Only three teams in A-League Men’s history have managed back-to-back championships: Brisbane Roar (2011 and 2012), Sydney FC (2019 and 2020), and Central Coast Mariners (2023 and 2024).
However, no team has ever achieved the elusive three-peat. This season, the Mariners could be the first to make history as they chase a third consecutive grand final victory in the A-League’s 20th season.
Fresh off a triumphant grand final win at Industree Group Stadium in front of 21,379 fans, the Mariners are heading into the new season with significant changes to their squad.
Manager Mark Jackson, who guided the team to glory last season, will be looking to replicate that success despite a revamped line-up.
Gone are some of last year’s key players: Max Balard (NAC Breda), Jacob Farrell (Portsmouth FC), Dan Hall (Auckland FC), and Johnny Warren Medal winner Josh Nisbet (Ross County).
Captain Danny Vukovic has also retired, leaving a leadership gap in the squad.
To bolster the team, the Mariners have made some notable off-season signings.
Trent Sainsbury, a former Mariners Championship winner returns from Al-Wakrah SC in Qatar to take up the captain’s armband.
However, Sainsbury has been sidelined with an upper-body injury that will keep him out for a significant portion of the season.
Other new recruits include goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic (Sydney FC), defender Lucas Mauragis (Newcastle Jets), midfielder Alfie McCalmont (Carlisle United), and attackers Vitor Feijao (Caxias-RS, Brazil) and Sabit Ngor (Heidelberg United).
This season is crucial, not just for their A-League ambitions but also as they compete in the Asian Champions League Elite, Asia’s premier football competition.
Mark Jackson will need to integrate his new signings quickly to avoid a repeat of last season’s slow start, where the Mariners lost their first four games.
Key figures to watch:
- Leader: Mark Jackson (Manager) – after last year’s heroics, the pressure is on Jackson to bring the new-look team up to speed. Another sluggish start like last season could make it difficult to recover in a more competitive field.
- Best Player: Mikael Doka – the dynamic forward played a pivotal role in the Mariners’ charge to the Premier’s Plate and AFC Cup success. With Josh Nisbet gone, Doka’s goals and creativity will be even more vital.
- Rising Star: Miguel Di Pizio – last season’s grand final saw Di Pizio become the youngest goalscorer in A-League grand final history. At just 18, he is expected to step up as a full-time starter. His ability to handle the physical and mental demands of regular football will be key to the Mariners’ success.
- Under Pressure: the strikers – Ryan Edmondson and Alou Kuol will need to improve on their nine-goal tally from last season. One of them must emerge as a reliable goalscorer if the Mariners are to contend for the title again.
- A Thing to Watch: goalkeeping dilemma – with the retirement of Danny Vukovic, the Mariners have placed their faith in youth with Adam Pavlesic and Jack Warshawsky vying for the number one jersey. It remains to be seen how quickly Jackson will settle on his first-choice goalkeeper.
Season outlook
This could be a transitional year for the Mariners as they bring in fresh faces and integrate talent from their academy.
With the quality they possess, the Mariners should make the finals, but the challenge of securing a three-peat remains a tall order. However, given the right momentum, it’s hard to completely rule out another historic run.
Coast FM 963 radio coverage
As the Central Coast Mariners celebrate their 20th season, Coast FM 963 will once again provide comprehensive coverage of every competitive match. Led by the A-Team (Trent Dickeson, Luke Byrne, Daniel McCamley, and Katrina Ashleigh), Coast FM 963 will broadcast all Mariners men’s games, Mariners women’s home games, and Asian Champions League Elite matches.
Tune in to Coast FM 963 or visit coastfm.org.au for the best local football commentary.
Final Prediction
While the Mariners have enough talent to make the finals, the sheer turnover in their squad might see them fall just short of the elusive three-peat. Nonetheless, this team has surprised before and could very well do so again.
Luke Byrne, football broadcaster