Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna scored one of the biggest coups of the inaugural Hyundai A-League by landing Perth Glory match winner Nick Mrdja. Mrdja burst onto the Australian football season with a devastating display for the last ever NSL Champions in 2003/04, scoring 14 times despite starting only 11 matches and coming off the bench 12 times. Mrdja’s performances, which threatened the places of the Glory’s synonymous front pairing Damian Mori and Bobby Despotovski, culminated in the last ever NSL Grand Final in April 2004. After an exhaustive 98 minutes of football, it was Mrdja who scored the Glory’s golden goal, sealing his second NSL Championship in consecutive years. Following his victorious year with the Glory, Mrdja headed to Swedish giants AIK Solna, netting two goals in his brief stay. There is no doubt that Mrdja will be the Mariners primary attacking outlet, with his early season form suggesting this he is ready to claim that role with both hands.