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Season 3 Episode 5: NBL1 East 2025 women's rosters pt. 2
45 Plays16 days ago
Teams featured:
* Bankstown Bruins
* CC Crusaders
* Hills Hornets
* Hornsby Ku-Ring_Gai Spiders
* Illawarra Hawks
* Inner West Bulls
* Maitland Mustangs
* Sutherland Sharks
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Transcript
Introduction and Technical Difficulties
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey East Got Game fans, it's Squinn here. Just to give you a heads up, we had a slight technical difficulty recording our most recent episode, so some of the introduction has been cut off, but you've probably only really missed 15 to 20 seconds of the intro.
Weekend Recap and NBL1 Commentary Schedule
00:00:17
Speaker
Where it starts in the conversation is that Lockie is recalling his weekend of watching some Waratah games that whet his appetite for the upcoming 2025 season. Enjoy!
00:00:40
Speaker
win game on saturday We won on Sunday.
00:00:45
Speaker
won games on Sunday, but I wasn't there. no That's okay. ah Well, I mean, maybe you've got lots of basketball and lots of time to catch up, I suppose. So um I'm glad that it whet your appetite for the NBL1 season that is finally going to kick off this weekend.
00:01:03
Speaker
Have you got any games to commentate this weekend? I have games to commentate every weekend, Squin, every weekend this season. That is correct. So, yes, I will be at Sutherland Basketball Stadium for the Crosstown Clash, round one, same as last year, Sutherland v Penrith.
00:01:22
Speaker
Oh, awesome. What time are the games kicking off down there at the Shark Tank? ah Probably 5 and 7, just like every other game is at the Shark Tank. At least that's – I mean, I'll be there at 10.30 in the morning, so I don't really need to know what time it starts.
00:01:37
Speaker
Oh, yeah, fair enough. You're part of the hardworking crew that gets the games together there on game day. Yes.
TCU Horned Frogs in Australia
00:01:45
Speaker
Very good. ah Tell me about that T-shirt you're wearing. All I can see is Horned Frogs and it sounds familiar, but I might need to jog my memory.
00:01:54
Speaker
ah So Horned Frogs are TCU. So they toured Australia... A long time ago. um It was, and they played ah out at Mount Druitt at Kevin Bet Stadium.
00:02:10
Speaker
And I went out there and their head coach, Reagan Peebley, gave me a t-shirt. Oh, that's really nice of them. Yeah. So that was, our yeah. So they knew me from my work with the pick and roll and yeah.
00:02:24
Speaker
So they gave me a t-shirt, which was very nice. Wonderful.
Women's 2025 Competition Overview
00:02:27
Speaker
And yeah, the TCU you women's team have just entered the Sweet 16 in the NCAAW March Madness for the first time in history. I'm really excited for them to see how far they can go.
00:02:40
Speaker
Have you been able to catch any of March Madness so far, Lockie? A lot. Yes, I am very well placed near the TV at work with the remote.
00:02:51
Speaker
So I'm ah flicking as I work between ah ESPN and ESPN2. Oh, yeah, it must be nice because while I have two monitors at work as well, I still haven't quite figured out how to get past the ah government security settings to be able to stream at work. So I might have to find a way to do it on my phone instead. The ah the joys of working in the sporting industry, they really don't mind if you're watching.
00:03:18
Speaker
Yeah, the the perks are unlimited. Yeah. Anyway, let's get into this episode. ah This week we'll be featuring the remaining rosters for the women's competition and for 2025.
00:03:32
Speaker
This will be our last episode featuring the rosters as well because as I just previouslyly previously mentioned, NBL 1 East will tip off this Saturday and so I Once ah round one is well and truly done, ESCOT game will resume regular programming with game reviews, previews and interviews
Women's Team Roster Updates and Signings
00:03:53
Speaker
as well. So, Lockie, how are you feeling ahead of this episode? The last eight women's teams we need to feature and thankfully in between recordings it looks like some more announcements have been made, even up to pretty much the last minute it looks like.
