As a manager with one of the smaller A-League budgets, Central Coast boss Nick Montgomery is often forced to find a diamond in the rough.
But the Mariners’ head coach looks to have unearthed another gem in the shape of towering 29-year-old Brian Kaltak, who is blossoming at ALM level after finally being given a chance to shine.
The Vanuatu international arrived at the Mariners as a triallist when the club was looking to fill the void left by the departure of Socceroos centre back Kye Rowles to Scottish side Hearts.
Kaltak looks to be a ready-made replacement and he was rock solid for the Mariners in their 3-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday.
He cleared one gilt-edged chance off the line and cut plenty of others off before they even got to that stage as the Mariners secured just their second clean sheet of the season to move up to third spot.
“A clean sheet is really important and I thought we defended really resolutely,” Montgomery said.
“(Newcastle’s) Beka Mikeltadze is a top striker and you can’t give him a chance and we didn’t. Brian and Dan (Hall) were outstanding.”
Kaltak is making up for lost time after taking one of the more varied routes to the ALM.
Prior to arriving in Gosford, he had enjoyed spells in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Zealand and NPL South Australia.
He also won multiple caps for his homeland, who are currently ranked 164th in the world by FIFA, along the way.
The closest he got to an ALM gig before was a stint with the Wellington Phoenix’s academy over 10 years ago, with Montgomery surprised at how so many rival clubs had passed him by.
“Nobody gave him an opportunity but I’ve seen his desire to improve,” Montgomery said.
“He’ll be a big part of this club moving forward for the next couple of years.
“I think he’s really growing into the leader that I expect him to be.
“He’s a really powerful athlete, and now he’s getting a better understanding, he’s just a really humble, genuine guy and I’m really happy for him and the whole back four.
“They’re all starting to gel a little bit and that’s normal with a new back four.”
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
gutierrez is a name that has been around the traps now for a couple of seasons, he is not the player on trial though. jackson walls is another one that should be closer looked at, now that hes added goals to his game. - could be a sleeper for player of the year in the upcoming sa npl
Brendan
Roar Pro
That Tulio goal was pure cheek, and I loved it. The sheer audacity.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Well, CCM nearly won the FFA Cup a few years ago. Gosh, Kuol just needs to stay a bit longer though. Alas, the EPL have their eyes on him.
WMM
Guest
Absolutely no need to return to Oceania. The idea is to keep progressing forward with our development, not to regress backwards because it’s easier.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The reason to move back to Oceania is the Club World cup spot. Why do you think the Kiwis could not wait for Australia to leave.
Franko
Guest
Juan Gutierrez getting a look? He's one I had down for ALeague but maybe the visa works against him.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Maybe this is a sign that we should move back to Oceania?
John Newy
Guest
It was a great result by the CCM. Tulio find of the season. A good team to watch. Before we rate them too highly take a look at the out of form Jets. Gone is the exciting attacking football, replaced by a team that is yet to gel. I like Stynes, but they need to play the ball to his feet. Thurgate and Natta played well. Should we be looking at Papas now? Watching the coaches during KU all access, he didn’t impress me, seems to me he is still learning his craft. Gone are the days he is touted to coach SFC. I hope they prove me wrong. Bottom four finish.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
based purely on what was achieved, that's a fair statement lots of good players in the NPL, but it's extremely difficult to make the step up in terms of fitness from semi pro to actual pro football in australia i dont have enough fingers on my hands to count the number of times i've seen NPL players throw up after an intense double session of a league training lol
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
there's a couple of defenders currently on trial from the SA NPL - to fill in as injury replacements for the long-term injuries to van der saag and warland
Franko
Guest
AU sort of seemed in the market for a CB at the start of year. Frogga didn't rate him, or just preferred Warland-Popovic-Ansell-Barr. You'd assume Ansell is the best paid of the bunch and has probably delivered the least.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Cannot agree more, last week was horrible & let hope we never have to see something like that again. Lets get back to talking football again.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Dan Hall was the standout, Kaltak would I swap him for Donachie definelty not a seconds hesitation. Kaltak is better than Kelici, and Triantis looks like he will get sent off constantly fouls. Dan Hall though is the big prospect , I rate him certainly above Rowles, why is he talking about playing for Fiji when he could be a Socceroos player.
AGO74
Guest
The Og Monster - greatest mature age rookie in history of A-League. Look what he did.... Not totally surprising that a mature age person may do well. They know that at age 25+ this is likely going to be their one and only chance to break through and have the maturity to manage that and make it count, whereas for many youngsters there are usually second chances as they get recycled through various clubs.
AGO74
Guest
After the trauma of the last week, isn't it nice to be able to talk about the football. Looked like a great night up at Gosford for the locals. CCM - the small club that just keeps on keeping.
Punter
Roar Rookie
I went up to Gosford to watch them play against SFC & they were very good Stevo, I rate Triantis & he can't get a look in wit Hall & Kaltek playing so well, attacking options very strong in Kuol, Cumming, Tulio & Silvera & solid midfielders in Nisbet & Balard.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
got to know BK very well last year at Beograd - very humble and deeply religious man he was the defensive rock in the second half of the season, as the club narrowly missed out on finals. beograd had offered him a new contract, as they wanted to create an all vanuata cb pairing with new signing Jared Clarke - but never realistically could compete against an a league clubs offer. its surprised me, how well hes adapted to a fully professional enviroment. there can be value sometimes for a league clubs with 'mature age' rookies
Franko
Guest
Calling it early, I think the Mariners can make the GF. Kaltak is one, Túlio is another one they've scouted well. In N'Kolo, Cumdingo, Kuol (is he staying on loan?), Ayongo and Tulio - they really have a bunch of options up top.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Well, well, well, doesn't this set-up a juicy match between City and CCM on 27 Dec! I guess I better get along and support the boys - minus the flares and agro :laughing: . I think we're gonna need it against this pretty good lookin' Mariners squad.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I like the look of him - a strong and passionate central defender. He was a really good signing. It’s interesting too that football is the national sport of Vanuatu.