By Lance Jenkinson
Altona Magic finds itself in an unfamiliar position of having dead rubber matches to round out the National Premier League season.
In recent years, the Magic has been involved in enthralling chases for titles and promotions, but with two rounds to go this season, it is all a little bit boring.
Magic coach Goran Lozanovski concedes it has been a bit harder for the team to find motivation since their finals hopes ended and their survival in the league was confirmed.
Even a game against his former club South Melbourne is not measuring too high on Lozanovski’s excitement scale.
“It’s a hard one to get motivated for to be honest,” he said.
“If we were playing against a team that was fighting for the top six or in the top six, the players would’ve been happy to go out there and try to upset them.
“Unfortunately, right now, the South game is a dead rubber for us and them.
“It’s always a great challenge to play South, but unfortunately when there’s nothing to play for, it’s a bit hard to get up for that game.”
With neither side having plenty to gain or lose, Lozanovski predicts it could be an open game that promotes attacking play against South Melbourne.
The other aspect of interest could be seeing which youngsters step up.
“You might get a few young boys playing and showing if they’re worthy of playing senior football next year,” Lozanovski said.
“I’m sure South will probably be doing the same thing, blooding the young boys.”
Lozanovski is deflated by the way Altona’s first season in the top flight has panned out.
The Magic showed their best is good enough to match it with the contenders, but they were far too inconsistent to crack into the top six.
What did not help the Magic’s cause was the injury list that seemed to grow by the week.
“When you’ve had the season that we’ve had with the roster and the ins and outs, the inconsistency with our starting XI, it shows on the field,” he said.
“We’re doing our best, but unfortunately it’s just not good enough. It shows why we are where we are on the table.”
The positive for Altona Magic, currently in 10th spot, is that it managed to keep hold of its NPL spot. It will now start planning early for an assault on the finals in 2020.
