But the Mariners spoiled the party,prevailing 2-0 courtesy of goals from Daniel De Silva and Jordan Smylie - their second straight win to open the new season,having also beaten the Newcastle Jets on New Year's Eve.
Counting their win over Melbourne Victory in the final match of the 2019-20 campaign,it also marks the first time Central Coast have strung together three wins in a row since February 2017.
It's their first two-from-two start to a season in 13 years and has flung them into unfamiliar territory:top of the A-League ladder,at least for the time being.
"It's reward for the hard work that's been done behind the scenes,"coach Alen Stajcic said.
"I know everyone says that ... but it's such a small club with limited resources. For us to be able to fight and scrap and show the resilience we did and the heart and spirit just shows what a football group can do to overcome the odds."
It was a disappointing comedown for the Bulls,who lacked imagination in attack and were too often exposed in defence despite being willed on by 4538 cowbell-jangling supporters.