00:04:09
Speaker
ah Yes, because I had to send you two extra emails for graphics and then a couple more men's signings happened in the interim. So yes, teams are getting them out thick and fast. Yes, I'm very glad that we are held these teams till later and allowed them a bit more time and the majority have delivered because we've got a lot of much much fuller rosters than we had a couple of weeks ago, which is very good to see.
00:04:34
Speaker
So what's what's the men's signings that I've missed out on in the last, say, two to four hours? So Illawarra have announced an import. Matt Mims from South Dakota State. He is a a shooter and a defender, maybe ah maybe a bit of 3 and D, judging by the ah the description of him.
00:04:54
Speaker
And then Maitland have doubled up on the Parsons factor. They initially and officially announced Tom Parsons. Yeah, very good. double trouble.
00:05:08
Speaker
All right, great to see. And, yeah, interestingly, signings are still coming out in the week leading up to the first round. And, I mean, I think in between episodes as well, Hollensby have started to announce players nearly every day in the last in the last week or so.
00:05:25
Speaker
They certainly have. It's a... I mean, if you're at the Blitz, it's probably not news to you, but for anyone who didn't go and swelter in the Penrith Heat, plenty of news.
00:05:40
Speaker
Yes, excellent. ah All right, let's get stuck
Bankstown Bruins: Past Performance and Future Potential
00:05:43
Speaker
into it. So as I mentioned, it's going to be an episode where we feature the last eight teams of the women's competition. We're going to start with Bankstown Bruins.
00:05:55
Speaker
um I'm going to put up the...
00:05:59
Speaker
2024 season stats and facts, Lockie. Take us through it. um So 4-16, I think Bankstown, by their own admission, were point would say by their own admission that they were well below par for...
00:06:15
Speaker
the roster they had last year, four and 16, you know, finishing second last did not qualify for the finals, obviously um even had, you know, South Korean Olympian Park Ji-hyun on their roster for a considerable part of the season. She ended up leading in all three stats. ah But I mean, turn the ball over too much.
00:06:38
Speaker
Didn't rebound that well. Defensive rating wasn't that crash hot. Uh, So, and while their three point rate was high and their three point percentage was decent in terms of the league, it's probably you probably still want to be shooting a bit better from three point range if you're goingnna be shooting that many of them. So, a
00:07:04
Speaker
a lot of change to come and I think they are, mean, we know they've signed a couple of new imports and we'll see those on the next page. um But, yeah, i think I think they had the pieces to do better than they did last season.
00:07:17
Speaker
And
00:07:20
Speaker
i think that's that probably about sums it up, is to have, know, they had Cappy, they had Parky, they had, you know, Kiana, Davis-White. They had most of the players who were coming back that we'll see, and they still only managed to put four wins on the board. So i think, yeah, improvement to come for the Bankstown Bruins.
00:07:42
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. i agree. Probably a team yeah with that we would have expected a ah higher place on the ladder by the end of the season. Was this a team, though, that was kind of shrouded in injury and maybe that would have made a bit of an impact on the team dynamics and chemistry on court?
00:08:01
Speaker
Yeah, I think so. I don't think it yet. It never really got a chance to all come together for an extended period, which when you're fighting amongst that mid-pack, once you slip back, it's hard to ah ah to you know get back up the table. Yeah.
00:08:19
Speaker
Yes, there were there were problems, you know, issues that affected chemistry, dynamic, momentum. But, yeah, still fought four wins. not Not a great showing, unfortunately. But it just means time to move up.
00:08:38
Speaker
Yeah, and speaking of, um you know, rooms to improve offensive and defensive rebounding rate, as you mentioned. So speaking of, let's have a look at the roster because it looks like perhaps in terms of recruiting, a new head coach for the Bankstown Bruins women's program, Lauren Curtin.
00:08:58
Speaker
Looks like she's done some great recruiting here to help solve those rebounding problems with the two imports in Davida Dale and Jada Rice.
Key Players and Local Talent for Bankstown
00:09:07
Speaker
Yes, definitely. I mean, Davida, yes, she's known for – well, I mean, she she can help them on the defensive rebounding end because they won't have to rebound as much because she'll be getting so many steals to start with.
