sport
Altona Magic Face Hume City Opener With New Squad, Strong Preseason Form
Local supporters can follow the club’s progress from the first whistle against Hume City and build their involvement around home matches at the familiar ground.
How we reported this
Altona Magic enter the new National Premier Leagues Victoria Men’s season with renewed hope after a late 2022 slide that left them seven points above the relegation line.
The timing matters because Round 1 against Hume City at Paisley Park gives Altona residents an immediate chance to see the side in action and decide how they want to follow the campaign. Many locals already know the ground as the club’s home base, and the early February window aligns with the start of the local football calendar when community interest traditionally builds.
Paisley Park remains the central point for anyone wanting to connect with the team. Supporters can plan attendance around the listed home fixtures, starting with the opening match and continuing through the season’s schedule published on the Football Victoria site.
Key details from the preview
The club finished the previous season with a strong defensive showing up to Round 18, holding the equal third-best record in the competition before a run of one win in the final eight games. Pre-season results have included victories over Port Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens, the Maso-Cup title in Newcastle, and a 2-0 friendly win against Melbourne Victory. Head coach John Markovski, in his third year, has emphasised attractive football and the integration of new players including Cian Cuba from Brisbane Olympic, Zac Bowling from Broadmeadow Magic, Justin Micallef from Melbourne Knights, plus Darcy Anastovski, Charlie Leech and Christian Rossi. Outgoings include Chris Oldfield.
Markovski has set a realistic target of a top-six finish while noting that every player has a specific role to fulfil. The squad features a mix of young local talent and experienced additions who will need time to adapt to the club’s approach.
How Altona residents can get started
Begin by checking the full fixture list on the Football Victoria Gameday platform for dates and venues. Round 1 is Altona Magic versus Hume City, followed by an away trip to Avondale and then a home game against North Geelong Warriors. Fans can attend matches at Paisley Park, follow updates through the club’s channels, and observe how the new signings settle into the starting lineup. Those new to supporting the side can arrive early for home games to experience the atmosphere and learn the team’s playing style first-hand. The source for all schedule and squad information is the February 2023 preview published at footballvictoria.com.au.