With playmaker John Bennis and young striker Adrian Karakolevski sidelined, a new-look Magic outfit tore apart a feeble Valentine Phoenix 3-0 at Wanderers Oval.

Jets youth midfielder Simon Mooney was the star, scoring twice and cutting up the defence down the right flank.

But Magic's defence was the key. Veterans David Baillie and Josh Piddington were exceptional in central defence, and Phoenix never looked like breaking them down.

In contrast, the previously undefeated Phoenix made several uncharacteristic defensive errors, three of which led to Broadmeadow goals.

In the 19th minute, Japanese left wing Taiki Nakayama created the first goal when he intercepted a wayward Phoenix pass in midfield before sending a through ball to Magic striker Ben Martin. Phoenix's Matt Pratt failed to stop the pass, allowing Martin to score his fourth goal in as many games.

Pratt was involved in Magic's second goal, when a Mooney pass rebounded off the Valentine defender and the lucky bounce gave his opponent an open goal to shoot at.

The 2-0 half-time lead was extended early in the second half when Mooney exposed the defence by scoring from a tight angle.

Magic coach Peter McGuinness said the constant changes to his line-up due to injuries and transfers have made preparations difficult and the victory more impressive.

"As a coach you pencil in your squad at the start of the year and you know where you're going," McGuinness said.

"We have had to rebuild all the time, which I'm happy to do, but we have some work to do. You need to keep progressing, keeping improving and changing things.

"That performance today won't be enough to win the grand final."

Valentine coach Mick Bolch was bitterly disappointed with his side's performance.

"They beat us to every 50-50 ball," Bolch said.