Central Coast Mariners boss Graham Arnold is expecting fans to be treated to another memorable evening of football entertainment when his ladder leading team face Brisbane Roar at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.
Arnold’s Hyundai A-League table-toppers and Ange Postecoglou’s men have played out some scintillating matches over the past 12 months, and the wily Arnold believes fans should expect another classic clash between the two sides.
“We always have a good game against Brisbane,” Arnold said. “I think a lot of people think back to last year with the Grand Final and the semi-final, what great games they were, and we’re expecting no different on Saturday night.”
Arnold’s team is coming off an unexpected weekend off having had their round 19 clash with Gold Coast United postponed at the last minute a week ago. Despite having had their bus turned around on the way to Skilled Park, Arnold said the disruption had in fact been a blessing in disguise for his charges.
“I think it was good for us to freshen us up,” he said. “The boys have looked very good at training this week – they’re happy, they’re fit, they’re sharp – it’s a great challenge for us.”
“We’re not even thinking about [the Premiership] to be honest. We’ve still got nine games to go. As I’ve said to the boys, it’s all about Brisbane Saturday night and next week we’ve got Melbourne Victory, so we’ve still got nine tough games ahead of us.”
Like Arnold, Mariners’ Alex Wilkinson said that even should Central Coast defeat Roar in Saturday’s 5:30pm kick-off, the Premiers’ Plate would be far from decided.
“Things can change in football so quickly - that’s the beauty of it,” Wilkinson said. “This week it would be great to get the win over them and make that gap between us and them a bit bigger, but by no means would we be counting ourselves home and hosed – no way.”
Wilkinson also echoed Arnold’s outlook that the game should provide plenty of highlights for supporters.
“The last four or five games we’ve played against Brisbane have been very entertaining. We seem to get a few goals in most games against them, so let’s hope for a bit more of the same this weekend for the crowd, and hopefully we can get the win.”
Central Coast Mariners: 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Josh Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Brad Porter, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 8. Rostyn Griffiths, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 12. Troy Hearfield, 13. Stuart Musialik, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Tomas Rogic, 18. Alex Wilkinson (C), 21. Sam Gallagher, 23. Adam Kwasnik, 31. Brody Crane (Gk) *four to be omitted*
In: 5. Brad Porter, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 13. Stuart Musialik, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Tomas Rogic, 21. Sam Gallagher (all promoted), 31. Brody Crane (short term contract)
Out: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk) (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 11. Oliver Bozanic (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 22. Mustafa Amini (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: 7. John Hutchinson (suspended - 1 week)
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theoklitos (GK), 2. Matt Smith, 3. Shane Stefanutto (C), 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paartalu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Kofi Danning, 10. Henrique, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 18. Luke Brattan, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 24. Nick Fitzgerald *one to be omitted*
In: 7. Besart Berisha (returns from suspension), 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran (promoted)
Out: 14. Rocky Visconte (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 4. Matt Jurman (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 17. Mitch Nichols (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: 19. Jack Hingert (ankle injury - 1 week)
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners vs. Brisbane Roar
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:30pm
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