Central Coast Mariners have raided the stocks of fellow NSW A-Leagues clubs, securing the services of full-back Thomas Aquilina from Western Sydney Wanderers and forward Michael Ruhs from Macarthur FC.
Aquilina (21) and Ruhs (19) are two young Australian footballers who loom as replacements for the likes of Lewis Miller and Matt Hatch, who both departed the Mariners this week.
Aquilina made his Wanderers debut in December, 2020 against Macarthur FC, and received his first start for the club in early January, 2021. He’s made 40 appearances in red and black across the past two seasons, 32 of which starts. He’s notched four assists and contributed to seven clean sheets.
Ruhs, meanwhile, has started just four of his 28 games for the Bulls since his debut in January, 2021. The powerful 19-year-old attacker has three A-League Men’s goals to his name – most notably scoring the sealer in a shock 2-0 Macarthur win over Central Coast in the 2020-21 finals series.
Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery says securing the signatures of both Aquilina and Ruhs is a continuation of the club’s plan to attract young talent.
“Identifying young players with potential is something that we pride ourselves on at the Mariners and when we looked at both Thomas and Michael, we could see that they fit our model.
“Thomas can bring a lot to our attack, and he is a player that can play on the right and the left, giving us a variety of options. Michael is a player that at 19, already possesses qualities of someone many years his senior” Montgomery said.
“I look forward to working with both of them during pre-season and for them to hit the ground running.”
Aquilina says he’s kept a strong dialogue with the Mariners coaching staff in the build-up to his arrival at the club.
“I’m an attack minded player who knows how important it is for a modern-day full back to contribute in the attack to help provide assists & goals and I want to do that for the Mariners.
“I’ve spoken to Monty (Nick Montgomery) & Serg (Mariners assistant Sergio Raimundo) a lot throughout the off-season & I’ve always heard greats things from players about the way they work. They’re coaches I want to work for, and I know they will better me on & off the pitch.”
“After seeing the last season & the way that this club is progressing, I knew this is where I wanted to be, and I really feel that the club can sustain these levels or even surpass them.”
Ruhs added: “When you look at what the Mariners are able to do with young players, I would be foolish to go anywhere else.
“I can’t wait to work with Monty as I have already spoken to him at length about the project he is trying to build, and I think I can be a real asset to him and the club” Ruhs said.
“I think I can bring my strong and powerful play style to the club, which I think, will fit in with the intensity that the Mariners play with.”
