Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar is determined for his side to progress to the Australian Championship semi-finals as Magic prepare to take on Wests APIA FC in the opening round on Saturday.
The Australian Championship started in 2025 and is the national second-tier men's competition to form a pathway between state-based competitions and the A-League Men's.
To form the 16 teams that take part in the competition, eight foundation clubs were selected in November 2023, with an additional eight teams chosen as the member federation premiers from their respective NPL seasons.
Magic secured their spot in the competition for the second consecutive year when they were crowned NPL Men's NNSW premiers in August after winning 15 out of their 22 matches and recording 49 points.
They were drawn in group B and will face foundation clubs Wests APIA FC (NPL NSW) and Avondale FC (NPL Victoria) as well as NPL South Australia premiers Adelaide City FC.
Broadmeadow had a tough 2025 Australian Championship campaign winning just one of their six group stage matches, finishing at the bottom of their group.
But Cresnar is determined to take last year's heartache and change the story in 2026, starting with their opening match at Magic Park on Saturday.
"I think we'll take a lot from the experience of being in that environment but the key learnings from that as well," Cresnar said.
"In particular parts of the game that we need to develop better and that's something that we've been working on throughout the last six to eight weeks.
“I think it’s about controlling the key moments in the game and at times we didn't do that well enough to be successful. So it’s about the ability to recognise key moments and controlling them as well.
"That's probably the main learning from last year."
Cresnar is hopeful Broadmeadow will not only avoid the bottom of the table but is determined for them to progress to the semi-finals and believes they will make it if the key characteristics are there.
"The aim is semi-finals. We've got a pretty hard goal and we've got a fairly difficult group to do that but I've got enough confidence in the ability and belief in the squad to be able to do it," Cresnar said.
"If we work hard, have high energy effort and enthusiasm, if those key characteristics are shown, I'll be happy.
"As long as they're trying and doing the best for Broadmeadow Magic and NNSWF, I'll be happy as well."
Magic have played trial games against 2025 finalists Marconi Stallions and A-League Men's side Brisbane Roar in preparation for their Australian Championship campaign.
Magic fell short 3-1 to Roar after being locked at 1-1 until the 84th minute but walked away with a 1-1 draw with Marconi, highlighting their growth in the recent year.
"Playing Marconi gave us a good insight of where we are, which is important," Cresnar said.
"It was actually a really good result for us. We were up 1-0 for a large part of the game as well.
"It gives them the confidence moving forward."
Broadmeadow Magic's squad list will remain similar to their NPL Men's NNSW season with the additions of former Newcastle Jets A-League goalkeeper Noah James, Canadian former NPL Tasmania attacker Joel Badger and Magic Youth product Orland Heigl who has returned from NPL Queensland.
Cresnar aims to reward the players that guided his side to their third consecutive premiership and continue the internal culture they have built.
"The aim this year was to reward the individuals who got us through to the Australian Championship," Cresnar said.
"We're fortunate enough now that Bailey Wells and Riley Smith who have been injured in the past are also back.
"I think the biggest thing is all about the team culture and we've got a very strong team culture because we make sure we get that right.
"That's why I'm rewarding the individuals who have helped throughout the year.
“You can see by the individuals involved that they’re really excited. They're coming to training early, people are in the gym doing their own sessions as well.
“So everyone's really, really excited about the Australian Championship and the opportunities that come from that as well."
2026 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE
WHO: Broadmeadow Magic v Wests APIA FC
WHEN: Saturday 17 October
WHERE: Magic Park
KICK-OFF: 3pm
TICKET DETAILS: Tickets are available HERE.
KEY INFORMATION