Injury and illness conspired to leave the youngster sidelined for almost two years at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium but the defender has everything crossed that the dark times are firmly behind him.

Glandular fever and endless time on the treatment table is hardly a cocktail designed to win favour with the manager but the 20-year-old has nothing but praise for Mariners’ coach, Lawrie McKinna.

Boogaard is grateful to all those who stuck by him and now it’s payback time. And the former Australian under 17 international has wasted no time in starting the ‘thank you’ process.

With Tony Vidmar ruled out with flu, Boogaard was handed a starting slot for the Mariners’ Pre-Season Cup clash with Queensland Roar at the weekend.

The competition so far has been kind to Mariners players looking to break their own scoring duck and Boogaard is the latest to join the defenders' scoring club.

Just as Alex Wilkinson struck early for Central Coast in last week’s win over Wellington, Boogaard also wasted little time in getting on the scoresheet.

Just six minutes were on the clock when the youngster rose to meet a Dean Heffernan free-kick at the far post and nod the ball past Roar 'keeper, Liam Reddy.

It helped secure a 1-1 draw against Frank Farina’s side and Boogaard, who was picked out for post-match praise by McKinna, is very happy with life.

He said: “To start the game against Queensland was a real boost and then to score just topped it really.”

The match formed part of the pre-season build up to the third season of the A-League - but then Boogaard’s ‘pre-season’ has been longer than most.

He said: “I think my pre-season has lasted two years and I just want to get out there and play. In the middle of last year I was wondering whether this (situation) was ever going to end?”

But even in his darkest hour, the club’s coaching staff never lost faith and Boogaard feels it is high time he started to reward their patience.

He said: “I really want to show why they decided I should be kept around.

"They were great, the support I had from my family was great and when I had my time at the Central Coast Lightning (in the New South Wales Winter Super League), there were fans there telling me that I’d be back.

“That was all great to hear and now it’s time that I start to reward their patience and support.”

Still, Boogaard is not counting on one impressive start to cement him a place in the side. He knows he must build on it.

He said: “With Tony (Vidmar) and Alex (Wilkinson), there is real competition for places in the squad. Still, getting a start against Queensland hopefully gave me a chance to push for a position.”

Domestic success with the Mariners is the immediate priority but then there is also the question of picking up the pieces on the international front.

He said: “I was looking towards the Olympics when the problems started but now you just have to pick yourself up and push on.”

Boogaard and company’s next chance to impress comes on Sunday when they take on Sydney FC in the Pre-Season Cup at Canberra Stadium. The game kicks off at 3pm.