Leo Mazis discusses his impressive Dandenong Thunder debut and season ambitions

Dandenong Thunder young gun Leo Mazis has simple goals for the season, enjoy the game, score goals and win. He has certainly made a strong start.

Leo Mazis in action for Dandenong Thunder. Picture: Dandenong Thunder

“Just winning, you can’t beat that winning feeling.”

Dandenong Thunder young gun Leo Mazis has one aim this season and he made a strong first impression in his NPL Victoria debut last Friday night.

Mazis scored the winner in the Thunder’s 1-0 victory at Heidelberg United in their season-opener at Olympic Park.

A sublime first-time finish, finding the far-side bottom corner after the ball rebounded to him on the edge of the area, showed the class he can bring to the team and competition.

“The ball rolled to me nicely and I was able to finish,” he said.

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“It was good to get off the mark … good connection and I was pretty happy with it.”

With that first goal and win in the bank, Mazis is confident there’s plenty more to come.

“You don’t want to have that burden when it’s on your back and weighing on your mind,” he said.

“I feel like I can just focus on my game as a whole now and hopefully score more goals and help the team as much as I can.

“Seeing the boys’ reactions after the game, you feed off that, individually I want to score as many goals as I can and help the team in any way I can.”

Still only 22, Mazis arrives at George Andrews Reserve after five years in Europe.

He signed with Scottish giants Celtic as a 17-year-old, spending two years in Glasgow before a move to Italian club Triestina.

The arrival of COVID ended his time at the club before it began and he returned home before signing with Spanish outfit Palencia.

Leo Mazis in action for Dandenong Thunder. Picture: Dandenong Thunder

Now back in Australia, Mazis is simply looking to enjoy his football again and play consistently.

“Leaving home at a young age you learn a lot on and off the pitch,” he said.

“I feel like the COVID pandemic was a blessing in disguise, I’ve ended up here and in a really happy place and I believe I can play my best football when that’s the case.

“It was really good, Europe is a whole different kettle of fish – you’ve got pros and cons over there – and I’m fortunate to have had that experience.

“My main goal for right now is not looking past this season, it’s only Round 1.

“(A-League or another European opportunity) would be nice but I’m happy where I am right now, I’m in a good place, and just focusing game by game and feel like there’s no point looking past St Albans this Saturday.”

Dandenong Thunder coach David Chick knew he’d found a gem when Mazis signed on.

He was one of several new recruits to shine on debut with South Sudan international goalkeeper Majak Mawaith keeping a clean sheet and the likes of Geoffrey Lino, Grad Damen and Luke Adams also impressing.

The Thunder are looking to break into the NPL top-six this season after finishing eighth, four points out of finals.

A three-game homestand against St Albans, reigning champion Oakleigh and reigning premier South Melbourne will certainly show were Dandenong sit.

Mazis, a Canberra native said moving to Melbourne and joining the Thunder was an easy decision.

“I really liked the approach Dandenong made for me initially and I also feel like the Victorian NPL is very, very strong,” Mazis said.

“It’s a good way to develop, to be in a league that’s really competitive and playing for points and it really means something.

“I really like Melbourne as a place as well, which makes everything a lot easier.

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“It was good to be out there (in Round 1) and put everything we’d been working on in pre-season on the park on the first day and get all three points.

“I feel like I fit into the system really well, I can show the best parts of my game, which is all you can ask for and it’s a good bunch of boys and coaching staff.

“Everyone at the club wants to be a part of big games and finals is that, we can’t look any further than St Albans but if we can play to our full potential we’ll be there for sure.”

Dandenong Thunder hosts St Albans at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday at 7pm.