Ninja A-League preview: Central Coast Mariners’ Finals hopes hinge on new attacking era

Ninja A-League preview: Central Coast Mariners’ Finals hopes hinge on new attacking era We are previewing every club competing in the Ninja A-League 2026/27 season and next on our list is Central Coast Mariners. Here’s a closer look at the Gosford-based team as the new A-League season approaches. Central Coast Mariners 2026/27 A-League preview Manager: Dean Heffernan Last season: 7th Finals: DNQ 2025 A-League champions ready to kick on Today’s preview takes us to Gosford and the 2025 champions, the Central Coast Mariners. Another club who had ownership troubles looming, the Mariners announced in August that Holman Barnes Group would operate the women’s arm of the club. The overall club license is held by Total Soccer Growth Holdings who in July announced they purchase of the club, but wouldn’t commit to running the women’s programme. The Mariners suffered a difficult defence of their title as they failed to make the Finals — missing out on goals conceded. Given the loss of a large part of their squad and manager from that title winning campaign, rookie manager Kory Babington performed well in what turned out to be his sole season in charge. Central Coast Mariners arrivals and departures Babington left in the off-season, with former Mariners men’s player Dean Heffernan taking the reins in the dugout. The biggest outgoing was one that actually occurred at the back end of last season. Annalise Rasmussen finished as the Mariners’ top scorer on 11 goals despite leaving for Juventus in March. Embed from Getty Images Another big departure is that of Isabel Gómez. The young Australia international sealed a move to FC Rosengård in Sweden’s Damallsvensken. The losses of Annabel Martin, Avaani Prakash and Temar Levin who were all regulars last season will also be keenly felt. Heffernan will be hoping that new striking options Kiara De Domizio and Skye Halmarick will be able to fill the void left by Rasmussen. However, the fact they both only scored one goal each last season will be a cause for concern.  Elsewhere, the arrivals of Danika Matos and Charlotte Lancaster will bring plenty of positives, as will the retention of key players such as captain Taren King, young guns Tiana Fuller and Peta Trimis and Swiss international defender Lorena Baumann.  With plenty of quality and experience in defence in midfield, the Mariners’ Finals hopes could hinge on whether they click in attack.  Related articles from Her Football Hub: Ninja A-League preview: Brisbane Roar ready for action with history-making Johnathan Clemente at the helm Ninja A-League preview: Adelaide United undergo squad overhaul after historic back-to-back Finals Sam Kerr’s investment call exposes A-League Women’s financial struggles