Group stage The Mariners were put in Group A, along with
Adelaide United (3rd in
2005-06 A-League season),
Perth Glory (5th) and
Melbourne Victory (7th). They had two home games in the three-game round-robin series, with one played at
Wade Park,
Orange, New South Wales, against Adelaide United, and the other at their traditional home,
Central Coast Stadium. Central Coast started their defence of the Pre-Season Cup well, defeating
Perth Glory - the team they defeated in the
2005 Pre-Season Cup final - 2–1 at
Central Coast Stadium,
Gosford in front of 5,682 spectators. Both Central Coast strikers,
Stewart Petrie and
Adam Kwasnik, scored early goals. They followed this up with a gritty nil-all draw at
Wade Park against last year's minor premiers,
Adelaide United. Coach McKinna said after the game he was, "quite contented with the result". For their final Group A game, they travelled to Melbourne's
Olympic Park, where they downed the
Melbourne Victory 3–1, with
Adam Kwasnik,
Paul O'Grady and
Noel Spencer all scoring for the Mariners. Central Coast played their "bonus" fourth group-crossover round against the
Queensland Roar. The "bonus" round awarded "bonus points" based on goals scored (one point for two goals, two points for three goals and three points for four or more goals). On this occasion, the Mariners and Roar drew 0–0, and both earned the conventional one point for a draw.
Finals Finishing on top of Group A, with
Adelaide United relegated to second on goal differential, the Mariners took on the
Newcastle Jets in a fiery local derby in the playoff stage. Newcastle took the lead in the 25th minute, before
Stewart Petrie converted a
penalty in the 53rd minute. The game progressed into
extra time, and a 96th-minute header from
Paul O'Grady gave the Mariners a chance to defend their Pre-Season title in what was their fourth consecutive domestic final in as many competition entries. In the grand final, they lost to
Adelaide United 5-4 on
penalties, after the score was tied 1-1 after extra time. Carl Veart scored early for Adelaide before the Mariners levelled in the 77th minute through attacking midfielder
Andre Gumprecht. In the penalty shootout,
Stewart Petrie was the only player to miss on either side, hitting the crossbar. ==2006-07 Hyundai A-League fixtures==