Central Coast Mariners 2024/25 season preview: Higher expectations to cause more harm than good?
Christian Montegan 
Central Coast Mariners 2024/25 A-League Women's season preview. Photo: Texi Smith. Design: Round Ball Australia.
After an agonising 14-year wait ended, the Central Coast Mariners returned to the competition last season in a move that was long overdue and made sense for all parties.
Arriving with a sense of the unknown and what to expect given the long lay-off, many quickly wrote off the Gosford-based club as they dipped their toes back in the A-Leagues waters. How wrong they were.
With a new manager overseeing a recently assembled squad, the Mariners impressively outperformed to finish fifth on the table and secure a semi-final berth.
Can that same feat be replicated this season? Or even better, go one better and reach a maiden Grand Final?
Those are questions awaiting answers throughout the campaign where we will learn if the team resembles the same resilience and buy-in attitude that soared them to unexpected heights.
The Manager: Emily Husband
Upon her arrival, British-born coach Emily Husband accepted the challenge to lead the Mariners into a bright new era, laying down the marker early.
“From our first match, we will look to compete,” Husband said after her appointment was made official.
“That is going to be the number one objective – bringing the girls together, immersing them into the culture and getting them to represent the club in a positive way.”
And that is exactly what they showcased. A team that fought for every ball, connected in sync as a unit and was extremely adaptable throughout last season.
The Mariners had the second-best defensive record during the regular season in 2023/24, shipping 24 goals in 22 outings (only bettered by eventual champions Sydney FC with 20 goals conceded).
Already, that was one of the main tactical blueprints of Husband’s system to defend compactly and become extremely resolute.
When opting for a more attacking approach, Husband preferred a 4-1-4-1 formation which left the sole midfielder slightly more vulnerable, but made up for the attacking chances they created, especially on the counter.
A similar approach was adopted when they sought to soak up more pressure, reverting to a three-player defence as the wingbacks (Faye Bryson and Bianca Galić to name a couple) looked to squeeze in and neutralise a low block to help set up for the counter.
The Squad
The Mariners felt the pinch with a few eye-catching departures, including influential goalkeeper Casey Dumont who signed for Perth Glory.
Referred to for her heroics in the shoot-out win against her former employers Melbourne Victory in last season’s elimination final, her presence and leadership no longer at the club will surely be felt in the early stages.
The departure of 111-time capped Matilda Kyah Simon will also leave behind a gaping hole for Husband to sort out after it was announced the 33-year-old will not continue her journey with the Mariners.
Having recovered from an ACL injury suffered in England playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Simon returned to the club where it all started to inject life back into her career, now officially putting pen to paper with the Sky Blues.
Rola Badawiya’s eight goals last term did not prove enough for the club to keep hold of the American as her burst of speed and tricky out on the left wing will be another lost asset for Husband.
Faye Bryson, an integral part of the side’s setup last season both at full-back and wing-back, has also made the switch to Sydney FC.
Another wide player moving on from the Mariners is Chinese midfielder Wurigumula.
Having offered 10 goal contributions last season, it can be argued she didn’t receive the plaudits she deserved, but fans could quickly realise that she will be sorely missed.
Many outs mean an influx of arrivals desperately needed, and the signings of duo of Tiana Fuller and Lily McMahon indicate a glimpse of the future ahead.
Fuller, 16, enters the squad carrying the tag of one of the most talented products of the junior Matildas setup, while 21-year-old McMahon finished third in the NPL NSW Golden Boot race last season tallying an impressive 18 goals, and guiding the Northern Tigers to the Sapphire Cup.
At 23 years old, midfielder Taylor Ray will add an abundance of experience having won three Championships with Sydney FC.
She can become the backbone in the middle of the park with her ball-winning ability and physical presence which the Mariners lacked last season.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Central Coast Mariners ahead of the upcoming season. Looking back at the team last year, they really flourished under Emily, and that is something that has really drawn me to the club,” Ray said.
Keep close tabs on new signing Jessika Nash from Melbourne Victory. The Young Matilda is a dynamic full-back with an emphasis to drive forward and join attacking plays whether it be whipping crosses into the box or cutting in centrally.
Perhaps the most versatile player for Husband is Bianca Galić who can slot in at full-back, wing-back, midfield or a central attacking-midfield role – capable of posing endless issues for opposition defences with her fearlessness to push forward.
18-year-old Peta Trimis may have a chance to grab more of the spotlight, as she will look to build on her three goals from last season and grow into a more reliable and complete player. She certainly has the ability.
Expectations
Despite the Mariners overachieving significantly last season, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should be expected to produce similar results this time around.
It is no secret that the club has lost significant key personnel possessing vast amounts of experience; something that is never easy to replace.
For now, it seems the club is happy to trend along the path of a slight rebuilding phase where they will aim to incorporate more youth in an attempt to build for the future.
Sixth place should be the realistic bar set for this version of Central Coast.
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