Central Coast can’t prevent Newcastle lifting the A-League Premier’s Plate on Saturday, but the Mariners are intent on remaining the only team the Jets haven’t beaten this season.
The Mariners will complete their 2025-26 campaign in the F3 derby at McDonald Jones Stadium, having fallen short in their bid to qualify for next month’s finals series.
In contrast, the first-placed Jets will use the game to fine-tune their preparations for the finals, having already clinched the premiership.
The Jets will be presented the Premier’s Plate after the game, and the Mariners would love to spoil their arch-rivals’ party by ensuring the presentation of the silverware isn’t preceded by a home win.
The Mariners also have the added incentive of avoiding defeat to maintain their unbeaten record against the Jets this season.
Central Coast beat Newcastle 3-2 at Polytec Stadium on October 19, while the teams drew 0-0 when they again met at the Gosford venue on February 28.
“The Jets have beaten every side in the league this season except us, and we want to keep it that way,” Mariners coach Warren Moon said.
“That’s our motivation, but another motivation is to finish the season on the high of a win and end up on as many points as we can, and 35 is where we can get to.
“Not many people at the start of the season thought we could get to 35 points, and that’s where I’m really proud of the group.
“Most people thought we would finish last, and we’ve achieved more than what most people thought we would this season.”
Moon was appointed less than a week before the start of the season following the departure of previous coach Mark Jackson.
The former Brisbane Roar mentor will conclude his stint in charge of the Mariners after Saturday’s game, having made the decision to return to Queensland for family reasons.
“I’ve loved my time at the Mariners, and it’s really sad to go. If there was a possibility to have stayed, I would loved to have looked at it, but it’s not possible,” Moon said.
“If in the future, there was a state in Australia where I could work and have my wife and kids join me, then I would consider it.”
