Kwasnik ready to strike

Inform Central Coast striker Adam Kwasnik hopes red-hot trial form translates into Hyundai A-League consistency when the Mariners take on competition newcomers Melbourne Heart in Round 1 next Thursday night.

Inform Central Coast striker Adam Kwasnik hopes red-hot trial form translates into Hyundai A-League consistency when the Mariners take on competition newcomers Melbourne Heart in Round 1 next Thursday night.

After a stop-start campaign last season Kwasnik is keen to hit the ground running under new Mariners boss Graham Arnold.

If trial form is any indication Kwasnik is set for a bumper season.

Kwasnik is the club’s leading scorer in the pre-season with eight goals, including the final strike in a 3-0 victory against a Tasmanian selection in Hobart on Tuesday night.

The goals have come at the perfect time with plenty of pressure for spots up front for the Heart match.

Also battling for spots in attack for the season opener in Melbourne are strikers Matt Simon, Nik Mrdja and recruit Daniel McBreen.

While Kwasnik has been impressive, his three rivals for a starting berth have also performed well.

“There’s certainly a lot of competition for spots which is how it should be,” Kwasnik said.

“I’m happy to have scored a few goals.”

“The challenge for me is to make sure I keep working hard.”

The Mariners will come face to face with two familiar faces against the Heart.

Former Mariners crowd favourite Dean Heffernan is one of the Heart’s key signings.

Also tipped to play against the Mariners is defender Michael Beauchamp, who burst on to the scene during the first season of the Hyundai A-League when the Mariners went all the way to the grand final before losing to Sydney FC.