Hutchinson happy to slip under radar

Premiers' Plate winner last campaign and a grand finalist in the two seasons prior, the Gosford side is unlikely to catch anyone by surprise in 2012-2013.

And while it has lofty ambitions again, Hutchinson said the Mariners were feeling no weight of expectation as big news stories such as Sydney FC's capture of former Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero kept them right out of the spotlight.

"It's a weird one up here, every year we kind of just slip in under the radar and come into the season where no one really puts pressure on us to do anything," Hutchinson said.

"It's all on the opposition teams, the so-called bigger clubs, with their new signings ... so it's the same for us every year.

"I've been here for eight years and it's pretty much the same build-up every time.

"It's great because we can just focus on our own job and we know what we have to do."

While Graham Arnold's side has again maintained stability, it must overcome the key losses of captain and central defender Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Motors) and midfield young gun Mustafa Amini (Borussia Dortmund).

And Hutchinson said the onus would be on young defenders Trent Sainsbury, Zach Anderson and Brent Griffiths to step up in Wilkinson's absence.

"It's their time to shine," said Hutchinson, only one of two foundation players remaining at the club along with Adam Kwasnik.

"Salisbury has been under Wilko for a couple of years and with Patrick (Zwaanswijk) they've helped develop him into a good player.

"It's up to him now if he wants to take that spot."

The Mariners have recruited former Australia striker Mile Sterjovski and former Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery and Hutchinson is upbeat about their prospects.

The reliable 32-year-old midfielder is in the final year of his contract but is hoping to remain with club beyond that.

Central Coast suffered a 2-0 trial defeat to Adelaide United on Wednesday and will have its final pre-season hit-out against Melbourne Victory on Saturday ahead of its A-League opener against Western Sydney Wanderers on 6 October.