 side, and will be looking to add that to the Mariners midfield.
Mariners fans. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Forwards
The Mariners have legend, the Wizard of Woy Woy, the great Matt Simon remaining at the club for one season, which may likely be his last.
Still capable of scoring goals, what would be a better send off season then leading the Mariners to breaking their finals drought.
Alou Kuol will be one to look out for this season, with an impeccable scoring record at NPL level. He made his A-League debut in the latter half of the season and was an excitement for fans and was well remembered for his interview with Fox Sports.
He will be hoping for a breakout season. The Mariners also have Dylan Ruiz-Diaz, who had a breakout game against the Victory scoring two winning goals.
An exciting attacker and one with big ambitions already statin in an interview with A-League Wrap Up that he hopes Arnie is watching, hoping he ambitiously makes the Olyroos and future national sides.
Whether true or untrue, it has been rumoured that he has left the club and is looking for other suitors to pick him up, and was not included on the most recent squad lists for arrivals on the A-Leagues website (however was not included either on their departed players).
For Mariners fans sakes I hope this exciting youngster remains at the club.
Verdict
The Mariners squad is still relatively not complete just yet and will still be looking to sign a few more players. They have several players who have been playing in pre season games on trial from both the NPL and from the Mariners Academy.
As much as I would love to see this club make finals especially for their fans, at this stage, I don’t quite think this squad will be capable of doing this, especially with a reliance on so many young players and academy promoted players.
There is a question so far of where the goals will come from especially with Simon near the backend of his career.
Mariners will need to aim for at least just below the top 6, to show their fans and the league that they are finally improving. Whilst only pre season they have showed some promising results so far with wins over A-League opposition Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Will be hoping to not be in the bottom four so they don’t have to go through FFA Cup play off rounds.
NoMates
Guest
I think between them and Roar plus the Jets will be fighting for the spoon this season.
Tigertown
Guest
The Central Coast Council has traditionally leaned more towards the NRL for a long time, as they actively PAY rugby league to hold their games in Gosford. It’s a different story for the Mariners, who rent the stadium. There is, however, good news... The council is now in administration for alleged mismanagement of funds. In due time, many members will be investigated for corruption. They had their chance to support the Mariners & they blew it.
EJ
Roar Pro
That’s a shame to hear about the limited appetite or celebration from locals when you are on the central coast, is the areas only team (to my knowledge) and would be great to see the community get more behind them, maybe if they get a new investor as been rumoured they might become more successful bring fans old and new ones back and make the Central coast the team everyone is talking about in the region
Johan
Guest
It is well accepted that the main reason for the creation of the mariners in gosford was that there was a vacant stadium and no major sporting codes for the mariners to compete with on the central coast. The stadium was built for the NRL, which is popular there, but the NRL pulled out. There was always very limited appetite for the mariners and even when they won the a league there was no real sense of celebration in Wyong, Terrigal, Woy Woy or even Gosford itself. Whenever I am in the central coast hardly anyone seems to be concerned about them and many haven’t been aware of the mariners existence when I have mentioned them. They should not be abolished but it is highly likely that they will be relegated almost immediately once a second division is brought in. Also I doubt a second division is actually economically viable but that’s another issue.
EJ
Roar Pro
Agree haven’t really had many great imports since the likes of Patrick Zwaanswijk and Nick Montgomery, they’ve had a few who have started well then dropped off pretty quickly, is a great club with history and has a excellent connection with fans, seeing some of the club interaction with fans especially after wins is some of the best scenes I’ve seen from a fan and community aspect of football. At same time have heard their chairman has put them up for sale and is looking for a new investor, maybe this new investor can inject some money into the club and bring in some top talent
EJ
Roar Pro
Agree mate, don’t quite think the squads been invested enough to make it, Mariners fans can dream though, while always good to have high goals and ambitions, they need to realistically make sure they don’t fall in the FFA cup qualifying play off spots in 9th to 12th, which is what could be the relegation spots hopefully in a few years
EJ
Roar Pro
Thanks mate appreciate it, everyone knows what he’s capable of, and as a fan of soccer I’d love to see him unleash his full potential, get back to Europe and make the Australian squad, keep wondering who the next bunch of midfielders are to lead the Socceroos, maybe if he gets on form he could be one of em
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
As much as I want them too, they will definitely not make the finals however I do think it will be an improved season from the Mariners. an 8th-10th finish I reckon.
Newie
Guest
You're completely right about the Mariners being relegated. When the A2-League does exist, Mariners might fare much better as an entity, at the top end of that league, competing with Sth Melbourne and others. Kind of where they belong for now.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
club has great history, unfortunately that's all they have. If PAL was introduced, they would've been in league 2 a long time ago and i don't think they would've got promoted back up. What is the identity of the mariners that is the question? they play dross football, average imports and where are the talented kids? The only saving grace is they might have some competition for the spoon with newcastle this upcoming season. Hate to be so harsh as there history is great, but you can't live off your history. I've seen no improvements the last few years from them.
Tigertown
Guest
A nice article. Daniel De Silva might be one of the keys to the Mariners success. If he pairs well with Oliver Bozanic in the midfield, then De Silva will be unstoppable. He oozes creative potential & looks fearless at times, but he needs solid support from other players. Matt Simon might be brought on as a strike weapon in the last quarter of the game to test the opposition. The big bopper’s role as mentor will hopefully keep him away from any stray red cards.