Flying left back Joshua Rose will become the eighth player in Central Coast Mariners history to make 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Club when he takes to the field against Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta on Monday.
Flying left back Joshua Rose will become the eighth player in Central Coast Mariners history to make 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Club when he takes to the field against Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta on Monday.
The reliable Rose joined the Mariners in 2010 after a three year spell with Romanian outfit Universitatea Craiova, and has since established himself as one of the most consistent players in Australia-s top flight.
Rose will join former captain Alex Wilkinson and current skipper John Hutchinson, as well as Danny Vukovic, Matt Simon, Adam Kwasnik, Michael McGlinchey, and Pedj Bojic in making 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for the yellow and navy when the Mariners travel to Sydney-s west for Monday-s blockbuster round 11 tie.
Following Central Coast-s final training session before Monday-s match, Rose said he feels proud that he will have his name etched in Mariners history alongside seven of the finest players ever to don the Club-s colours.
“It-s an honour and when you look at those names they-re Mariners to a tee,” Rose said. “To have my name alongside these guys is an honour and for me it-s a fantastic achievement.”
“We-ve had a big three years since I came here. We-ve played in two Grand Finals, won one, and won a Premiership. I think the best of all [for me] was winning last season-s Grand Final.”
Rose is renowned for being a model professional and despite having his 100 game milestone looming, says he is fully focussed on the job he and his teammates have infront of them against Wanderers.
“Once the whistle goes or even during preparation the 100 games won-t even enter into my mind,” he explained. “It-s about getting the three points tomorrow night and we know that Western Sydney are a very tough team to breakdown, especially in Parramatta.”
“We-re going to have to be patient and play some good football to get the three points.”
Central Coast Mariners boss Phil Moss praised Rose for his imminent achievement, before explaining that he-s been delighted with the ways his players are handling the transition period that the Club is currently going through.
“He-s a real ironman, Rosey,” Moss said. “He-s always there to do his job, he turns up every day at training, turns up every game, and you just know what you-re going to get from him. If every footballer was Josh Rose it would probably be too easy a job for a coach.”
“He-s a great guy to work with and I-m thrilled for him that he-s going to play his 100th game infront of such a great crowd and on a stage that is befitting of his qualities.”
Moss added: “I-ve said openly and honestly that the Club is going through a lot of changes. I think the first thing that suffers in a period of instability is consistency and rhythm, and they are probably the two things that you-re seen from our performances over the last five weeks.”
“But I-ve said to the players that in those five weeks we-ve picked up ten points out of a possible 15, so that-s a real positive. It-s a credit to the players and they-ve really shown such a great attitude and a willingness to work hard for each other and push through the tough times, and that-s what this Club-s about.”
Moss has named an initial 17 player squad for Monday-s matchup, with Zac Anderson and Michael McGlinchey in the frame to return from injury for the encounter.
A strong crowd is anticipated for the second Mariners Wanderers duel of the season, after 17,134 fans witnessed the two teams play out an entertaining 1-1 draw in round 1 of season nine of Australia-s top flight at Gosford-s Bluetongue Stadium in October.
First team squad members Hayden Morton, Brent Griffiths and Michael Neill will line up for the Club-s Foxtel National Youth League team against Melbourne Victory Youth in Tuggerah on Sunday.
Central Coast Mariners Squad vs. Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Justin PASFIELD (Gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Marcel SEIP, 5. Zachary ANDERSON, 7. John HUTCHINSON (C), 8. Nick MONTGOMERY, 9. Mitchell DUKE, 10. Marcos FLORES, 11. Nick FITZGERALD, 12. Liam REDDY (Gk), 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Anthony CACERES, 19. Matt SIMON, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI *one to be omitted*
Ins: 5. Zachary ANDERSON (promoted), 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY (returns from injury)
Outs: 13. Hayden MORTON (Foxtel National Youth League)
Unavailable: 22. Tom SLATER (back – 2 weeks), 23. Adam KWASNIK (knee – indefinite)
Central Coast Mariners vs. Western Sydney Wanderers – Hyundai A-League Round 11
Monday 23 December, 2013
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match!
Twitter: Join the conversation on Twitter! The official match hashtag is #WSWvCCM
