Broadmeadow Magic will field a young, new-look line-up in their FFA Cup match against A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers after the departure of several senior players.
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Leading scorer James Virgili, skipper Luke Virgili, stalwart defenders Jon Griffiths and Matt Hoole, midfielder Mitch Rooke and 2018 competition player of the year Sam Walker are among those who have left the club.
Coach Damian Zane said the Virgili brothers and Hoole had joined Northern NSW NPL premiers Lambton Jaffas, while Griffiths, Rooke and Walker were also headed elsewhere. The Newcastle Herald understands Griffiths has joined NPL newcomers Cooks Hill.
Luke Callan and Sam Haren are other departures.
Midfielder Jose Atayde, who missed the latter part of this season because of COVID restrictions, is likely to try his hand overseas again and will probably miss the cup match.
On the plus side, Magic have signed Damon Green (Edgeworth) and Aaron Oppedisano (Charlestown) for next year but both will be cup tied for the Wanderers clash. The main draw, nationwide knockout game has yet to be rescheduled because of COVID restrictions but will be held at No.2 Sportsground, possibly next month.
Former Jet Jack Simmons, who played briefly at Broadmeadow this year before going to Queensland for trials, is back and could play for Magic. Another addition for the game and next season is Oscar Ward from the Central Coast Mariners.
In Zane's first campaign at the helm, Magic finished fourth in the NNSW NPL this season. The league was abandoned after 16 of 18 rounds because of the COVID lockdown.
Broadmeadow, though, had already joined Newcastle Olympic in the FFA Cup round of 32 after a 4-3 extra-time thriller over Edgeworth and wins against Port Macquarie United (8-0) and Weston (2-1).
Young defender Jeremy Wilson has taken over as captain of Magic. Ryan Ensor is vice-captain.
The depleted Broadmeadow line-up face a huge task against the Wanderers but Zane was happy with how the squad was shaping up for 2022.
Zane, who took Edgeworth to the last 16 in the FFA Cup twice, said he had "a massive squad" at Magic this year and the departures would take away his selection headaches.
He believed the likes of Jake Harris and Jordan Jackson in defence, Green, Simmons and Ward in midfield and Jarred Baker and Jayden Stewardson in attack would fill the void.
"I'm pretty happy with what we have, we just need a couple to round out the squad and we'll be OK," Zane said.
Olympic, meanwhile, have recruited former Mariners keeper Adam Pearce as well as Jarrod Dodds (Hills United), Marcus Duncan (Weston) and Jackson Burston (Lake Macquarie) for next year.
Olympic host A-League side Macarthur in their first round of 32 cup appearance. That match is also set to be held at No.2 Sportsground.