RAY Evans has put the Sun City Plumbing Buccaneers’ import search on hold as he focuses on the hunt for new Australian talent.

Evans said talks were on-going with “a couple” of domestic players.

He said the Buccs would only decide what import was needed once their Australian list was set.

“We’re talking to a couple of players and we’ll go from there,” he said.

“Once we decide on our Australian players we’ll decide what type of import we want to fit around what we’ve got.

“We want to get the Australian contingent set first and not get an import and then have an Australian player rock up who is the same position. We want to get some all round strength in the team with good balance.”

Players and coaches for the Geraldton camp were given strict conditions for improvement by the Buccs board after the team finished 2011 in 11th position.

Player depth issues and injury blighted the season and the Buccs were unable to replace Daniel Thomas and Tom Witts who departed in 2010.

Each SBL side is granted two imports or “restricted players” of different nationalities.

American Michael Lay will retain one of the Buccs’ import spots next season.

The 2011 Dan Hunt Trophy winner is to remain as an import until he gains Australian citizenship.

Article by Thomas Davis (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Geraldton Guardian