Fears pitch will hold up at Central Coast Stadium in bumper weekend of NRL, A-League action
TOM Jenkin is putting in the hard yards to ensure Central Coast Stadium remains in top condition throughout this weekend’s National Rugby League and A-League action.
Mr Jenkin, who has been head groundsman at the stadium for about a year, is confident the groundwork has been laid to ensure the playing surface passes its toughest test under his watch.
There will be two curtain-raiser matches before an NRL trial between Manly and the Roosters on Saturday evening, followed by the A-League clash between the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory on Sunday evening.
The Mariners will be out to keep their winning run going against Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Roosters star Mitchell Pearce will be in action on Saturday in the NRL trial game.
Mr Jenkin has read the social media chatter from football supporters concerned about how the surface will come up, as the Mariners chase their fourth consecutive A-League win on Sunday, but he is adamant there is nothing to worry about.
“I read it all on Facebook and they’ve got their concerns but I see it every day and I don’t have any concerns at all,” Mr Jenkin said.
“There will be divots from the rugby league but they will be plugged out, and if they’re that bad, they’ll be replaced.”
He will lead a team of five who will get to work on the ground from about 15 minutes after the final siren in Saturday’s NRL clash.
Head groundsman Tom Jenkin puts the polish on the pitch at Central Coast Stadium yesterday. Picture: Mark Scott
“We will green out the NRL lines, take the posts down and spend the next few hours on the pitch; rolling it and it’ll get cut, so any loose turf will be taken off,” he said. “Then on Sunday it’ll get a double-cut and will be re-marked after we cut it.”
Central Coast Council administrator Ian Reynolds said the council was lucky to have such a professional team.
ROY WEIGHS UP FUTURE
IRISH striker Roy O’Donovan isn’t sure whether he will remain on the Central Coast next season.
The 31-year-old, who notched his ninth and 10th goals of the campaign in the 2-0 win over Western Sydney, says discussions have begun between himself and the club to extend his stay, but no offer has been tabled.
Hands up if you want a new contract ... Roy O’Donovan is keen to stay with the Mariners after this season. Picture: Getty Images
It’s been reported that Newcastle are interested in O’Donovan, while Brisbane Roar and the Wanderers are keeping their ears to the ground.
If the former Sunderland attacker was to depart, he would leave a gaping hole in the roster with Josh Bingham and Blake Powell the only logical replacements currently under contract.
The answer is simple for O’Donovan though — he wants to play at a club where the vision and strength of the squad matches his own expectations.
“The Mariners have spoken to me — I had a brief conversation with Shaun (Mielekamp) and Paulo and they want me to stay but that conversation hasn’t pushed any further yet,” he said.
“We’ll see — it depends on the players who are coming in and how badly the club wants to build something with me as a part of it. I’d like to know who’s going to be creating the goals, who will be stopping them, and who’s going to be in the dressing room next year.
“The last three or four years there’s been a lot of money wasted here and they can’t afford to do that again.”
O’Donovan does recognise, however, that the Mariners are building towards something big under Paul Okon, and he still owes them after the “debacle” of last season. “We’re on the cusp of something good,” he said.
“In the past few years the club has made many mistakes on and off the field but they’ve got a few things right now.
“We’ve got some young players with experience that are kicking on and need to be looked after, a good manager with a good style of football and identity.
“It’s important now that the personnel is right because there is no point taking two steps forward and then three steps back next season.”
The immediate focus for both club and player is on Melbourne Victory for now, who are coming off a dour 0-0 draw with Newcastle in the Hunter.
O’Donovan isn’t worried about a fired-up Victory though — he’s confident the resurgent Mariners can cope with Kevin Muscat’s men.
“No fear at all. They’re a good side but we have to concentrate on us,” he said.
“If we continue to play the way we did in the second half last week then we’ll always be OK. We’re confident we’ll give Victory a good game even without Monty.”
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