The Mariners were unbeatable toward the end of last season and looked like they could have handled any team in any league on the day they dismantled City in the Grand Final. They were awesome.

But after losing Garang Kuol, Jason Cummings, Beni N’kololo, Nectar Triantis, Sam Silvera and Moresche to greener pastures, and Monty to the Green Gunners (Hibernian), the Mariners were sinking at the start of the new season.

They lost the first four matches and, while they looked strong enough at the back, and in the middle, they were all getting in each other’s way in the front third. It was a total shambles, despite a couple of big wins in the AFC Cup. They couldn’t buy a goal in the league.

That said, they didn’t really look like they’d been outplayed. A 3 – 0 scoreline against Adelaide did not reflect the game. They missed a couple of sitters in the first twenty minutes and then Brian Kaltak went off injured. If the Mariners had led, and Kaltak had stayed on, it could have been a very different outcome.

There were any number of similar instances of bad luck in subsequent matches, but that’s football … shit happens and you have to deal with it.

And new coach, Mark Jackson, has been dealing with it. He has tested most of his squad in different formations and seems to have found a winning formula.

First off – Danny Vukovic is looking comfortable behind a settled back four. A high quality keeper is an absolute necessity for any serious league assault.

That back four is now rock solid with Kaltak and Dan Hall winning everything and flanked by two players who really know their business. Storm Roux is having another excellent season and young Jacob Farrell has emerged as a serious contender for the Socceroos. He used to suffer from an acute case of ball watching but is now always in the right place at the right time. He has, in fact, become a genuine leader on the park and is also dangerous going forward – the epitome of the modern wingback and the Mariners will do well to keep him much longer.

The midfield is one of the best in the league. The likes of Max Balard and Harry Steele are more than competent and perfectly complement Josh Nisbet who, I would suggest, is close to the most valuable player in the competition. He has to at least be in the discussion.

Is there any player with a better record of breaking up attacks and then setting up chances? Like a terrier chasing a tennis ball, he never tires and never gives up. His low centre of gravity enables him to take more steps quickly than opposing players which helps both to win possession and to retain it. Where he’s really improved this year is his running with the ball in broken play and his passing through channels is outstanding. Nizzy seems to be playing further forward in recent games and is giving oppositions nightmares. He's another player the Mariners will be lucky to keep after January. (Monty is surely sniffing about.)

But it’s the settling of the front three which has finally clicked into gear. Marco Tulio was one of the league’s standout players last year but looked completely lost in the first few matches this year. His move out wide, with Nisbet picking up most of the playmaker duties, has enabled him to regain the form of last season and he is once again looking dangerous (and scoring goals).

Angel Torres, after a horror start (with many fans calling for him to be shipped back to South America) is this year’s Beni N’Kololo – except that’s he’s come good far quicker than Beni did. I suspect he was trying too hard in the early matches but has now relaxed into his proper style and is making a strong contribution.

The one place the Mariners can still improve is the number 9 position. Jason Cummings has proven hard to replace (he also used to come deep to double as a #10) so Alou Kuol and Jing Reec are battling it out for the moment. Both look to have potential but the Mariners need a seasoned #9 in January to take up most of the goal scoring duties. Can you imagine how well someone like Jamie Maclaren would go at CCM with the number of chances they create?

They have some pretty decent players in reserve also. Miguel Di Pizio, in particular, looks like a star in the making. He’s only 17 (I think) but his vision and passing range look very mature. We’ll be hearing a lot about him in years to come.

So, after a dodgy start, the Mariners are (for now) back in the top six and will be fearing no-one. Congratulations to Mark Jackson for rebuilding a decimated squad so quickly, and Mariners fans can look forward with confidence to the rest of the season.

Unless of course Monty comes in with his fat Hibs cheque book to spoil the party. I’d be amazed if neither of Nisbet or Farrell are wearing green and white by February.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) was published by Hague Publishing in July 2023. The ebook can be purchased here and the paperback can be ordered here or at your local store.