Although the start of the new A-League season is more than four months away fans can start preparing their summer with the unveiling of the 2016/17 draw.

The Central Coast Mariners kick off their season on Saturday, October 8, in Perth against the Glory.

They face another away fixture in round two against fierce rivals Sydney FC.

The first home game is in round three against last ­season’s runners up, Brisbane Roar, on Saturday, ­October 22.

Other features of the draw are: hosting Melbourne City on New Year’s Eve; an Australia Day weekend home match against Perth Glory, two home matches in Canberra vs. Wellington and Adelaide; members’ access to five derbies with free entry to two F3 Newcastle derbies at Hunter Stadium, final round away to Melbourne Victory and final home match being the F3 derby with Newcastle in the penultimate round.

Mariners’ CEO Shaun Mielekamp was happy with the draw.

“We’re really excited, it’s a good draw,” he said.

“We have a few tough away trips early on but it’s also good to have them done and dusted early on.

“We have to work really hard to get the draw where it is.

“You have to campaign really hard to get the things you want and a lot of work goes into it.”

The draw works on a ­two- yearly cycle to even out the number of home games against each team and each club is allowed three priority selections.

Mielekamp said selecting the priorities was no guarantee the club would receive them.

“You might not get any.”

“There are 10 clubs scrambling with each other and the television networks, the FFA, there’s a lot to it.

“The match timeslots is the biggest challenge.

“The capital city clubs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane attract all of the better timeslots.

“We only got allocated one match of the round Saturday 7.30pm timeslot (round four against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Spotless Stadium).

“Everybody wants that timeslot.”

The Mariners’ boss was excited about the partnerships with the ACT Government and Newcastle Jets.

“I’m excited about the Canberra games, it’s a great opportunity for our club to get more members and exposure,” he said.

“I also want the F3 derby with Newcastle to be restored to its former glory.”

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS’ GOSFORD HOME DRAW

Saturday, October 22 Mariners vs. Brisbane Roar 5.35pm

Thursday, November 24, Mariners vs. Perth Glory 7.50pm

Saturday, December 3, Mariners vs. Western Sydney Wanderers 5.35pm

Sunday, December 18, Mariners vs. Brisbane Roar + W-League 5pm

Saturday, December 31, Mariners vs. Melbourne City 7pm

Sunday, January 8, Mariners vs. Sydney FC + W-League 5pm

Saturday, January 28, Mariners vs. Perth Glory 5.35pm

Sunday, February 19, Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory 5pm

Sunday, March 5, Mariners vs. Melbourne City 5pm

Saturday, March 25, Mariners vs. Adelaide United 5.35pm

Sunday, April 9, Mariners vs. Newcastle Jets 5pm