00:09:21
Speaker
ah But, yeah, we know she can rebound as well. And Jada Rice was putting up eleven and eleven for base yeah after Geelong last season after coming over from Norwood where she won central championship. And, um, Park Ji-Huan, she was their leader with 8.4 rebounds per game. Cappy Morrow had 6.9, but, uh, neither of them played the full complement of games.
00:09:48
Speaker
So, uh, They can have Jada Rice and Davida Dale both on court for a full 20-game slate. that are Those rebounding numbers are going to go way up because we know Davida can grab a board pretty well for a guard.
00:10:04
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. and And for those that may not know, Davida Dale has been playing over in the WSLB, which is the professional league in the UK. She's been playing for Manchester and she recorded a quadruple double against Durham during the recent season. She had 12 points 13 rebounds 14 assists and 10 steals i don't think i've lived long enough to personally witness quadruple double so that's some pretty uh outrageous statistics hopefully she'll be able to transfer that into the nbl1 east for bankstown especially um i think she's averaging oh she averaged 9.6 rebounds per game when she was with the comments last season
00:10:48
Speaker
13 is a slight improvement from that. um So, yeah, I think that she's certainly going to help the Bankstown Bruins in a lot of different ways.
00:10:58
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. And so you mentioned as well, ah Jada Rice, as you said, played Norwood, NBL1 Central and Geelong, NBL1 South and now come in the East.
00:11:09
Speaker
I mean, is it is it so too soon to kind of hope that she's going to be someone that will play nearly every conference? Because it's only North and West to go. mean, if she performs well for Bankstown, I'd rather much rather her stay in East.
00:11:25
Speaker
Fair. I mean, I can see a few teams that could value her strengths up here in North as well, but we won't get into that. Let's just see how she goes for the East and be happy that she's here, like you mentioned.
00:11:36
Speaker
um But a couple of ah very important local ah players have re-signed for the Bruins this season as well. Yeah, so they brought back Keanu Davis-White, Lily Austin, Sienna Titani, and the two Dunlops, most of whom, I mean, Titani started most games. Austin started just over half the games.
00:12:00
Speaker
So, and Keanu was coming off the bench, but, I mean, last year their imports were but pretty frontcourt, yeah.
00:12:13
Speaker
frontcourt focus, you know, Brittany Wright, Cappy, and then Park. So, but, I mean, we've we've all seen what Keanu Davis-White can do. Well, mostly we've just seen that one highlight of her flinging the ball at the backboard and it going in. But ah that's been making rounds on the socials lately. But, I mean, she averaged 4.7 rebounds per game in 20 minutes of action per game last year. So,
00:12:38
Speaker
yeah you take that up to her if she plays more minutes this year. She'll definitely be helping them on the boards as well. And we've just we've just got our friend Mal from Ball Don't Lie podcast who covers the NBL One North competition and obviously other local competitions, mostly NBL and WNBL, just saying we will take her in the north for sure, referring to Jada Rice. So um the seeds have been planted quite proactively for Jada Rice to play in the north.
00:13:11
Speaker
um And we've got Lockie Everett saying as well, just just stay out of it, Mal.
00:13:19
Speaker
Fair call. um And Bankstown, like we mentioned, announcing the two big imports initially to for this women's roster for 2025, a lot of key pieces in their local roster.
00:13:32
Speaker
Is it safe to say or safe to expect that a lot of the other local talent that we saw last season are going to return? i would hope so. i would hope to see probably the younger talent. I mean, think,
00:13:48
Speaker
I mean, I would love to see Bree go around again. um But that's just, I mean, that's probably aging myself as well to see some of these older names go around again. But I mean, it would be, I mean, you'd have to fully expect some of these younger names to go around again. Maybe Oluwapu, Jennifer Maile.
00:14:10
Speaker
But we'll see. It's only four days away. Yeah, and I'm really excited for Coach Lauren to um sink her teeth into this job as well. She has a wealth of coaching experience, especially a lot of um local women's basketball, you know, very successful with the New South Wales Metro teams as well. So, yeah, best of luck to her and we're very excited to see how Bankstown are going to end up this season.
