Oct 6, 2026 · 6 min · 7 segments
At the A-Leagues Season Launch Day, Poletti spoke to Danika Matos from the Central Coast Mariners to discuss Dean Heffernan, the expectations for the upcoming season with the Mariners, her decision to…
Danika MatosGuestPolettiHostWhat made you want to sign with the Mariners?
Yeah, joining the Central Coast Mariners after a long stint at Wanderers was a really big decision for me, but I'm super excited to be here.
I think what they've done as a club, Matteo and all his staff under him has been really successful and I'm looking forward forward to working with the new coaching staff.
The girls have been amazing and I've only heard good things about the club, so I'm super excited.
We'll touch on that.
Dean Heffernan gets announced as coach, a decision that took a lot of people, myself included.
by surprise.
You said you, you know, you worked with him previously at the Wanderers.
He was the only coach in the history of the Western Sydney Wanderers women's team to get them to the final series.
Was that an influence with signing in the club when you realised Dean was going to be the coach? Did you sign before Dean was put in place? How did that work?
As soon as I heard the rumour that Dean was the coach, I kind of said something to my agent and he, you know, within the hour told me, yeah, it's confirmed.
And then I reckon 30 minutes later, Dean himself actually called me and said, I've seen that you're available.
So I think he speaks for himself that he's a great coach and a great person and he brings in the right people for his team.
You've worked with him previously.
What is he like as a coach?
What made you want to sign with the Mariners?
Yeah, joining the Central Coast Mariners after a long stint at Wanderers was a really big decision for me, but I'm super excited to be here.
I think what they've done as a club, Matteo and all his staff under him has been really successful and I'm looking forward forward to working with the new coaching staff.
The girls have been amazing and I've only heard good things about the club, so I'm super excited.
We'll touch on that.
Dean Heffernan gets announced as coach, a decision that took a lot of people, myself included.
by surprise.
You said you, you know, you worked with him previously at the Wanderers.
He was the only coach in the history of the Western Sydney Wanderers women's team to get them to the final series.
Was that an influence with signing in the club when you realised Dean was going to be the coach? Did you sign before Dean was put in place? How did that work?
As soon as I heard the rumour that Dean was the coach, I kind of said something to my agent and he, you know, within the hour told me, yeah, it's confirmed.
And then I reckon 30 minutes later, Dean himself actually called me and said, I've seen that you're available.
So I think he speaks for himself that he's a great coach and a great person and he brings in the right people for his team.
You've worked with him previously.
What is he like as a coach?
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