Round 9 of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season wraps up with a Monday-night clash between Macarthur Bulls and Central Coast Mariners as the under-pressure Champions travel to Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Mariners dropped to ninth after Round 8 following a bruising 4-0 home loss to Adelaide United last time out. Mark Jackson’s side had a horrific start to the 2023-24 season before roaring back into form and it seemed as though the Mariners were showing signs of doing the same this season with consecutive wins leading into Round 8 but Adelaide’s crushing win in Gosford halted their momentum.
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Central Coast have just nine points on the board after seven games but could jump Macarthur into the top six with a win on Monday night. The Bulls occupy sixth spot after starting the weekend in fifth; Western United jumped ahead of Mile Sterjovski’s side with a statement win over Auckland FC in Round 9, but victory over the Mariners would send Macarthur back above Western and level with Melbourne City (fourth) on 14 points.
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The final game of Round 9 presents the opportunity to 20-year-old Macarthur forward Bernardo to make his long-awaited return from an achilles injury that has sidelined him since March. Bernardo was named on the bench for Macarthur’s win over Wellington in Round 8 but did not make it onto the field.
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Team news: Macarthur Bulls v Central Coast Mariners
Macarthur Bulls squad: 5. Matthew JURMAN, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Daniel DE SILVA, 8. Jake HOLLMAN, 11. Jed DREW, 12. Filip KURTO, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Dino ARSLANAGIC, 16. Oliver JONES, 18. Walter SCOTT, 19. Ariath PIOL, 20. Kealey ADAMSON, 21. BERNARDO, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Frans DELI, 24. Dean BOSNJAK, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 30. Alexander ROBINSON, 44. Marin JAKOLIS, 98. Valere GERMAIN
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 15. Dino ARSLANAGIC (promoted), 23. Frans DELI (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9. Chris IKONOMIDIS (Injured)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Adam PAVLESIC, 3. Brian KALTAK, 5. Noah SMITH, 7. Christian THEOHAROUS, 8. Alfie MCCALMONT, 9. Alou KUOL, 10. Mikael DOKA, 11. Vitor FEIJAO, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Harry STEELE, 17. Sabit NGOR, 24. Diesel HERRINGTON, 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 28. Will WILSON, 33. Nathan PAULL, 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 36. Haine EAMES, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN, 40. Dylan PERAIC-CULLEN
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN
Outs: 44. Lucas SCICLUNA
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