Central Coast Mariners striker Nik Mrdja is hoping to cap off his promising pre-season with a goal against Belconnen United at the Belconnen Soccer Centre this Saturday, as the Mariners preparations for the 2007 Pre-Season Cup gather momentum.

Mrdja is one of three Mariners players with experience in the nation’s capital previously, along with Damien Brown and Andrew Clark, who each played for now-defunct club the Canberra Cosmos throughout their respective National Soccer League (NSL) careers.

Clark was the most prolific over two seasons – scoring five goals in twenty appearances for the Cosmos.

Brown contributed 16 NSL appearances and one goal when in Canberra, while Mrdja made just three appearances in Cosmos colours during the 1998/99 NSL season.

Interestingly, two of Clark’s goals for the Cosmos were scored at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium against the Northern Spirit on 22 April, 2000 in what was the first ever top-flight football meeting on the Central Coast.

Mrdja, a virtual spectator throughout the Mariners’ opening two Hyundai A-League seasons, is nearing peak fitness ahead of the Central Coast’s third season, and along with newly recruited strike partner Sasho Petrovski, looms likely to lead the Mariners’ frontline against Belconnen.

"It’s good to get a full pre-season of training under my belt, but it’s not actually fully finished yet," said Mrdja.

"We’ve taken off slowly, built up it up to a level and I’m getting through it and felling good – I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing some games and getting some goals under my belt."

Mrdja’s appearances in yellow and navy have been limited to just six Hyundai A-League starts from a possible 46, due to a series of unfortunate injury concerns.

Prior to suffering an ultimately season-ending knee injury on the eve of the inaugural Hyundai A-League campaign, Mrdja had displayed his undoubted potential to the tune of six goals from eight matches in pre-season competition.

Mrdja did add a Hyundai A-League strike to his tally in 2006/07 – blasting home a free kick from considerable distance against the New Zealand Knights at North Harbour Stadium in Round 13.

Having netted once in pre-season already, against feeder club the Central Coast Lightning in April’s Challenge Cup at Pluim Park, Mrdja will be looking to add further strikes to his tally against Belconnen United on Saturday.

"He’s slowly getting fitter and fitter, he’s not seen a lot of action the past two years and although the Canberra fans will be wanting to see him, I’m wanting to see him too," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.

"He’s been very unfortunate but he’s looking very strong, he and Sasho are looking good together and as the weeks go on he’s getting better and better."

The Mariners are in action this Saturday, 30 June, when they take on ACT Premier League side Belconnen United at the Belconnen Soccer Centre. Kick off is at 5.30pm.

Following the Mariners’ sojourn to the nation’s capital, Lawrie McKinna’s charges will advance their preparations for season three of the Hyundai A-League, with the Central Coast’s opening Pre-Season Cup match against the Wellington Phoenix taking place at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium on Saturday, 14 July. Kick off is at 6pm.

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.