Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold has named all 21 players at his disposal for this Saturday’s F3 Derby clash against Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold has named all 21 players at his disposal for this Saturday-s F3 Derby clash against Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium.
The only name missing from Arnold-s preliminary squad is regular right back Pedj Bojic. Bojic collected his fifth yellow card of the season against Sydney FC last Sunday and is suspended for one fixture.
By naming all 21 players available, Arnold has underlined the strength and depth of his squad. Indeed, there are currently no injuries within the Mariners ranks, and Arnold said this is primarily down to the skilled work of the clubs Head of Sport Science, Andrew Clark.
“‘Clarky- is meticulous in his work and the fact I have 21, not including Pedj Bojic who is also fit, players to choose from is testament to the work he is doing for this football club,” Arnold said.
“The way we planned our pre-season is paying dividends. Other clubs have players out long-term, and while injuries are sometimes a product of misfortune, they can also be a product of overtraining or similar mismanagement.”
“Up until now we have certainly got the mix right and we are working diligently with each player to keep them on the pitch or training paddock so we can push to a new level,” he said.
Arnold also said the spirit within his squad was at an all time high, and that there is an undoubted camaraderie between his players and staff unlike at some other clubs.
“No doubt what we have here at the Mariners is unique,” Arnold said. “I-ve said it many times in the media, it is a pleasure coming to work with the boys every day.”
“I turn up knowing that my players will give all they can, and as a coach that-s all you can ask for.”
The Jets will be without leading players including English import Francis Jeffers (injured) and Jobe Wheelhouse who is sick with a virus. Utility Tarek Elrich is also suspended for the match.
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 5. Brad Porter, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Rostyn Griffiths, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 12. Troy Hearfield, 13. Stuart Musialik, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Tomas Rogic, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 21. Sam Gallagher, 22. Mustafa Amini, 23. Adam Kwasnik*six to be omitted*
In: 5. Brad Porter, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 13. Stuart Musialik, 15. Brad McDonald, 17. Tomas Rogic, 21. Sam Gallagher (All promoted), 8. Rostyn Griffiths (Returns from injury)
Out: Pedj Bojic (Suspended)
Unavailable: Nil
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben Kennedy (Gk), 2. Taylor Regan, 3.Mario Simic, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Tiago Calvano, 6. Ben Kantarovski, 8. Jeremy Brockie, 9. Michael Bridges, 10. Ruben Zadkovich, 13. Sung-Hwan Byun, 14. Labinot Haliti, 17. James Virgili, 18. Marco Jesic, 19. Matthew Nash (Gk), 22. Ali Abbas, 23. Ryan Griffiths, 25. Jacob Pepper*two to be omitted*
In: 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 17. James Virgili (all promoted), 10. Ruben Zadkovich (returns from suspension)
Out: 11. Tarek Elrich (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: Sam Gallaway (knee), 24.Francis Jeffers (ankle), 12. Jobe Wheelhouse (virus)
Head-to-head: Played 25: Wins: Central Coast 9, Newcastle 8, Draws: 8
Last encounter: Central Coast 2 – Newcastle 0, December 10, 2011
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners vs. Newcastle Jets
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to Saturday’s F3 Derby.
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official hashtag for this Saturday’s clash is #HALccmjets
