Style barb arcs up Magic for semi

BROADBEACH United coach Lee Vernon has taken a nottoo-subtle swipe at Gold Coast Premier League champions Magic United by claiming the new champions play an AFLstyle game.

The cagey Vernon added spice to this afternoon’s major semi-final at Robina Common when he said Broadbeach had to adapt to Magic’s long-ball game to be the first team into the grand final.

“I definitely have a healthy respect for Magic and they were good value in their (2-0) win a couple of weeks ago,” Vernon said.

“What did we learn from that? We have to deal with their long-ball game.

“They don’t play a lot of football, they knock it long and use their pace up front.

“You can say they play an AFL type of game – it’s effective and hard to play against but it’s certainly not an academy type of game.”

Vernon was referring to Magic’s Total Football Academy system in place at Birmingham Road.

Vernon’s comments certainly riled Magic United coach Col Phelan who fired back by saying Magic play the best brand of football in the competition.

“I am offended by those comments,” Phelan said, saying it was necessary in this day and age to be adaptable in onfield methods.

“At the end of the day we can go out there and play like Real Madrid but still lose 1-0.

“The result is the priority in these games and you have to play it (long-ball) when it needs to be played.

“Now and then you have to mix it up.”

The Broadbeach-Magic game begins at 5pm.