After making his Hyundai A-League starting debut for the Mariners, Jordan Murray is a proud 23-year-old. The humble striker praised his captain and mentor, Matt Simon. Kick off against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday is 5pm.
To view Murray’s full press conference, click here.
After rising through the local leagues in his hometown of Wollongong and playing in the National Premier League, getting that elusive A-League start was a target set by Murray after signing for the Mariners.
“You sort of set targets during each season you tick off each one that you get, and this is a target. I wanted to play 90 minutes at a professional level and now I want to try and get as high as possible in football and trying to do that as best I can,” Murray said.
Earlier this week our players stopped by Gosford Hospital to deliver some presents and put some smiles on the kid's faces! ? We would like to thank the amazing people involved with @RMHCAustralia for supporting the families of ill children, especially at this time of the year. pic.twitter.com/8ipVp7EFU1
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 20, 2018
But Murray’s not stopping there, with further ambitions in his sight.
“Hopefully a lot more consistent game time and that’s going to come with hard training and playing consistently good but I’m looking at trying to get points for the Central Coast Mariners to get up the table to where we should be,” Murray said.
Matt Simon, the mentor…
Coming into the #F3Derby, there is no better person to learn what this fixture means to the club than Matt Simon.
Simon has been a mentor to Murray who couldn’t be happier with the advice he has been given from the A-League veteran.
“He’s pulled me aside almost everyday teaching me a lot of different things, it’s so good to have someone there, who is older and who is teaching you the basics, the things you haven’t learnt over the years,” Murray said.
Was such a rewarding feeling making kids smile at Gosford Hospital today. #centralcoastmariners #MerryChristmas @CCMariners pic.twitter.com/b6n7I7NtSG
— Jordan Murray (@Jmuzza23) December 18, 2018
After watching Simon play from the stands several months ago, getting to meet and play with him has been seen as a privilege by Murray, who hopes to implement what our skipper has been teaching him.
“It’s brilliant, only 6,7 months ago I was actually watching Matt Simon in the stands, so to be able to play alongside him, it’s a brilliant feeling, I’ve learnt so much from him in so little time and I’m so happy that I can be around someone with such a good history of football and he’s a true captain, he’s definitely someone I look up to.”
“It makes me fight even more when I go out there and I see him do what he does and not only on the pitch but off the pitch he’s just a really humble bloke and I’m privilege to have met him,” Murray said.
The #F3Derby
Murray is no stranger to local rivalries and is confident that the boys can put the past behind them and win this crucial fixture.
Murray understands that this game is not only for the players but also for the loyal Yellow and Navy fans that he has called upon to help push the Mariners over the line and grab the three points.
“It’s very fiery which I like personally, and I know a lot of the boys do so they are going to be really keen for that, but we want the fans to be out in full strength supporting the boys because I know that it is a big game.”
“It’s huge, not only for us but for the fans as well,” Murray said.
Match Details
Sunday, 23 December 2018
Hyundai A-League Round 9
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Newcastle Jets
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Tickets: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #F3Derby & #CCMFC
