Article - Stephen Black

No, the league is not being held to ransom but rather a chance to give you my thoughts on the upcoming season and hopefully get some feedback from everyone regarding rumours, facts, and opinions. Please note that I will clearly talk more about the Pirates and teams/people I know – so the more you send me, the more informed I will be!

SOUTH POOL

The depth this season appears to be the best in years with the talent pool being spread around the league. Rumours have Thalo and Curtis going to Toowoomba with Pop Dickerson there determined to be a competitive outfit this year. Ipswich also sound like their team will be not miss the absence of Ryan Jeffries, with many former and current NBL players being linked to the force. Ryan Stolberg also had a quietly impressive year last year and I would think they are primed for a great year. The mighty South West Pirates will continue to provide headaches this year with the super young talent of Teys, Carter, and Broom to match the always impressive Nate Niesler. The loss of team stalwart Troy Thomson will however prove difficult and the retirement of 46 year veteran Jason Cameron will be a massive hole – though hope is still out there that he will make a triumphant return once pre-season training concludes. The Gold Coast will be tough as ever and first year coach ‘Micky C’ did an outstanding job with his boys last year, and are a serious threat once again to give the final four a shake.

CENTRAL

Bundy have acquired the shooter they so desperately needed last year and Davis will ensure that teams cannot collapse on the dynamic returning duo of Shackleford and Hanson. They will hope this season provides ample garbage time for inspirational veteran Matt Fleming. Brisbane is a mixed bag at this stage with rumours that they have acquired the services of Tom Garlepp from the Blaze. Having known Tom’s talent at this level from his play in the WA state league, he will be more than a handful and make the game much easier for what was a very young group last year. The Wizards as far as I am aware are yet to show their cards but have always produced a talent rich lineup. Perhaps they can lure slammin’ Sam Mackinnon out of retirement; he may help be able to help them a little. Maroochydore will once again be the smallest team in the league and by far the scariest to play. They pushed everyone last year including my South West team in the quarter finals before one of the craziest final quarters you have ever seen. Caboolture are the silent team thus far with rumours having both stars from last season departing but currently no additions. I am ready to make a comeback if they are in need of a corner shooter who will refuse to leave the offensive end of the floor. Or pass. Or move from that corner.

NORTH

Mackay will be a very different outfit with the loss of Leonard King who had done a great job assembling Australian talent. Word is they have Coenraad back but will not be getting the services of Martin and Blanchfield. If Martin doesn’t hurt his ankle, this team would have had home court for the playoffs and may very well have won the whole thing last year. The thought of Kingma and Kruger together should equally delight and scare everyone. Townsville will potentially be very impressive this year if they can have Blanchfield join Egan, Cedar and the return of Townsville favourite Kelvin Robertson. If they put this linuep together I see them challenging the Rockets. Cairns will no doubt be competitive again, although if they lose Deba and Vale along with injuries to Williams, a lot of speed will be lost from a team that did not have tremendous size last year. The crucial missing piece though will be the loss of Joel Kahlu who’s defensive presence will provide a hole in the Marlins lineup. Gladstone will certainly look for Iwanicki to be the usual star, and insert 2 imports who will push the ball and provide an inside presence. They were a tough get last year and I see no reason why they won’t be again.

The Champs...

If you assume McDade and Golson will return, with the addition of Jeffries to the lineup this team looks even better than last year. If Peni is in any kind of shape other than round they will once again be the team to beat, as he was clearly the difference in the final last season. Whilst no Kingma means they will be smaller, I always felt McDade at the 5 spot made them even more difficult to handle.

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Any comments, views or opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of Basketball Queensland or their affiliates.
All comments are based upon current knowledge and personal experiences at time of publication.