00:14:33
Speaker
actually yeah sorry Sorry, actually I talked to Lauren at the Blitz. And, I mean, this Rostam make-up pretty much is what she said she wanted to do, is bring the Bankstown youngsters through and complement that relationship.
00:14:52
Speaker
with imports or big name pieces rather than a lot of big names from other clubs with, you know, a few homegrown players getting a bit of a run. so and this roster is shaping up to do just that, to give the Bankstown homegrown players a pathway through and give them the best chance to shine alongside a couple of pieces that are really going to help so those younger players on court as well.
00:15:22
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely.
Central Coast Crusaders: Season Review and Roster Changes
00:15:23
Speaker
i love that idea, keeping it local and sustainable as well um for your women's program to come because if you invest in your local talent and treat them well, they're more likely to stick around and you're more likely to keep having a program.
00:15:37
Speaker
Exactly. Very good. All right. Now we're going to go coastal. Mm-hmm. heading over to the Central Coast Crusaders, some of their 2024 season facts. They ended the season with a 12-8 record, finishing six overall.
00:15:54
Speaker
They lost the semifinal to Manly Warringah, unfortunately, with the likes of Leilani Mitchell um being their leading scorer, averaging 17.8 points per game. Michaela Domkins averaging 11.7 rebounds per game and Leilani Mitchell with 6.1 assists per game.
00:16:12
Speaker
now This is only specifically in the context of Michaela being Michaela, but 11.7 rebounds per game, i I expected that to be higher.
00:16:25
Speaker
mean... i mean that that that's the mark of her as a player isn't it yeah when you're like oh 11.7 rebounds per game for anyone else is is pretty great but like for Michaela I'm like that's still really great but I was like oh pretty sure you can average 20 like are you okay what's going on no I kid I kid um But, yeah, they had they had a relatively successful season, like a really great roster. It was Rachel Mayampar's first season as head coach. She did a great job coaching and recruiting and keeping her crew together, so to speak.
00:17:05
Speaker
So a lot of strengths there, but also the rooms to improve are kind of surprising to me too. What do you think? Yeah. I it's funnily enough. It's one of the strengths that surprises me in that their three point percentage. Yes, it was fourth in the league, but I thought a team with Leilani Mitchell and jazz for Kodila and Danica row on it would have shot a higher percentage.
00:17:32
Speaker
Uh, Leilani shot 33% from three last season jazz shot 32%. Um, and yet they still finished up fourth in the league. ah Net rating, is 4.2 and it's fifth, but the four teams above them, there is um like a massive jump in the net rating. I think the team the team in fourth was in double figures.
00:17:56
Speaker
So um whilst, yes, it's good they're ahead of 11 other teams, there's still a little bit of a jump to the to the next teams. um Room to improve?
00:18:11
Speaker
I don't think much really... stands out when I think of Central Coast and who they have on their roster. um Maybe, I mean, the points off turnovers and the fast break points are both pretty low, but those go hand-in hand in hand.
00:18:27
Speaker
And I'm looking at their pace was around middle of the pack, but um yeah, I don't think a lot really surprises me here apart from I thought they could shoot it better and I mean, if they shot that percentage last year, ah have a feeling things might get better this year.
00:18:49
Speaker
i don't think they could go around two seasons in a row with players, with shooters of that caliber shooting that percentage as a team. Yeah, to be honest, the one that I was most surprised about was fast break points because ah just it's that Crusaders brand of basketball to be really quick, the run and gun, always traditionally a program that kind of used to champion ah strong game in transition. Yeah.
00:19:16
Speaker
And I know that the personnel they had last season had the potential to to do that as well. I mean, you could get the likes of um Jazz Falkadir and Dinah Karo in the fast break in Leilani. Any combination in the fast break is going to be lethal. But, yeah, I think that's why I was surprised with the fast break points or perhaps it was times where um maybe they just didn't have as many fast break opportunities depending on lots of the context of the different games. are
00:19:48
Speaker
um I think what were they? Can you remember what their turnover rate? I wonder if the turnover rate may be played into that a bit. Yeah, so their opposition turnover rate was low, which meant they didn't get many points off turnovers, didn't have many fast break points. Yeah.
