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Mariners back to winning ways after Brisbane battle

Central Coast Mariners kicked off 2025 with a 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar, after a battle at Suncorp Stadium.

The Mariners led at half time after an early own goal but Ben Halloran equalised midway through a fiery second half.

Harry Steele’s timely first goal of the season put us back in front, as his flying header from Storm Roux’s cross beat Macklin Freke.

Mark Jackson introduced 17-year-old Arthur De Lima for his A-League debut late on and he struck the third in added time to seal a big win for the Mariners.

Dylan Periaic-Cullen would be crucial for the Mariners, making a total of seven saves in the 90 minutes.

🔢 Line-Up

Jacko made two changes as Christian Theoharous and Will Wilson were rewarded for their second half impacts off the bench against Melbourne City on New Years Eve, with a start at Suncorp.

17-year-old De Lima made the bench, whilst Ryan Edmondson returned to the matchday squad for the first time since suffering an eye injury in November.

Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak, Sainsbury (C), Theoharous, McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Roux, Steele, Wilson, Paull.

Substitutions:
54′ ON: Feijao, Brandtman OFF: Theoharous, Wilson
64′ ON: Herrington, Edmondson OFF: Sainsbury, Kuol
86′ ON: De Lima OFF: Roux

Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Eames.

First Half

The Mariners started brightly with an early chance for Theoharous at the back post, but he couldn’t keep his effort down as he arrived at the back post to meet Roux’s cross.

The opening goal came on 11 minutes as Mikael Doka’s free-kick caused problems for the Roar defence, with the ball eventually going in off Walid Shour.

Bottom of the table Brisbane refused to lie down despite the Mariners opening the scoring, Jay O’Shea called Peraic-Cullen into action for the first time on the night, with his long-range effort scooped up by the young Mariners stopper.

Peraic-Cullen would have to be at his best on the night, he was forced into another save ten minutes later as he saved from Keegan Jelacic after Roar got in behind the Mariners defence.

Roar’s danger man Thomas Waddingham had his first chances of the game just after the half hour mark, but Peraic-Cullen again stood firm in the Mariners goal.

Second half

Peraic-Cullen’s biggest save of the game came on 56 minutes, spreading himself bravely to keep out Waddingham one-on-one.

At the other end, Mariners substitute Bailey Brandtman could only fire straight at Freke after Roux’s cut-back on the hour mark.

With Brisbane fighting to get back into the game and avoid a seventh straight home loss, tempers flared on 68 minutes as Hosine Bility flew into a challenge on Brian Kaltak and was shown a yellow card, Alfie McCalmont following him into Adam Kersey’s book for his role in a melee.

Roar’s equaliser came on 70 minutes, Halloran arriving at the back post and finishing smartly into the roof of the net on the volley.

Kersey’s busy second half would continue as cards were shown to Lucas Herrington and Edmondson following a scuffle in the middle of the park, Halloran was then the third Roar player to be booked for a shirt pull moments later.

The Mariners would regain the lead on 80 minutes, Steele with a fantastic, flying header from Roux’s cross, just his third A-League goal in over 74 matches.

As expected late in the game, Brisbane threw everything a the Mariners but the defence held firm, throwing bodies in the way to defend a scramble in the box on 83 minutes.

At the other end, Bility was shown a second yellow card on 88 minutes for pulling down Edmondson.

The Mariners punished 10-man Roar in added time, De Lima striking a dream debut goal to seal an important three points.

▶️ Full Highlights and Match Reaction via Central Coast Mariners YouTube

Watch the full highlights below, with further match reaction including post-match interviews from Arthur De Lima, Dylan Peraic-Cullen and Mark Jackson available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube

🌴 Next up

Our January travels continue with a trip to Sydney FC on Saturday, before we also face Western Sydney Wanderers, Wellington Phoenix and Western United on the road.

The Mariners then return home for a massive F3 Derby Double Header in almost a month’s time.

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