NPL golden boot Jonas Markovski reflects on breakout season and Altona Magic’s rise

Altona Magic striker Jonas Markovski reflects on a fairytale season that saw him win the NPL golden boot and the Magic earn a drought-breaking finals berth.

Jonas Markovski in action for Altona Magic. Picture: Altona Magic Facebook

Altona Magic’s remarkable season came to an end on Sunday.

The club stormed up the NPL Victoria ladder this season, snaring a first finals appearance since 2009.

A major factor in the Magic’s rise was Jonas Markovski as he produced a stunning breakout season, scoring 19 goals, to win the golden boot.

Markovski is the first Magic player since legendary striker Sash Becvinovski in 2006 to win the prestigious award.

“It’s been a hell of a year, it’s been awesome,” Markovski said.

Jonas Markovski in action for Altona Magic. Picture: MP Images

“I’ve always had an eye for goal but this year I came out in a good way.

“The boys had a lot to contribute, they trusted me with the final pass.

“I got off the mark early and the confidence built throughout the season.

“I think I scored against every team except for two, I was pretty proud of myself for that.

“Waring, Duggan, the whole league has exceptional forwards so it’s a huge honour to be No. 1 this year.”

The 24-year-old scored in the season-opening draw with Hume City, missed out against Avondale the following week, before going on a stunning six-game scoring run.

After a mini four-game drought, he would rediscover his goalscoring form with a brace against eventual premiers, the Avengers.

Nine goals would flow in the next seven games, including a hat-trick against Dandenong Thunder, to blow his competition away.

Chris Duggan (Port Melbourne), Grad Damen (Dandenong Thunder), Pierce Waring (Green Gully) and Stef Zinni (Avondale) all tied for second with 13 goals.

Markovski said playing under his father, former Socceroos striker John, and alongside the likes of Cian Cuba and PNG international Tommy Semmy were big reasons behind his success.

“It’s been unreal, everyone wishes they could play under their old man,” Markovski said.

“Especially this season, having a good year like this, I couldn’t think of a better year and coach to have.

“He’s done well with the recruiting, a lot of interstate lads coming over and sacrificing, a new coach and everyone has settled in really well.

“Cian has definitely been a major, major part in our forward game, not just for me.

“He’s a key member of our attack, coming from Brisbane, he’s taken the league by storm and done an unreal job.”

He’s now hoping his stunning season catches the eye at higher levels.

“Hopefully after this season I can progress but we’ll see how we go,” he said.

“Most definitely, I’ll see what happens but I think every player dreams of reaching the A-League.”

Markovski missed much of last season due to injury, scoring two goals, and Altona Magic finished 11th with eight wins and just 21 goals scored.

This season, it earned 13 wins, more than doubled its offensive output with 48 goals, and snatched a drought-breaking finals berth.

After an inconsistent start to the season, the Magic won seven of eight mid-season to launch into finals calculations.

A 1-0 win over Bentleigh Greens, combined with Green Gully loss to Heidelberg United in Round 25 sealed fifth spot.

While the elimination final didn’t go to plan, a 5-0 defeat to a rampant Oakleigh Cannons, Markovski said there was plenty of promise at Paisley Park.

CUP: HISTORY-MAKING KNIGHTS MARK INTO CUP QUARTERS

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL SPORT NEWS HERE

NPL: SALMON’S AWESOME FOURSOME, KNIGHTS PROGRESS

“Yeah, 100 per cent, it’s very promising,” he said.

“It was definitely a goal to reach the top-six, we had high hopes, but to get there was a shock, I’ll be honest.

“We had a lot of home games in that (winning) stretch and I felt that was a fortress for us by the end of the season.

“We found a good bit of form and a lot of players stepped up when they needed to.”