Socceroo Lucas Herrington was famously once described as the ‘best defender in Australian football’ and now something similar has been said of older brother, Diesel Herrington.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the 2026/27 A-League Men season with the Central Coast Mariners having previously had his struggles due to injury.
With club captain Trent Sainsbury sidelined due to injury Herrington has become a mainstay of the Mariners defence under new head coach John Hutchinson, having now put together three, 90-minute displays so far this season.
MATCH REPORT: 10-man Victory fight back to secure hard-earned point against Mariners
Herrington put in another commanding performance on Sunday afternoon as the Mariners drew 1-1 at AAMI Park against a Melbourne Victory side reduced to 10-men, with boss Hutchinson effusive in his praise of the central defender after the game.
“If I look at a huge upside, [it] was Diesel Harrington. You know, he’s got back-to-back 90 minute games now for the start of the season,” Hutchinson said.
“You talk about a player with no ceiling. I look at him, and for me, he’s the number one centre back in this league, comfortably.
“He’s an incredible athlete, incredible footballer, great guy. I just hope he can… [that] his body issues are behind him.
“We are very lucky to have him in this country. We’re very lucky to have him at our football club.
“So when you look at it, it’s a huge positive for the club. Diesel Harrington is one that stands out.”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL 2026/27 ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE FIXTURE LIST
Despite Melbourne Victory going down to 10 players after just 13 minutes following the dismissal of Harry Shillington, the Mariners failed to really assert their dominance on the game.
Oli Lavale’s strike in the 63rd minute gave Hutchinson’s side the lead but a fantastic strike from Jordi Valadon six minutes later ensured the points were shared at AAMI Park.
“I think from half-time til we scored the goal, I thought we were very good,” Hutchinson said in post-match press conference.
“You know, there is improvement there. We do want to move the ball faster, but we were very good and patient, and we moved the ball around, which is hard for young people.
“They become impatient. They want to try to score from every attack. You know, we’ve got to keep telling them that that’s impossible.
“But the way they just moved the ball and they got in good positions, people facing forward, forward runs.
“We need way more end product.
“We need to get in areas where we are more dangerous. But I was happy with that. You know, I thought we were very comfortable for a long period in that second half until we scored.
“You know, for some reason, mindset, seeing, you know, [you’re] one-nil up to Victory away, even thought it was 10 men. That for me was a disappointment.”
Next up for the Mariners is an away trip to Sydney FC on Friday, November 6 at Allianz Stadium.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE 2026/27 A-LEAGUE MEN SEASON
