Duke returns to Wanderland after three-week battle with parent club It was a genuine conversation. I assumed they were going to take my word seriously and give me a chance as a striker, but instead they turned it against me.
12 games into his stint at Saudi Professional League side Al-Taawoun, Duke knew he was in need of a change of scenery.
Living away from family and friends and playing on the wing for the Saudi side - as opposed to his preferred position as a number nine - Duke approached the club to ask for his chance spearheading the attack.
Central Coast are setting themselves up as the A-League's comeback kings after chalking up a second successive 3-2 win-from-behind with a 3-2 victory over Western United in Gosford.
Matthew Comito 1612350485,1612354000
Central Coast Mariners talisman Matt Simon celebrated his 200th A-League game against Melbourne City on Wednesday night in the best way possible: with a goal, assist and three points wrapped up in front of a buzzing Mariners crowd and his adoring family.
The 35-year-old scored the second of the Mariners three goals as they surged from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at Central Coast Stadium, displaying the relentless positivity, aggression and team-oriented expected from the rejuvenated Gosford side.
The entertaining display put Simon s best attributes on show as he assisted Jaden Casella s first ever A-League goal, winning and converting a penalty and performing in a fearsome double-pronged attack alongside 19-year-old Alou Kuol as the Mariners wrestled the ascendancy in the second half.
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With league demographics shifting this season due to the effects of the reduced broadcast deal with Fox Sports and challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, A-League clubs have increasingly been turning to young players in 2020/21.
Though caveats must be observed surrounding extended benches for Australian U23 players and an increase in available substitutes to five, the average age of squads so far this season sits at 26.1 - one of the lowest figures ever - and the likes of James Delianov, Lachlan Rose, Alou Kuol, Connor Metcalfe, Ramy Najjarine and more have all shone.
Now, SBS The World Game understands that when Perth Glory takes the field against Adelaide United at HBF Park on Wednesday night, Josh Rawlins appears set to get his chance to add his name to those exciting ranks; emerging as the club s front-runner to replace the departed Ivan Franjic on the right side of the Glory defence.
Central Coast has scored back-to-back wins in a season for the first time in more than three years, putting a dampener on Macarthur FC's inaugural home A-League match at Campbelltown Stadium.