THE Mandurah Magic narrowly missed the Men's SBL playoffs last year but will be determined to get back there in 2016 with the frontcourt looking to be their great strength with the return of Tom Remmerswaal.

The Magic looked on track to make the playoffs for the majority of 2015 until a seven-game losing run late in the campaign cruelled those hopes and they slipped just behind the Tigers, Giants and Hawks.

Mandurah had made the post-season the previous three seasons but they are now focused on getting back there again in 2016 and there have been plenty of changes to the roster.

Trent Gerovich, Beau Samuelson, Travis McIlroy, Paul Hafford were all important players last year who have moved on but perhaps the biggest surprise is the departure of Rhett and Brendan Della. Brendan remains unsigned while Rhett has joined the Cockburn Cougars.

With captain Taylor Mullenax earning Australian residency, he can play as a local for 2016 with the Magic having so far only filled one of their restricted player spots.

That is with Trevor Setty who arrives as a big man with a big reputation to provide even more power to the frontcourt for the Magic.

With Mullenax and Ben Smith back again as the starting frontcourt who combined 37.1 points and 19.8 rebounds a game last season, they will have plenty more help this season with not only Setty, but also Remmerswaal who returns to Mandurah after time with the Rockingham Flames.

Chad Simpson is also on board from the Flames while the Magic have signed Aron Lopez from the Willetton Tigers, Sam Julitz from the Goldfields Giants and Ben Jones returns after a year away.

At the SBL Blitz held at Warwick Stadium a fortnight ago, the Magic scored wins over the South West Slammers and Metro team while losing to the Willetton Tigers and Rockingham Flames.

The Magic begin their 2016 season at home to the Geraldton Buccaneers at their 2016 adopted home of Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Saturday March 19.

ROSTER
Kyle Markus, Jordan Barlow, Melusi Mikhwanaazi, Aron Lopez, Ryan Curtis, Ben Jones, Jarrad Jackson, Ben Smith, Daniel Florance, Caiel Van Sam Beeck, Chad Simpson, Tom Remmerswaal, Taylor Mullenax, Sam Julitz, Trevor Setty (restricted)
Coach – Jason Kyle

EXPERTS THOUGHTS
Championship Winning Coach – ADAM FORDE
PREDICTION – 13th
With some key contributors getting older, and their lack of depth off the bench, the Magic will need big production from Jarrad Jackson and Daniel Florance. Trevor Setty has the potential to light up the scoreboard, but his inconsistent three-point percentage from previous seasons that have me picking the Magic to miss post season basketball.

SBL Slam Radio Host - MATT CECINS
PREDICTION – 11th
The league is fully aware of Taylor Mullenax and his leadership and impact on the floor. Ben Smith is in the top five for big men in the SBL, and Jarrad Jackson is a handy point guard. Tom Remmerswaal returns, albeit at the end of his career and Trevor Setty’s style of game is heavily reliant on his outside jump shot. Unfortunately, there is a definite lack of depth this year for the Magic.

ANONYMOUS
PREDICTION – 7th
Jason Kyle looks to have enough at his disposal to again expect to be a playoff contender but there is a 'Plot Twist' with the Magic. With Captain Taylor Mullenax now a permanent resident and no longer considered restricted, Mandurah could bring in a second import to go with Trevor Setty. If they do that, they could go from being a playoff contender to title contender with the pieces they have. Time will tell.

Article by Chris Pike