IT MAY be detrimental to Broadmeadow’s premiership chances, but coach Ruben Zadkovich hopes Mitch Oxborrow doesn’t spend long at the Magic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory midfielder was given a standing ovation after orchestrating a 3-1 win over Valentine on debut at Cahill Oval on Saturday.
In a big day for former A-League players Kristian Brymora scored off the bench and Ryan Griffiths was instrumental as an under-manned Lambton Jaffas thrashed Weston 5-0 at Edden Oval.
Oxborrow, who hadn’t played since being released by Perth in May, has a strong relationship with Zadkovich from their days together at the Glory and Jets.
“He had been trying to get an A-League club but it wasn’t happening for him,” Zadkovich said. “I told him that he needed to be doing something proactive. I was blown away today. There is no way he deserves to be playing this level.”
Oxborrow played predominantly as a holding midfielder in the his 32 A-League appearances but was pushed forward by Zadkovich.
“He played as a number ten and just dictated,” said Zadkovich, who played 151 A-League games. “He got a standing ovation at Valentine when I replaced him. It wasn’t just because he did classy things, he did everything. He chased, he worked, he tackled. He had one training session with our team and get players’ player. The Jets should at least take him for a trial.”
Another former Jet, James Virgili score a brace for the Magic.
At Edden Oval, Lambton, minus five regulars headed by Jobe Wheelhouse and Joel Griffiths, out-classed the Bears.
Ryan Griffiths scored a penalty and whipped in a cross which led to an own goal as the Jaffas opened a 3-0 lead at the break.
“It was probably our best performance of the season,” coach James Pascoe said.
Brymora has been training with the Jaffas since told by the Jets last month that he was not in their plans for next season.
“He has been training with us to stay in nick before he heads to Europe and a series of trial,” Pascoe said. “He is an under-20 player and is allowed be registered and play up to eight games. It was a case of being at the right place at the right time for him and us. It will help him out to get on the plane a little but fitter and sharper than he would have been. He is available for one more game for us before departing on a one-way ticket. He wants it badly and has turned himself into a fantastic athlete. If anyone deserves it on the characteristics of desire and work ethic, he is a chance.”
