Melbourne Victory, as an
A-League team finishing in the bottom four in the
2020–21 A-League, entered into an A-League playoff round.. Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners entered in the round of 32. Their first match was away to
National Premier Leagues NSW side
Blacktown City in
Mudgee. The Mariners won 1–0 through a second-half goal to
Béni Nkololo. In the next round they drew another NPL NSW side,
Wollongong Wolves. They went behind early after goalkeeper
Mark Birighitti conceded a penalty and was sent off for violent conduct, however, recovered to win 2–1 through second-half goals to
Moresche and debutant
Harry McCarthy. In the quarter-finals, the Mariners drew a third NPL NSW side,
APIA Leichhardt, who upset
A-League Men side
Western Sydney Wanderers in the previous round. The Mariners won 6–0 at
Leichhardt Stadium to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, the Mariners defeated
Sydney FC 1–0 after
Marco Ureña scored a second-half penalty. ==Pre-match==