Central Coast Mariners Suffer Major Injury Setbacks

Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson has confirmed that rising star Miguel Di Pizio will miss the rest of the year after undergoing knee surgery, while midfielder Brad Tapp’s recovery timeline remains unclear pending further scans.

Di Pizio, a key figure in the Mariners’ championship-winning squad last season, was poised for increased responsibility on the field. However, a pre-season knee injury requiring meniscus surgery has now ruled the 18-year-old out until early 2025. Speaking about Di Pizio’s recovery timeline, Jackson expressed both disappointment and optimism, highlighting the physical demands on the squad.

“It will be the New Year for Miggsy [Di Pizio],” Jackson said, addressing the setback. “We’ve been very, very unfortunate. The physicality of the team has been excellent, but some injuries are just unavoidable. Knee twists, innocuous challenges—they’re hard to predict and manage. These things happen in football, but overall, I’m happy with the team’s progress. We’re getting stronger in every area.”

The young forward’s achievements during the 2023-24 season cemented him as a fan favorite. Di Pizio made 32 appearances and scored four goals, including a decisive strike in the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final against Melbourne Victory, securing his place in league history as the youngest-ever Grand Final scorer. Di Pizio also played a vital role in Central Coast’s historic AFC Cup campaign, scoring three critical goals, including two against FC Abdysh-Ata Kant that propelled the team into the final.

Meanwhile, the Mariners are bracing for potentially more bad news. During a recent goalless match against Perth Glory, Brad Tapp sustained a knee injury and had to be substituted. Initially deployed as a central defender this season, Tapp’s form has been a revelation, with Jackson noting his impressive performance since being shifted into the backline.

“We’re waiting on the scan results, but losing Tappy is disappointing,” Jackson commented following the Mariners’ recent draw with Shanghai Shenhua in the ACL Elite. “His maturity in dealing with the situation is remarkable. He’s been stellar in that centre-back role, thriving in a back-three formation. Whatever the recovery period, I know he’ll come back stronger.”

Despite concerns over a possible Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, Jackson and the Mariners’ medical team remain hopeful. “There’s always that fear with an ACL injury, especially when there’s swelling. But we’ll have to wait for the specialist’s opinion to confirm anything.”

The Central Coast Mariners will look to regroup and focus on their upcoming Round Four clash against Wellington Phoenix, where they hope to carry forward the momentum despite recent injury challenges.