Central Coast Mariners midfielder Bradley Porter has made the best possible start to what always loomed as a career defining Hyundai A-League season for the outstanding local product.
Central Coast Mariners midfielder Bradley Porter has made the best possible start to what always loomed as a career defining Hyundai A-League season for the outstanding local product.
Porter has more than underlined his value to the Mariners- Premiership defence with a string of performances in a variety of positions that have showcased the potential of the Australian youth international, who up until this campaign had struggled to nail down a permanent starting spot.
Recently, Porter has almost been the first name added to the Mariners- team sheet; be it in defence, attack, on the flanks or in central positions.
Including the Pre-Season Cup, Porter has started each of the Mariners- last nine competitive fixtures, almost a third of his career tally in yellow and navy, which also includes netting his first goal for his hometown club.
Against an in-form Adelaide United side on Friday, Porter will be hoping to build upon what has been an impressive and convincing individual start for one of the Mariners- unsung heroes.
“I think that Queensland was the start of the little run that we-re on at the moment and our performances have been getting better and better every week,” said Porter.
“Our passing, movement and composure has looked very good and I think the first half against Perth on Friday was probably the best we-ve played in a long time.
“Congratulations to Adelaide, they-ve been magnificent, to achieve what they have in the AFC Champions League and then to back it up with a good win at home against Newcastle shows that they-re going to be really tough.
“They-re my pick to really give the title a shake so if we can go over there and get a point or even three points, it-d put us top of the Hyundai A-League with the other games to come, which would be good.”
Porter, one of a handful of Mariners players to have started each of the Mariners- opening six Hyundai A-League 2008/09 matches, last Friday became the clubs fifth player born or raised on the Central Coast to celebrate 30 competitive appearances for their hometown club.
Porter is now equal with former Mariners midfielder and fellow Central Coast product Jamie McMaster as the fourth most capped local talent in Mariners colours, behind current team-mates Andrew Clark (75), Matt Simon (31) and recently appointed Youth Development Co-ordinator Damien Brown (58).
Porter has been one of the Mariners- early season success stories, having excelled in a number of positions in defence and attack, most notably providing assists for each of Simon-s goals against the Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium a fortnight ago.
“I-ve enjoyed every minute of it,” said Porter.
“I did OK in pre-season and started the first game against Newcastle and have gone on it with, I-ve played a few different roles, in the middle, wide on the left and right back and that-s been good as well.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign continues at the Hindmarsh Stadium home of AFC Champions League semi finalists Adelaide United on Friday, 3 October. Kick off is at 8pm AEST.
The Mariners are next at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday, 19 October, when they host the Wellington Phoenix in Round 8. Kick off is at 3pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season are now on sale at www.ccmariners.com.au.
