MACKAY'S new men’s basketball coach is confident the Meteors can go even further next season and win an elusive QBL title.

 

 

 

Grant Kruger takes over from Leonard King, who last season took the McDonald’s Meteors to their first QBL grand final, only to lose to Rockhampton Rockets.

“It’s going to be hard to achieve what we did last season, getting to the grand final,” he said.

“But, then again, if we can add a few more pieces to our puzzle there’s no reason why we can’t go one step further.”

Kruger, who was last season’s Meteors assistant coach, brings extensive NBL experience to the Meteors to replace King, who is leaving Mackay for Brisbane in January after four seasons here.

He was just 15 when he joined the Institute of Sport, and played NBL at 17.

He is a 15-year veteran of the NBL, and won a championship with the Wollongong Hawks in 2000-1. He played for the Meteors in the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

“I have spoken to most of the players from last season and most of them are interested in coming back,” he said.

The Meteors had a ‘Big Four’ last season of captain John Fitzgerald, Mackay’s Todd Blanchfield, and Hawks NBL players Tim Coenraad and Rhys Martin, who were instrumental in Mackay’s successful year.

“Tim Coenraad and Rhys Martin have said they want to come back,” Kruger said.

“With Rhys it depends on how his ankle is, he hasn’t been playing and is due to get on court in three weeks with the Hawks.

“He’ll be playing two to three months in the NBL and, depending on how his injury is, coming back to the QBL after that.”

Kruger said Blanchfield, who is in his first full season with the Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL, was keen to return.

“He’s interested, but has other options as well,” he said.

“He and his girlfriend Rachel Allison (who played for the Meteorettes last season) are looking for a package, and it depends on what we can do for them.”

The only doubtful starter is Fitzgerald, who is in Sweden.

But a positive for the Meteors is the form of Mackay’s under-23 side, which was undefeated in this season’s Tropical League.

“They are showing a lot of maturity,” Kruger said.

King said Kruger was a “perfect fit” for the team.

“He knows the system, the players trust him and I am confident that he will be a great coach at this level,” he said.

“I think Grant has an awesome opportunity to stamp his mark on the team, and I know that he will be well-supported by the best sponsors and fans in the QBL.”

Mackay Basketball is also to appoint a general manager who will liaise with QBL sponsors.

 

 

 

Article - Daily Mercury