The Scouting Report: Central Coast Mariners Academy 2013 Season Preview

With a direct link to the reigning A-League Premiers, Mariners Academy provides a unique opportunity for their players to develop their game at a highly competitive level all the while with the potential to step up to the next level whilst playing under the watchful eye of the Mariners staff operating in the A-League and National Youth League.
The Team: Having recently formed in 2012, the Mariners Academy are comprised of an interesting blend of the youthful talent that earned their side promotion combined with a number of key acquisitions in players that have already established themselves in the National Premier League.
Mark Jones has brought in Adam Jenner, James Monie, and former Gold Coast United midfielder Daniel Bragg from Blacktown City FC, as well as Louis Bozanic from City’s rivals Blacktown Spartans.
Add former Sydney FC striker Chris Payne from Bonnyrigg and the enigmatic Tomislav Cirjak from Rockdale City Suns and you have well in excess of 100 matches of National Premier League experience accumulated from 2012 alone.
Under the posts the much travelled Jordan Nikolovski gets his chance to shine as the club’s number one custodian. After stints with the Sutherland Sharks and Bankstown City Lions as second keeper, Nikolovski has been given the chance to strut his stuff as he makes the long trek from his Sydney home to the Coast a couple of days a week for training and a match.
Aside from their established NSW based players the squad possesses the quality of players that sit on the fringe and former A-League players along with a collection of local players in accordance with the club’s policy of nurturing the pool of talent residing on the Central Coast.
The Mariners Academy’s ambitions extend beyond survival; the Central Coast club is looking to launch a highly competitive side into this year’s competition and is aiming to achieve a top half finish with their attractive brand of football.
Jones’ men will surely be a side to keep an eye on in this campaign with a club structure that sets a benchmark for clubs across the country.
The Coach: The Mariners Academy scored a wealth of experience in bringing in Mark Jones from his position as Perth Glory’s assistant coach. Jones comes into the setup having also worked as Newcastle Jets’ assistant coach for half a decade, as well as having worked with Gary Phillips at Malaysia’s Sabah FA and under Laurie McKinna at China’s Chongqing Lidan.
Jones’ experience as a player is also spread across over 200 appearances in the former National Soccer League with Newcastle Breakers, Sydney Croatia, and Marconi Stallions, making Jones a prime candidate for coaching a side looking to impose themselves on Sydney based opposition.
Originally heralding from Newcastle, Jones returns to the region looking to nurture local talent and further his growing reputation as an established coach in the Asia-Pacific region.
Player to watch: Mariners Academy have an exciting recruit in Adam Biddle who is sure to have a sizeable impact on their 2013 campaign. The Sydney born 24 year old comes into Jones’ side from the Northern Tigers with a teenage stint at Sydney FC under his belt and a skillset to keep opposing defenders on their toes.
The midfielder is the engine of the team and possesses the ability to make something out of nothing. Biddle’s sharp footwork keeps him tidy on the ball and feeds his capacity to both run at and beat players. If Biddle can control the occasional urge to do too much with possession he’ll be sure to both light up the league and bring success to the Central Coast club.
Rising star: At a ripening 19 years of age Liam Odell is an outstanding prospect for the Mariners Academy. As an ideal example of local talent the Central Coast teen has forced his way into Jones’ central defence.
Composed on the ball, strong in the air and with the ability to play out from the back, Odell is a future star who is cementing his place in the starting XI and staking his claim for a place in the Mariners’ National Youth League side.
2013 Squad: Jordan Nikolovski, Darren Cooper, Jamie Lobb, Adam Jenner, Brady Smith, Chris Payne, Scott Petitt, Daniel Bragg, James Monie, Adam Biddle, Louis Bozanic, Tomislav Cirjak, Dillon Vorster, Jed Prater, Dean Caletta, David Bradasevic, Alex Burrell, Adam Woodbine, Liam Odell
-By Michael Shoolman