As we gear up for Saturday’s decider, why not take a look back at our history against Central Coast?
Not only will it be the first time we face off against the Mariners in the Grand Final, it’ll also be the first ever meeting between teams in a final.
So here’s a look at how we’ve fared against the Gosford-based outfit in the past…
THIS SEASON SO FAR
We played the Mariners twice during the season, not tasting defeat in either encounter.
The first of the two came at AAMI Park way back in Round 9. It was a warm post-Christmas evening in Melbourne, with Jamie Maclaren doing the damage in the first half.
A beautiful Richard van der Venne assist was the catalyst, the Dutchman finding our number nine in the right spot at the right time – as he so often is – to tap home from close range in the 39th minute.
A few solid second half saves from Tom Glover ensured City would walk away with a well-deserved three points.
You don’t have to cast your minds back too far to the last meeting, which came a little over a month ago in Gosford. On a night that promised plenty leading into the clash, our Premiership celebrations were put on hold for another week due to a late Mariners equaliser.
A cracker from Jordan Bos opened scoring midway through the second half, but an equaliser wasn’t far away, Josh Nisbet putting the champagne back on ice just 15 minutes later.
LOOKING A LITTLE FURTHER BACK
As a whole our record against Central Coast makes for pretty good reading for City fans.
That draw last time we met marked the only time we haven’t walked away winners from any of the past six contests, such has been our form in this fixture over the past few years.
Since our first ever match in the A-League, we’ve faced off 36 times with the Mariners and have walked away with the points on 16 occasions. There have been eight draws, while the Mariners have gotten the better of us 12 times.
Historically there’s been plenty of goals in these match-ups, an average of 2.86 per game being scored in the past.
OUR RECORD IN NSW
Although one of our three losses this season did come away in New South Wales this season, it followed a win in our first trip across the border.
Interestingly though, since those first two away trips to New South Wales, there’s been a common theme about our results…
All of our last four trips to NSW have seen the exact same scoreline, a 1-1 draw. That won’t be a possibility on Saturday night though, with an extra half hour and then penalties on the cards if required!
AND AT COMMBANK SPECIFICALLY…
The home of the Western Sydney Wanderers may not be the oldest stadium in the league, but it is certainly one we’ve had plenty of joy at in recent times.
We’ve played six matches at the stadium, only ever tasting defeat once. We’ve taken the win in four of our other five trips to the stadium, while our only draw came the last time we were at the venue.
