Fresh off a weekend without a game due to the international window, the Central Coast Mariners return to Our Paradise this weekend.
Ready to take on the Brisbane Roar, the Mariners currently sit in fourth place with five matches to go.
Montgomery and the entire squad are confident that they can get the three points on Saturday, aiming to keep the pressure on the top two while securing a finals position.
The match will act as an incredibly special occasion, as Danny Vukovic is set to become just the seventh player to feature in 300 A-League Men’s matches.
Team News
Off the back of a tough 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory a fortnight ago, Nick Montgomery has made two changes to his 20-man squad.
Jacob Farrell returns to the side after missing the last two matches through illness, replacing Sasha Kuzevski.
Beni Nkololo also regains his place in the squad after serving his two-match suspension, with Nicholas Duarte the player to make way.
Danny Vukovic has been named in the squad, in line to make his 300th A-League Men’s appearance.
Brisbane has one change to their squad that defeated Western United two weeks ago, with Jez Lofthouse missing the game through illness. Scott Neville replaces him, coming back from suspension.
Robbie Kruse and Joe Knowles continue to be out due to injuries and will not be a part of the squad.
Recent Form
The Central Coast Mariners have been on a tough run of form lately, including a difficult match against Melbourne Victory in our last game.
Before that game the Mariners demonstrated just how good we can be, dispatching of Macarthur FC 4-1 with an extremely youthful squad.
This game will be the first in almost two months that the Central Coast will have our full regiment of players on deck, with three first teamers expected back this week.
They will complement Brian Kaltak, Nectar Triantis and Moresche, who all returned off the bench in our most recent game.
The Mariners currently sit in fourth place on 31 points, equal with fifth place Wellington Phoenix. We are three points off third place Western Sydney, and four above Sydney FC in sixth.
Since we last played the Roar, this week’s away team have been inconsistent in their results, securing some important wins while also dropping points.
Wins against Perth Glory and Western United have seen them avoid last place, sitting two points above Melbourne Victory.
Their three matches where they have been unable to secure the three points have all ended in heartbreak, starting with conceding a 94th minute equaliser away to Sydney FC.
An 88th minute winner for Melbourne City and a 95th minute sealer from Macarthur have cost them points, sitting four points off sixth place Sydney FC.
Previous Meetings
The Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar have had a fierce rivalry since meeting for the first time in 2005, a 1-all draw at Suncorp Stadium.
Goals have not been the order of business in recent matches, with them often being tight affairs. Just 15 goals have been scored in the last seven matches, with the Mariners looking to add to that number on Saturday.
Brisbane have seen themselves come out on top in more matchups, winning 26 of the 44 games played between the pair.
The Mariners are looking to secure back-to-back wins at Industree Group stadium against the Roar for the second time in our history, with the side coming out 2-1 victors in 2022.
Central Coast have been on the right side of the record of late, winning our past three games against Brisbane.
A win this weekend will be the first time that the club has defeated the Roar four times in a row since we were established.
Squads
Central Coast Mariners
3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 5. James MCGARRY, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 10. Matheus MORESCHE, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harry STEELE, 14. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Danny VUKOVIC, 22. Cameron WINDUST, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER, 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 28. James BAYLISS, 31. Christian THEOHAROUS, 98. Marco Tulio
Ins: 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 18. Jacob FARRELL
Outs: 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 41. Nicholas DUARTE
Unavailable: Bradley TAPP (injury)
Brisbane Roar
1. Macklin FREKE, 2. Scott NEVILLE, 3. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Thomas ALDRED, 7. Rahmat AKBARI, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 12. Taras GOMULKA, 13. Henry HORE, 15. Noah SMITH, 16. Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH, 17. Carlo ARMIENTO, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Marcel CANADI, 22. Stefan SCEPOVIC, 23. Jordan HOLMES, 26. Jay O’SHEA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 32. James NIKOLOVSKI, 35. Louis ZABALA, 99. Ayom MAJOK
Ins: 2. Scott NEVILLE (back from Suspension)
Outs: 11. Jez LOFTHOUSE (Illness)
Unavailable: 14. Robbie KRUSE (Injured), 28. Joe KNOWLES (Injured)
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar
Saturday, April 1st
Kick-off: 5pm AEDT
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Tickets available HERE!
