Experienced Central Coast defender Storm Roux hails treble-chasing Mariners

The Central Coast Mariners are determined not to blow their chance of completing a remarkable treble.

Storm Roux (left) and the Mariners are on track for a treble. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Central Coast defender Storm Roux says this season’s Mariners deserve to be regarded among the “greatest A-League teams of all-time” regardless of whether they complete the treble by successfully defending their championship.

Having already won the A-League premiership and the AFC Cup, the Mariners continue to defy the odds and are just a game away from a second successive A-League grand final appearance.

Up 2-1 after the semi-final first leg win over Sydney FC, Central Coast only need a draw in Saturday night’s second leg in Gosford to not only qualify for the following weekend’s decider but host it at Industree Group Stadium.

Roux, who has made 245 appearances for three clubs in an A-League career dating back to 2013, said the Mariners’ achievements this season were already undeniable.

“It’s got to be up there,” the 31-year-old New Zealand international said.

“Not only have we won the AFC Cup, won the premiership, we’re doing it at the same time.

“I don’t think anyone really understands how hard it is with the travel, backing up for games, getting results and playing under pressure.

“We’ve got to be up there with one of the greatest A-League teams of all-time.”

Storm Roux (centre) holds aloft the A-League Premier’s Plate as the Mariners celebrate. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Roux said the Mariners were “full of confidence” ahead of Saturday night’s battle with the Sky Blues.

“If you had told us at the start of the season we’d be in this position (of having won two trophies and aiming for a third), we wouldn’t have believed you, but we kept the confidence going throughout the season, and the belief, and we deserve to be where we are,” he said.

“We’re confident in ourselves that we’re the best team in the league. We need to prove that now with a grand final win.”

The Sky Blues, who had already lost talisman Joe Lolley for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury before last Friday’s loss, will also be without star defender Jack Rodwell and midfielder Corey Hollman for the second-leg after both were sent off in first-leg.

Rodwell won’t play again this season after copping a two-game ban, while Hollman will be available for the grand final if Sydney get that far.

“I think they were both red cards, so I don’t think you can complain too much,” Roux said.

“I don’t think we got under their skin, I just think we stuck to our game plan and (that’s) what happened.

“We probably should’ve pushed on a bit more to try and get a few more goals with the two-man advantage but that didn’t happen.

“We just have to get the job done at home.”

Originally published as Experienced Central Coast defender Storm Roux hails treble-chasing Mariners