Alik Magin has hair like a lion’s, but according to his player profile he would be a tiger if he ever got the chance to be an animal.
Either way, Magin will be keen to use his speed and agility if he gets the chance to play in Gold Coast Football Club’s first VFL match, against Port Melbourne on Saturday at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport.
The 18-year-old nippy forward, a Pomona product, is likely to slot into the emerging club’s half-forward line but is hoping he is not confined to that position.
“It’s been a pretty solid pre-season. I’m fit and just hoping to get a run this weekend,” Magin said yesterday.
“I’ll probably start at half-forward but I’d like to play in the midfield a little bit as well.”
Magin said he had endured his toughest pre-season, with the club readying itself for inclusion in the 2011 AFL.
“It was much harder than last year,” he said.
“Going into the VFL, you’ve got to work harder.
“The blokes are older, bigger and hit harder.”
Magin’s twin, Lanze, also plays professional football, and older brother Rhys has experienced AFL level with Essendon.
Alik is hoping to follow in Rhys’s footsteps and be there in round one next year for GCFC’s historic first AFL match.
“I’d really like to play in the AFL next year, but to do that I need to play consistent footy this year and give myself the best opportunity to be there,” he said.
“I have to make sure I keep the team structure and play well enough to get picked every week.”
Magin kicked a goal and had plenty of touches in GCFC’s recent trial match against the Brisbane Lions reserves.
“It’s pretty exciting to be part of a brand-new AFL club,” he said.
“We had a good run against Brisbane and hopefully we can back it up.”
ALIK MAGIN
Age: 18
Height: 181cm
Weight: 72kg
Junior clubs: Pomona under-eight to under-16, Caloundra under-18
Other Sunshine Coast products playing for GCFC: Trent Manzone (Caloundra), Todd Grayson (Maroochy-Northshore)
Article written by Travis Meyn for the Sunshine Coast Daily.
Last Modified on 19/04/2010 17:31