In a match with more subplots than one, Alen Stajcic will lead the yellow and navy into his first game as Mariners caretaker coach against none other than the Newcastle Jets.
A match that Central Coast Mariners fans will be desperate to claim a result in, ‘Staj’ as he is affectionately known, has had just two days to prepare and select his team.
After putting the team through their strides for the first time on Thursday and Friday, Stajcic has recalled big names in Connor Pain and Andrew Hoole whilst having the added advantage of midfielder Tom Hiariej returning from injury. Hiariej is a timely addition with Aiden O’Neill away on international duty.
The Jets will be looking to keep their finals chances alive, something that the Mariners will be hoping to extinguish. Since their last meeting with the Mariners, they have added former Mariner Kwabena Appiah to bolster their attacking options.
What’s been said, Jack Clisby:
“A lot has changed this week – we’ve got the new gaffer in and things are looking very positive. He’s come in and instilled what he has in the short amount of time he’s been here & what he wants and we’ll try to apply that.”
He (Stajcic) seemed very positive. He’s got a great resume and had been with the Matildas for a while and has done good things with them. We’re very happy to have him here and we think he can really help us move forward.”
“The intensity in training has been great so that’s a good sign – Alen has come in with a plan on how he wants us to play so we’re looking forward to applying that tomorrow night.”
“The Jets have got a strike-force, they’ve got dangerous players up the top and we need to be aware of trying to stop them getting in behind. We just have to all be switched on for the whole game – not just forty five minutes. We need to make it a 90 minute performance”
Squad lists
Newcastle Jets FC: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 8.Jair, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Ronald VARGAS, 11.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matt RIDENTON, 28.Pat LANGLOIS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
*two to be omitted*
Ins: 10.Ronald VARGAS (return from injury), 11.Kwabena APPIAH (promoted), 19.Kosta PETRATOS (promoted), 28.Pat LANGLOIS (promoted)
Outs: 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (calf – 1 week), 13.Ivan VUJICA (national duty), 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS (national duty), 24.Joe CHAMPNESS (national duty)
Unavailable: 3.Jason HOFFMAN (ankle – TBC)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 3.Jack CLISBY, 6. Tom HIARIEJ, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8.Michael McGLINCHEY, 11.Connor PAIN, 17.Peter KEKERIS, 18.Matt MILLAR, 22.Jacob MELLING, 23.Mario SHABOW, 24.Joe GAUCI (gk), 25.Jordan MURRAY, 26.Josh NISBET, 28.Sam GRAHAM, 29.Stephen MALLON, 33.Lewis MILLER, 68.Jem KARACAN
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Tom HIARIEJ (return from injury), 11.Connor PAIN, 23.Mario SHABOW (return from injury)
Outs: 27.Charles M’MOMBWA & 34.Michael GLASSOCK
Unavailable: 10.Tommy OAR (knee inury), 13.Aiden O’Neill (international duty), 15.Kye ROWLES (international duty), 19.Matt SIMON (suspended), 21.Corey GAMEIRO (calf)
Opta Stat Attack
- Matt Millar has provided a joint league high seven assists for the Mariners this season
- The Jets have won their last five games against the Mariners
- Mariners are winless in their last A-League games away from home against Newcastle (D6 L2) – Their last victory in Newcastle was Dec 2012
- The Jets are undefeated in their last five games, keeping two clean sheets in their last two games
- Mariners have led at half time in four of their last six games away from home, however they have not won on the road in the league since Nov 2017
- O’Donovan has scored five goals against the Mariners in four games
Match Details
Hyundai A-League Round 22
Saturday, 16 March 2019
Match: Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:35pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #F3Derby & #CCMFC
