Mariners’ miracle: The team culture unlike any other that has the Mariners on the verge of a treble
The Central Coast Mariners operate on the lowest budget in the A-League but despite that ROBBIE SLATER writes, the clubs incredible culture has them on the verge of a history defining treble.
By now, everyone knows the story about the lowest budget team in the league defying every
conventional rule of football to stand 90 minutes away from an historic treble.
But behind the trophies, gameplans and precise planning is a team culture unlike any other in our sport, built by a truly unique assembly of players, coaches and staff.
Whereas many teams train in state of the art gyms, the Mariners’ weights room is constructed out of three shipping containers. Whereas some marquee rivals are accustomed to expensive travel, Central Coast players and coaches have been flying back and forth between Asia and Australia in economy class all season, racking up miles and trophies along the way.
And whereas other successful clubs will look to build on their rosters after this season, the Mariners will enter 2024-25 in the knowledge that, once again, their best talent will likely be sold onto wealthier clubs meaning.
Any one of these factors could be used as an excuse for underperformance.
Plenty of other clubs in my experience have cried louder over less.
But the Mariners are different. To them, overcoming adversity and exceeding external expectations is a source of pride. What hurts lesser clubs makes Central Coast stronger.
It all starts from the top.
The club owner, Richard Peil, lives for the Mariners.
He tips in millions of his hard-earned cash, contributes heavily to the club’s strategy and is a curious mixture of energy and superstition whenever the Mariners play.
Did you know, for example, than when his team is behind or not playing particularly well, Peil gets everyone in his box to get up and move to another area where they have to stay until the team scores? Forget the prawn sandwiches, if you’re sitting with Richard you have a role to play in the outcome of the game!
Then there’s coach Mark Jackson.
Flown in at short notice after the departure of Nick Montgomery at the end of last season, Jackson has galvanised an inexpensive, new-look team and immediately turned them into a continental cup winner.
The bond he has established with his players is genuine and fosters competitiveness, especially
around the Teqball table. Teqball, for those who don’t know, is a cross between football and table tennis and Jackson has not been defeated since his arrival in Gosford. Players, coaches and staff have all tried their luck against the coach, a former Leeds player, throughout the season – and all have gone away empty handed.
These are all the little stories that add up to a big culture.
Remember, it wasn’t long ago that the Mariners won four wooden spoons in six campaigns. They were so broke that Graham Arnold once famously had to pay for petrol to put in the lawn mower to cut the training pitch (which, back then, wasn’t even full length). And Lawrie McKinna used to conduct the team’s pre-match meals sitting along the gutter underneath the Brian McGowan Bridge.
Today? The Mariners are a juggernaut.
There’s Max Balard, the midfielder who speaks three languages and has completed two university degrees, playing the season of his life.
There’s his midfield partner Josh Nisbett, who I reckon has been the best player in the league all year. Nisbett is the team’s beacon, a great leader and goal-scorer and is almost certainly heading overseas after this grand final. What a story.
There’s Brian Kaltak at the back; a big, strong defender who has been outstanding for the Mariners this campaign. And there’s the veteran ‘keeper Danny Vukovic, who is retiring after this season and really shouldn’t be. His energy, his passion, his agility and his performances are all of the highest level and in defiance of his age 39.
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Put all of this together and you have a team that has inspired the entire Central Coast. Unlike other A League teams, the Mariners represent a city that doesn’t host another national professional sporting team and the devotion the locals have to their club is unmatched.
It’s proven an irresistible combination this season.
It could again on Saturday.
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