BY THE PALM TREES – Round Six Preview

The Mariners were unlucky to miss out on all three points last weekend when Wellington visited Central Coast Stadium. Although the Phoenix lead for much of the game and played well early, once they had their goal there was really only one team looking for the win. Although we went close on a number of occasions, we continue to struggle with finishing the many opportunities we make. Positives included Mitch Austin and Fabio Ferreira putting in storming displays on the flanks, the defence frugally holding the quality Wellington attack to a single goal and Roy O’Donovan continuing his one per game home scoring record.

It’s one of those times of season again where we take on our F3 Derby rivals and talk has been about how the intensity of the rivalry has diminished over the years. Maybe it has. For the fans, given the proximity of our border (perhaps our disputed border) with Newcastle, there are and will always be fans on either side of the line that support the other side’s team. Jets supporters will be among people we Mariners fans work with each day, they will be people we see in our weekly social lives, they will be people we play local football with and against and they will even be people in our own families. It might not be about hatred the way it is in some older leagues around the world. It might not be about who throws the most coins at the opposition players. It might not be about bad tackles, abusing the fans of the opposition, burning the stadium furniture or confrontations outside. I want the rivalry to include the people who we really are, and that includes every type of fan. We can be massive rivals about the match once the whistle blows, but we can also be mates off the park, at all levels. I’m not ashamed to admit I have mates and associates who are Jets fans and the banter I have with them during derby week is what it’s about for me. For me that rivalry has never diminished.

About the game – there is no hiding from it – Newcastle have started season eleven well. They’ve already racked up plenty of points and taken them from some pretty decent opposition. Despite the financial uncertainties which have existed for them they’ve made the best of it and made a decent start.

In my opinion the Mariners have also started the season well. Considering we have needed to rebuild almost from the ground up there is much promise that our direction will prove sound and getting the results for our industrious efforts might not be too far away. Some of the specifics of our good start are:-

• The level of fitness our rebuilt off-season has given to our team. We are clearly fit and physically prepared for the style of we want to play.
• The good talent we have identified from overseas – Mitch Austin and Harry Ascroft are the examples
• The further improvement this year of our existing players – in particular Fabio Ferreira, Anthony Caceres, Nick Montgomery and Jacob Poscoliero spring to mind
• The talent we have unearthed locally and promoted from our youth – Jake McGing
• Roy O’Donovan is scoring goals – O’Donovan has managed to put away three goals in five matches (a rate of 0.6 per game). Granted it’s just 5 games but such a rate would place him equal fourth in the all-time goals rate statistic. Last season fans craved for a person who could become our “Goal Scoring” striker. If O’Donovan continues in this current fashion he will have completely delivered on even the highest expectations.

I think we’re showing signs that some of these things are likely to bear fruit for us soon.

Can we deliver a victory in the F3 Derby and satisfy some of the doubters? I think we can. While Newcastle have started well I think there has been an element of luck in some of their success. Meanwhile, I think the Mariners have (at times) been unlucky not to get the results their good efforts have suggested the should. I think this weekend can be part one of delivering on some of that promise.

My Prediction – Mariners by 1

 

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