Meeting in a grand final rematch at Industree Group Stadium, neither team could find a way through on Friday night in wet conditions despite a total of 24 shots.
Victory proved the more threatening side against the reigning premiers and champions, but their attack fizzled out when captain Roderick Miranda was sent off.
With 30 minutes on the clock in the season opener, Miranda kicked Doka in the head while attempting to clear an airborne ball.
Jason Geria was lucky to escape a red card in the 29th minute for a sliding tackle that downed Central Coast's Alou Kuol, with his punishment downgraded to a yellow after an on-field review.
The visitors should have taken the lead after the first half when Bruno Fornaroli earned a penalty kick in extra time, but the star striker fumbled the chance.
Caught in the shin by defensive midfielder Bradley Tapp, Socceroo forward Fornaroli sent his free shot at goal rocketing into the far post and fell to his knees in disappointment.
Patrick Kisnorbo momentarily stole the show, going to ground when Mariners left-back Lucas Mauragis, fending off Zinedine Machach, skated off the slippery field and straight under the new Victory coach.
A player slide tackling the opposition coach 🫣🤣 Season 2024/25 has already delivered some comedy gold!— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) No one is safe in the pouring Gosford rain, not even Patrick Kisnorbo 😅pic.twitter.com/gVXB53CqzjOctober 18, 2024
Alou Kuol, Ryan Edmondson and Lucas Mauragis had chances for Central Coast but could not convert.
Grand final hero Edmonson, who scored two goals to be named man of the match in the decider, dared to find the back of the net in the opening thirty seconds but his header went high.
Their goalscoring woes continued well into the second half when a Bailey Brandtman cross just from close range went unchallenged, rolling across the face of goal as Kuol watched on.
In the end, both sides only had one shot on target.
It was the Mariners' first ALM outing without star off-season departures Josh Nisbet, Max Balard, Jacob Farrell and the retired goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
They were also without newly minted captain Trent Sainsbury after he tore his pec muscle during their AFC Champions League Elite campaign.
Sainsbury is not expected to return to the side until the new year.
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