Central Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon wants F3 derbies scheduled in prime time

Sydney bounce back to winning form

Central Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon has urged Football Federation Australia and Fox Sports to consider future F3 derbies for prime time Saturday night slots to kick-start the rivalry.

The competition's two regional teams are desperately trying to reignite the passion of the A-League's oldest derby and haven't played each other in the most attractive time slot for fans since March 2014. The F3 derby has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of the Melbourne and Sydney derbies in the A-League, but Okon says the tension still exists within the dressing rooms, having played for Newcastle in the second season of the A-League before joining Mariners as their coach this season.

He believes for that to filter into the stands and further into their communities, they need a push from broadcasters and the FFA to help re-create it as a strong regional rivalry.

"It will be great in the future if this derby could get a Saturday night, 7.30pm kick-off," Okon said. "That would also help to grow the derby again. Sunday afternoon 5pm kick-off, I don't think that breeds or aids the importance of the derby. I think everyone is happy that the derby now is something to play for.

Local rivals: Newcastle's Mark Jones and Central Coast's Paul Okon prepare for battle in the derby.
Local rivals: Newcastle's Mark Jones and Central Coast's Paul Okon prepare for battle in the derby. Photo: Marina Neil
"I think that's what everyone wants to get back to, those derbies at the birth of the A-League, so I think we're heading in the right direction."

The Mariners have no shortage of passion heading into Sunday's match against Newcastle, a fixture in which they've had a player sent off before half-time in their last three meetings. As the Mariners are preparing to claim their first win over their rivals in seven meetings, they know controlling their temperament and discipline will be just as important as their performance.

"I guess in derby games there's always going to be some tension and the blood is going and people are maybe going to make tackles they shouldn't make," Okon said.

As a player, Okon received one of his two red cards in an F3 derby after he was sent off for a poorly time challenge in the second season of the A-League. While that had more to do with the timing of his tackle, rather than a rush of blood to the head, the Mariners coach knows the importance this fixture has in the community.

"Everyone is looking forward to this," he said. "Many supporters said to me you can lose any game in the season, but make sure you win the derby. I think we do feel it. For the players it's a game that we want to win and I think everyone realises there is a little bit more in it in regards to our supporters. Nobody wants to let them down and with good support, I'm sure we can get three points."

The Mariners are no closer to knowing yet whether star striker Roy O'Donovan will accept a contract offer submitted to his agent.

"All I know is that the club has spoken to his agent and discussions have taken place and an offer's been made," Okon said.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/central-coast-mariners/central-coast-mariners-coach-paul-okon-wants-f3-derbies-scheduled-in-prime-time-20170225-gul8nx.html

It's just not a fixture people are interested in.

Which means neither is Foxtel.

I would rather see FFA/Foxtel promote the shit out of the F3 Derby and give it a decent timeslot before so much of the other shit they do. 

Okon says the tension still exists within the dressing rooms

should be simple enough to convert dressing room tension into TV ratings

Both these teams are not as bad as Wellington who own the shittest time slots consistently but they are lower table teams with average squads, they won't get prime time.  

The F3D was one of the best fixtures in the A-League from inception up until about 2010, when the Jets became mediocre at best and crap at worst and it became fairly one-sided.

In the past couple of seasons, it's resembled Randy Marsh fighting Bat Dad in that ep of South Park more than anything, but considering more recent form of both teams, the "good old days" might be coming back- and hopefully the scheduling will reflect that.

The F3 Derbies of the early seasons were absolutely exceptional. Brilliant atmosphere, real feeling and some great games. Ever since Griff retired it went downhill, along with all civilization 

Legends F3 derby announced

The squads will be made up of former greats from Central Coast Mariners & Newcastle Jets as well as potential representation of players from the National Soccer League (NSL) era.

Whilst the ‘Legends’ squads for both the Central Coast and Newcastle are yet to be finalised, Hyundai A-League Championship winning players Patrick Zwaanswijk (Central Coast) and Matthew Thompson (Newcastle) will represent the respective teams.

The inaugural ‘Legends Challenge’, supporting Men of Football, will kick-off at 3:30pm and feature two 15 minute halves in a 7-v-7 half-pitch format.

The game will take place shortly before the commencement of the final F3 Derby of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 regular season, which starts at 5:00pm.

The participating players will also form a guard of honour for the current F3 Derby combatants as they take to the pitch in Gosford for the round 26 encounter.

It is envisaged that the ‘Legends Challenge’ will be held annually, with the location of the match rotating between Central Coast Stadium in Gosford and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

The Chief Executive Officers of both Clubs Shaun Mielekamp and Lawrie McKinna agree that the ‘Legends Challenge’ has the potential to add to the fabric and folklore of the #F3Derby.

Mielekamp was quick to fire the first shot ahead of the inaugural ‘Legends Challenge’.

“So I asked Lawrie if he would coach his old players but I must admit the response was quite awkward,” Mielekamp said.

“This is a really good concept and one that will stand the test of time to build on the fierce rivalry that exists between the two clubs.

“I know Lawrie really wants to coach the Mariners in this but then when the request came back for Paolo [Paul Okon] to be the captain of the Jets Legends I knew that the spice and rivalry for this match will be as engaging as the A-League proper.”

McKinna said that recognising the history of such an iconic rivalry is crucial to growing the #F3Derby.

“It is important that we continually look to build the history and culture associated with the #F3Derby and the rivalry that generally exists between the regions,” McKinna said.

“This is just one way that we can continue to engage players and people that have made a remarkable contribution to football, while also educating others about their achievements.”

Further highlighting the significance of the inaugural ‘Legends Challenge’, FOX SPORTS Australia has agreed to throw their support behind the joint Club initiative by featuring highlights of the match in their F3 Derby pre-game show.

The winning Club in the ‘Legends Challenge’ will also be presented with a perpetual trophy.

Men of Football is a not for profit organisation that seeks to assist football participants in times of need. Men of Football focus on initiatives such as assisting past football participants who may have fallen on hard times; providing support and assistance to the families of past and present football participants who have passed on or need their support; and assisting current football participants to realise their potential.

‘Legends Challenge’ - Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Round 26

Central Coast Mariners Legends vs. Newcastle Jets Legends

followed by Central Coast Mariners vs. Newcastle Jets (#F3Derby)

Date: Sunday 9 April 2017

Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

Kick-off: 3:30pm

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Gates Open: 3:00pm

Social Media: #F3Derby

http://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/mariners-jets-to-play-legends-challenge-452601

@capt haddock.

I think the cripple fight episode would be more appropriate resemblance.

Yeah but Randy and Bat Dad are two drunken bogans punching on...


....So it suits the F3D perfectly.

Saturday night games are for the top performing teams and matches between big clubs. 

Gosford and Newcastle are neither. Maybe if there was a relegation threat as well it might be worth watching two shit teams with no fans slogging it out.

For the areas they command i think their support over the years has held up quite well. They are basically in Rugby League towns.The Jets have a far better support than MCFC, with CCM not far behind them.

Okon should stick to knitting.

Wouldn't be totally against this if it was scheduled on a weekend with no major derbies or games worth noting but then again the AL fixturing is mind boggling with how it's handled.

Realistically both sides probably have a better chance of hosting Sydney FC or WSW on a prime time Saturday night fixture at 7.30 ko rather than an F3 derby.

It's funny that people hammer clubs like the Jets and Mariners for their crowd numbers and tv ratings when they consistently play during the least wanted days and time slots, but when one of the bigger clubs play during these slots and their crowds and ratings suffer they blame the fixture.

There are enough rounds with ordinary Saturday night fixtures that this could easily be played as the main game.