Midfielders Glen Trifiro and Isaka Cernak, plus left-sided utility Matt Sim, are the latest players to join the Central Coast Mariners after deals for the trio were finalised on Wednesday.
Midfielders Glen Trifiro and Isaka Cernak, plus left-sided utility Matt Sim, are the latest players to join the Central Coast Mariners after deals for the trio were finalised on Wednesday.
Trifiro and Sim join the Club on loan from NSW Premier League outfits Sydney United 58 and Sutherland Sharks respectively until the end of May, while Cernak has been released by domestic rivals Perth Glory in order to link with the defending Hyundai A-League Champions.
Cernak-s contract with the yellow and navy will run through to the end of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 season, and was completed early this evening.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Phil Moss believes Trifiro, Cernak and Sim possess the attributes and attitudes necessary to make positive contributions to the Club.
“Like always we have done our research on Glen, Isaka and Matt as people as well as players, so I have got no doubt that they will fit into our squad seamlessly,” Moss said.
“Glen can cover six, eight and ten, and it-s important for us to have depth in those areas and competition for places. We also have John Hutchinson, Nick Montgomery, Anthony Caceres and Kim Seung-yong for those roles, but it is imperative that we have continued competition for places.”
“In Glen-s case he was arguably the best player in the Premier League last season, so this is deserved recognition for his efforts.”
“I worked with Matt at Manly United years ago and know his qualities and that he-s a motivated person. He-s a player of high technical quality with the ability to go past players. He-s put in the hard yards and deserves a shot in a professional set up.”
“I am all for giving players an opportunity and the State League is a rich nursery. I think that Glen and Matt will lift their levels now that they are in a full time environment.”
“Mark Rudan (Sydney United) and Robbie Stanton (Sutherland Sharks) and their Clubs were very helpful and supportive of their players getting this opportunity, and I-d like to thank them for that,” he said.
On the versatile Cernak, Moss said: “Isaka is proven at the Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League levels, and has played for some big clubs including Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory. His talent is undeniable and I think he can realise his full potential in the environment we will provide him here.”
Trifiro, 24, played for the Central Coast Mariners Foxtel National Youth League team in 2008/09, before enjoying spells with Perth Glory Youth as well as time in the Victorian and NSW Premier Leagues.
His efforts for Mark Rudan-s Sydney United 58 last season saw him receive widespread praise in State League circles, and he also collected the John Kosmina Medal as best player in the National Premier League (NPL) Final.
Trifiro, who scored the opening goal as United beat South Hobart 2-0 in the NPL showpiece in Tasmania, said he is delighted to return to the Coast club.
“I began at the Mariners in the first season of the National Youth League in 08/09 and to be given the opportunity to be a full time professional at the same club that I stated at is special,” Trifiro said. “It-s fantastic to be given the opportunity now and a lot of hard work in the past has led to this.”
Cernak, 24, has played at five Hyundai A-League clubs in the past and has represented Australia extensively at youth level.
He said he is pleased to be joining the defending Hyundai A-League Champions.
“Anyone would be privileged to play for Central Coast Mariners,” Cernak said. “You only have to look at their track record to know that they are a successful club.”
“I feel I have a lot more to give and I am looking forward to showing that. It-s also exciting for me to get the opportunity to play Asian Champions League football.”
“Being able to have one-and-a-half years to learn as a footballer off ‘Mossy- (Moss) and the players at Central Coast Mariners is really exciting for me,” he said.
Sim, 25, went close to signing for the Mariners- regional rivals, Newcastle Jets, a few years ago after turning out for their youth team.
He said he is ecstatic to have been given an opportunity to show his skills at the Hyundai A-League level.
“I am very happy to get this opportunity,” Sim said. ‘Mossy- (Moss) has been monitoring a few players from the State League and he-s given me and (Glen) Trifiro a go which is very good.”
“Now I am here I hope to get the opportunity to show what I can do in the Hyundai A-League,” he said.
Trifiro and Sim commenced training with the Mariners this morning, while Cernak is set to arrive on the Central Coast later this week.
