“I’ll return to training as soon as possible and with the help of the club and my team-mates I’m determined to do all that I can to push my case for a starting berth against the Wellington Phoenix,” said Bosnich in a recent interview.

Although initial diagnosis speculated that Bosnich’s hamstring was ruptured, scans have shown that he’s only suffered a strain and will be probable for selection against the Phoenix. Thank goodness — we need all we can get against the mighty force of New Zealand.

Sarcasm aside, Sebastian Hasset’s article in the SMH last week rings particularly true at a time like this. The table is closer than ever and we have an incredibly important match against 3rd place Adelaide coming up. A win and we’re in, or at least close to, a top-two position; a loss and we can say goodbye to not only our rank, but our confidence too — such to the extent that we might well get Shebangabanged just like Sydney.

In other news, Alex Tobin has been appointed the new Assistant Coach for the Mariners after the departure of Ian Ferguson. It will be interesting how he adapts to his new role and in all likelihood we’ll see a continuation of the club’s reputation as having the best training/youth program in Australia.

Tonight’s Mariners vs. Glory fixture wasn’t touted as a curtain-raiser, but it certainly raised worries for Lawrie McKinna despite a 4-1 win.

It all started with a tragic injury to superstar goalkeeper Mark Bosnich. I think everyone in Bluetongue stadium grimaced with collective sympathy as Bosnich collapsed after taking a goal kick – rupturing his left hamstring.

To make things worse, preliminary sources claim that Bosnich’s A-league career is over. What’s more, his entire career in football may be over with not only injury, but age and a lack of contract stacking up against him. At least now we might be seeing him on television sooner rather than later.

Redmayne served as his replacement, but had to come on encumbered with fatigue after playing in the A-league’s first Youth League match. Credit to the lad, though. He looked calm and collected between the sticks, especially having to follow an act like the great Bosnich.

But it wasn’t all peaches and sunshine for the debut youngster. In the 70th minute Redmayne suddenly collapsed on the ground after making a simple save and, just like Bosnich, clutched his leg in pain. Out came the physio, out came the Gaffa, out came the coke in my mouth; you can’t make up this stuff.

Thank goodness he was ok. I’m not sure the Mariners could’ve held up without a proper keeper after seeing Perth’s late surge. Nonetheless, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one with a perverse desire to see Boogaard between the posts…

In any case, if someone has been breaking mirrors, seeing black cats or somehow misusing the number 13 down at Mariners HQ, please let us know. We’d love an explanation for some of this craziness.