Why Josh Nisbet thinks the Central Coast Mariners are the best ever A-League side

Star midfielder Josh Nisbet was huge in the A-League grand final and after claiming a history defining treble he says the Central Coast Mariners have had one of the best seasons in history.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Joshua Nisbet of the Central Coast Mariners heads the ball under pressure from Jordi Valadon of the Victory during the A-League Men Grand Final match between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory at Industree Group Stadium on May 25, 2024, in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

If there is a player who represents the magical story of the mighty Central

Coast Mariners more than any other, it is undoubtedly star midfielder Josh

Nisbet.

Just when the Mariners went behind to the Melbourne Victory in the A-League

Grand Final and looked like ending their fairytale journey, Nisbet took charge

of the midfield contest and drove his team on to a back to back championship

and remarkable treble of trophies for the season.

It was a performance that summed up why he was crowned the Johnny

Warren Medallist for season 2023/24 as the best player in the competition and

Nisbet is now adamant his side has claims for the greatest A-League team ever.

“You can always argue who is the best ever team, but we can always argue

that we’re the most successful team in a season in the A-League. That’s factual

and something we’ll all take to the grave,” Nisbet said

Two years ago, Nisbet was just another player in the A-League. Talented but

far from notable.

From the start of last season that changed dramatically as Nisbet emerged as

one of the best midfielders in Australia.

Josh Nisbet was great in the grand final. Picture: Getty Images

Much like his club, he has taken that rating to a new level this season to

become a fully fledged Socceroo, two time champion and now a Johnny Warren

Medallist.

“It’s hard work but also enjoyment. When I first came in, I was nervous and

just wanted to make sure I survived in the league. As you play more games and

feel more confident you start to have a lot of fun, at training especially,” he

said.

If not for Ryan Edmonson’s second goal to seal the championship triumph,

Nisbet would likely have had a Joe Marston Medal for best player in the Grand

Final to join his now glittering array of trophies.

Edmonson’s honour was deserved and after his equaliser was set up in sublime

fashion by Nisbet his praise was effusive for his diminutive teammate.

The Central Coast Mariners clinched the treble on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s a special, special player. He works his hardest every day. He wants to be

the best in everything he does. It shows out on the pitch, he’s absolutely

everywhere. I’ve never seen someone so small, cover so much ground, it’s

mental,” Edmonson said.

Like so many before him though in the A-League and at the Mariner’s, Nisbet’s

exploits may mean the Mariners Grand Final triumph will be his last game in

yellow and blue as he looks at opportunities abroad.

He is adamant however that it will only be to a league and club that will

guarantee him game time or else ‘there’s no point’.

According to Edmondson though, the A-League deserves far more credit than it

gets for the standard of football on show and the special scenes.

“Doing what we’ve done is pretty incredible and the scenes out there will stick

with me forever,” Edmondson said.

“It’s the biggest surprise that I’ve had in football. I think we’d smash League

Two (in England). If we took our team over to League One or the Championship

we’d give teams a good go I guarantee you that. This time gets glossed over a

lot as being Farmers football and it’s far from it. There’s so much talent over

here,” Edmondson added.

Originally published as Why Josh Nisbet thinks the Central Coast Mariners are the best ever A-League side