On the Grand Final review special of the Official Isuzu UTE A-League Podcast, host Daniel Garb was joined by KEEPUP’s David Weiner and former A-Leagues defender Robbie Cornthwaite to dissect all the action from Central Coast Mariners’ stunning 6-1 win over Melbourne City. Listen below.
Before the 2023 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final, Socceroos boss Graham Arnold said he had two uncapped Central Coast Mariners’ on his radar.
“The Mariners, young (Nectar) Triantis is going away with the Olyroos. He is doing fantastic. Young (Josh) Nisbet is doing great as well,” he told Network 10 pre-game.
In the hours that followed, the Mariners duo did all they could to impress Arnold, putting their best foot forward with commanding performances en route to a resounding 6-1 win over three-time reigning premiers Melbourne City.
While Triantis commanded the defensive half, it was Nisbet who bossed things in the middle of the park alongside fellow emerging midfielder Max Balard – against Socceroos Aiden O’Neill and Mathew Leckie.
It capped off a brilliant season for the duo, but primarily Nisbet, who cleaned up at the club’s Mariners Medal dinner leading into the Finals Series – taking home four awards – including the aforementioned honour itself as the club’s most valuable player.
On the Grand Final review special of the Official Isuzu UTE A-League Podcast, host Daniel Garb and A-Leagues legend Robbie Cornthwaite sung his praises, with the latter suggesting he should be in the reckoning for a Socceroos call-up.
Listen below to the Grand Final special of the Official Isuzu UTE A-League Podcast
“There’s another player who other clubs maybe didn’t want, maybe Australian football didn’t want at one stage, you’re too short. The Mariners persist with him,” Garb said ahead of Australia’s showdown with world champions Argentina in China on June 15.
“There was a moment at the end of the game, all five foot three of Josh Nisbet bouncing off players twice his size, bursting through midfield and setting up the last goal.
“He is an ornament in the Australian game. He’s a cult hero of the league, not just Central Coast, but more than that, he is a damn fine footballer. He was so important tonight.
“We were talking up in the stands, is he in contention for the Socceroos,” Cornthwaite responded.
“On form? 100% but it always comes back to that thing: ‘oh, is he too small to play international football?’ Give him a crack!”
READ MORE OF KEEPUP’S COVERAGE
A-LEAGUES LIFE: Best of Mariners’ wild title celebrations, led by Jason Cummings
GRAND FINAL DEMOLITION: A-Leagues record broken as Mariners end 10-year drought in jaw-dropping style
MARINERS FOR ROOS? Arnie reveals A-League star already locked in for Argentina & five more on his radar
THE LAST DANCE: Jason Cummings’ epic speech after jaw dropping Grand Final heroics
ICYMI: 6 things you may have missed from Grand Final, inc. moments skipper couldn’t watch
FARRELL: ‘Inspired sub’ that changed the Grand Final in 32 seconds
Cornthwaite also believes his teammate Triantis should be considered, along with Sammy Silvera, who shone in the attacking third.
The 20-year-old centre-back has been one of the great revelations this season, forging an incredible partnership alongside Brian Kaltak in the heart of the Mariners’ defence.
In recent times, rumours have began to swirl about Triantis’ future, with reports linking him to a move to Championship side Sunderland.
While Silvera put together an amazing first season back at the Mariners, starring en route to their success on Grand Final day – Cornthwaite is wary the attacker may have a little more of an up-hill battle ahead of him to break into the Socceroos’ squad given their depth out wide.
“For me, it’s Triantis. I think centre-back is a position that’s still sort of up in the air for the Socceroos,” Cornthwaite said.
“Obviously, we got Harry Souttar, we’ve got a couple of other viable options. At 20 years of of age to come out and boss a final rumoured to be going to Sunderland as well.
“Sammy Silvera, I mean, we’ve got a lot of players in wide areas. They’ve all put their best foot forward on the biggest night of the of the season.”
Central Coast has been a breeding ground for future Socceroos in the past with the likes of Trent Sainsbury, Mat Ryan, Tom Rogic and Mile Jedinak among the players to emerge from Gosford.
Over the last 12 months, the club have had a number of players receive maiden call-ups to the Socceroos squad – including the likes of departed duo Kye Rowles and Garang Kuol, and Cummings – while Danny Vukovic went to the FIFA Men’s World Cup before his international retirement.
And in the eyes of Cornthwaite, the emergence of these talents in recent time all comes down to the guidance of one man: head coach Nick Montgomery.
“I just want to say none of these players would be able to do what they’ve been able to do Jason Cummings, Nisbet, without Nick Montgomery,” he said.
“I mean, he’s given them so much support, so much trust and build that belief that hey, you guys, you belong at this level.
“Don’t worry about what anyone else says about you. I want you here. You are the star of this show and go and do it and look what they’ve done.”
