Broadmeadow hope to get veteran striker John Majurovski back for the derby with Newcastle Olympic on Wednesday night as they try to regain their scoring touch.
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Olympic host Magic at Darling Street Oval from 7pm in the round-three Northern NSW NPL catch-up game.
Magic's new-look attack had scored eight goals across two wins to start their campaign but they struggled to create chances in the 1-0 loss to Edgeworth last Sunday without Majurovski.
The 37-year-old was kept safe on the bench because of a calf concern from training.
The absence was compounded by the loss of Ryan Ensor to a groin injury in the 40th minute, which forced a reshuffle. Ensor is out of the clash with Olympic but coach Anthony Richards was hoping Majurovski was right to take part.
"The only issue with him is his fitness, he's tweaked his calf muscle and that's why he didn't get on on the weekend," Richards said on Tuesday. "We just didn't think it was worth the risk.
"We're hoping he'll be available for the squad tomorrow night. He's been really good for us the first two games, just his leadership on the park, and at training he runs our shooting drills. And he does a terrific job with it."
He said Jeremy Wilson would return after missing the loss to Edgeworth because of tonsillitis.
One player who is not yet an option is Dom Bizzarri.
The multiple premiership-winner with Edgeworth has joined Magic and made his first appearance in reserve grade on Sunday. He is the first Eagle to link with Magic since the exit last month of coach Damian Zane, who will take over at Broadmeadow in 2021.
Bizzarri missed last season because of a knee reconstruction. Richards said Magic were getting Bizzarri ready for next season. He was unsure if Bizzarri could play first grade this year without coming in as an injury replacement on their roster.
There was also a gentleman's agreement between clubs after the COVID-19 break, and its financial impact, not to accept players from each other's top squads this season.
"Obviously he's way too good for reserve grade but it's good to have him around," Richards said.
Olympic coach Alex Tagaroulias was unlikely to change his side from the 2-2 draw with Jaffas on Saturday. It was the second game in a row Olympic have come back from 2-0 down to draw.
"I've got to come up with a session that makes us play before the 20th minute," Tagaroulias joked. "But they did brilliantly again, especially against that lot, and a few people really stood up.
"We're still missing Kyle Hodges, Blake Green and Tom Curran, but the young blokes are doing well. Jared Muller continues to impress in attack and Tim Stewart in midfield has come out of the blocks and he's growing into it. I'm very happy with them especially because they are junior products of the club.
"I've watched them come through, so there's nothing more rewarding than that."
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