A rigorous trial period at the Central Coast Mariners saw more than 50 NPL hopefuls try out for a contract but Millar was a standout, the club said today.

Millar made four appearances in the A-League for Melbourne City but most recently played for  South Melbourne.

Millar opened his Mariners’ account on Tuesday night with a goal in the club’s pre-season 6-0 win over Adamstown Rosebud.

“Any young kid who plays football dreams of this moment – it’s an exciting time and hopefully it’s just the start,” Millar said.

“Mike Mulvey has been great, he has given plenty of NPL players the opportunity to trial – I’ve been here for a few months now and I’m really motivated to reward him with my performances.

“One thing Mulvey expects from this team is hard work and you get a real sense of that on the training track this pre-season.

“This is a really family oriented club and the boys have welcomed me in with open arms. It’s been an easy place to settle in, we all want to build a strong community spirit around the club and can’t wait for the season to start.”

Millar is just one of the many NPL players who have trialled with the Mariners during pre-season and Mulvey praised Millar for his work ethic during the trial process.

“During the pre-season, we have looked at dozens of players from the NPL around Australia,” Mulvey said. “Matt was recommended from South Melbourne and from the day he came in you could sense the determination to make this time count.

“The adaptation to full time training where the intensity is a little higher is difficult against players who have done this for a living for a while. Matt has coped with this and we are happy that he has agreed to join us.

“Now the rest is up to him.”

Central Coast Mariners Squad
Goalkeepers: Joe GAUCI, Ben KENNEDY, Adam PEARCE
Defenders: Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, Kalifa CISSE, Jack CLISBY, Antony GOLEC, Jake McGING, Matthew MILLAR, Kye ROWLES
Midfielders: Adam BERRY, Tom HIARIEJ, Michael McGLINCHEY, Jacob MELLING, Aiden O’NEILL, Mario SHABOW
Attackers: Andrew HOOLE, Corey GAMEIRO, Peter KEKERIS, Connor PAIN, Josh MACDONALD, Jordan MURRAY, Matt SIMON