Season 3: Central Coast

Squad

Goalkeepers: Danny Vukovic, Matthew Trott, Andrew Redmayne

Defenders: Dean Heffernan, Alex Wilkinson, Tony Vidmar, Nigel Boogaard, Paul O'Grady, Andrew Clark

Midfielders: Andre Gumprecht, Tom Pondeljak, Greg Owens, Mile Jedinak, John Hutchinson, Matthew Osman, Damien Brown, Brad Porter, Ian McAndrew

Forwards: Sasho Petrovski, Nick Mrdja, Adam Kwasnik, Matthew Simon

Vacancies: 1

Player Movement

In: Heffernan, Petrovski, Owens, Redmayne, McAndrew

Out: Stewart Petrie, Noel Spencer, Wayne O'Sullivan, John Crawley, Jamie McMaster, Vuko Tomasevic

Comments

Key Man: Petrovski - suddenly, with the acquisition of Sasho and the re-emergence of Mrdja, the Mariners are scoring goals again. Petrovski was clearly disgruntled so at Sydney that he seemingly allowed his form to dip. We know better: he's a proven goal-scorer, something the Mariners have lacked since Petrie's was successful in their inaugural season.

High Expectations: Mrdja - it's been so long, but we haven't been prompted to forget about Mrdja, who has always managed to remain conspicuously absent with his long-term injuries - now all that's behind him, it's time to bang-in some goals and see if Andrew Durante has forgiven him for breaking his leg.

'X' Factor: Heffernan - can he get close to the goal-scoring heroics of yesteryear? Probably not, but his blazing pace will still cause problems for sluggish right-sided fullbacks in the league (Alagich? Coyne?)

Young Gun: Boogaard - after only just managing to clinch to a new contract, has recently turned in some excellent performances to cement his position in the starting line-up.

Consistent Performer: Wilkinson - a manager's dream stopper: week-in, week-out, he's there for you because he's rarely caught out, hardly ever gets cautioned (just 4 yellows in over 4,000 minutes) and remains healthy. (Of course, as I write this he's just been listed as out injured.) Over-shadowed amid the rise of Michael Beauchamp, but could be a better long-term prospect.

Problem Child: Nobody - okay Petrovski is a tad smug, Heffernan has already pulled a few wild man antics, but really there's no conflict or bizarre behaviour worth reporting on (yet).

Prediction

3rd.

Now this is a balanced squad, and what remarkable depth in midfield. Easily the most under-rated team heading into this season, which is quite amazing considering the extent of their success in season one and at consecutive off-season Hong Kong 7s tournaments, the Mariners will have every chance to make a championship tilt. They've improved up front with the signing of Petrovski and the belated return of Mrdja. They've brought back Heffernan from Germany, immediately giving them a most dangerous attacking fullback to keep up with Adelaide's (Cassio) and Melbourne's (Keenan) new signings in the same position. Fit-again Pondeljak, Hutchinson, Vidmar and Boogaard are all big boosts. The only question mark is probably in defence, which like any other team in the competition will be tested by the big striker partnerships of other squads. Vukovic anchoring the backline helps an awful lot. Can go all the way.