Tara Murray
Things are progressing nicely for Altona Magic ahead of the National Premier League season kick off next month.
Under new coach John Markovski the Magic is hoping to build on an inconsistent 2022, which resulted in the side finishing in 10th.
Markovski, who is returning to the club where he had previously played at and coached, said he can’t wait for the season to get underway.
“We’re four and half weeks out,” he said. “We’re in the middle of the pre-season which is going alright, we’re getting there slowly.
“We’ve kept quite a few guys and we’ve got some new guys as well. I’m new and they’re new and they have to get used to a new philosophy and how we want to play.
“We’ll see how we go.”
Markovski said they had added five key signings, most who had been involved in A-League club systems previously.
Goalkeeper Zac Bowling joins the club from Broadmeadow Magic in Newcastle and had previously been part of the Newcastle Jets Academy.
Bowling impressed many soccer fans with his performance in the Australia Cup against the Bentleigh Greens.
Justin Micallef crossed the Magic from fellow NPL side, Melbourne Knights.
The attacking midfielder-winger has played in domestic competitions both in Malta and Spain.
Cian Cuba is a creative midfielder who arrives via Queensland NPL outfit Brisbane Olympic.
He has also played in Spain and Uruguay.
Charlie Leech has made the move across the country. He joins the Magic from the Perth Glory Academy set up who has played in the Western Australian NPL for the last two seasons.
Proven goal scorer Darcy Anastovski joins the club from Melbourne Victory where he has spent the last four years in the NPL system.
Markovski said they had looked to have a mixture of youth and experience,
“A lot of them are young kids that have been involved in a full time environment,” he said. “Hopefully they keep getting better and they might end up back in the higher system down the track.
“It’s a nice mixture. It’s an opportunity for the young kids to show what they can do.”
The Magic have played three practice matches so far, winning all three.
Markovski said it had been positive so far.
“It’s a positive indication of where the players are at,” he said.
“We want to win every game, so it’s good to win and we’re happy with the progression we are making.
“We have a practice match against Green Gully and then we head to Newcastle on the weekend and then face Melbourne Victory and it’s the season.”