00:20:04
Speaker
Yeah. And so let's have a look at the roster now, how the roster's shaping up here for 2025. Only ah five players officially announced for the Central Coast Crusaders so far.
00:20:18
Speaker
um Obviously hoping that they're going to have more than five players take the court. And considering that they played at the Blitz, eye imagine that they will be.
00:20:29
Speaker
There are two players on that TBA list that I'm pretty confident are going to be added to the current roster that's been announced. But... So far the roster's looking pretty good. What do you think?
00:20:40
Speaker
i It is looking really good. And I'm just going to say, it's Leilani and Michaela coming back. but It is Leilani and Michaela. I mean, ah we we can confidently say they're going to be playing for Crusaders because we saw footage of them playing at the Blitz.
00:20:55
Speaker
I'm sure you saw them with your own eyes playing at the Blitz. I did. I even said i said hi to Michaela and had a chat with her at the Blitz. There you go. And look, Michaela and Leilani wouldn't be playing at something like that just for fun unless like unless it was preparing for a season and they were committed. So I think we can say that they're added to the roster.
00:21:16
Speaker
um But even even with my ah without Leilani and Michaela, We've got Jazz Falkadir coming back, Muffy Loda, another hometown hero returning for 2025, Bronte Moore, cemented hometown hero as well.
00:21:32
Speaker
But Ty Wakeland Grey has come from Rockhampton. where Muffy played last season up here in NBL One North. And she is a hustler.
00:21:42
Speaker
She is great. She is so handy. She hustles a lot of loose balls. ah She'll be great contesting rebounds. um Great kind of in that 3-4 position but able to guard the post as well. So I'm really excited to see how she can flourish in the East.
00:21:57
Speaker
And then, of course, Jasmine Simmons, who we've talked about in our Believe the Hype episode. Yes, well, you ah mentioned the ah fast break points being low, Squinn. If they are utilize Jasmine Simmons correctly, that number's not going to be low anymore.
00:22:14
Speaker
Yeah, when you've got ah Jazz Falkadir, Muffy Loader, Leilani Mitchell that can all throw a hell of a pass even from three-quarter court and you've got Jazz Simmons on the fly, mean, it's just going to make it really easy for them, isn't it?
00:22:29
Speaker
It's going to feel like ah hopefully make them feel like it's that local comp where all you need to do is grab a defensive rebound, throw it down the court, and you've got people willing to run for days and make layups.
00:22:40
Speaker
Although at local comp, it's usually the players who didn't bother getting back on defense that you're throwing it to. Yeah, look, and and I was usually the person more than happy to play defense if I didn't have to run and make fast break layups. If they want to run, they can run.
00:22:53
Speaker
I'm happy to rebound and throw. ah you know, stick to your strengths. Yeah. um But yes, and we've got Lockie Everett on our Instagram live chat saying, teams like this make my life difficult when creating preview content.
00:23:09
Speaker
I can only imagine the stress of having to find some kind of content when you want to preview a team and only five players are announced. But from that TBA list, are we expecting anyone from that TBA list to be announced anytime soon?
00:23:24
Speaker
Well, Kushler Alpen, think Casey Quigley and Sammy McCubbin were all named in youth league teams. And think I saw, I know I saw Casey at the Blitz.
00:23:37
Speaker
Don't remember if I saw. mean, I watched seven games. Cut me some slack. um But I think Christina Moore is headed elsewhere.
00:23:49
Speaker
Watch this space. Mmm. Insert eyes emoji here to watch this space. And interestingly, on the outs list, ah have we, Dana Carot and Gabby Turnbull ah and Michaela Miller definitely on the outs list because they are playing Waratah League for Central Coast Waves.
00:24:10
Speaker
Yes. Is that correct? yeah yeah Yeah. Yes. A few left last season to go play for the Waves and a few others have decided to play for the Waves this year. ah Yes.
00:24:23
Speaker
Yeah. Coached by Johnny and Paris. and paris at the helm. So former Crusaders themselves. Now you've put Taryn Marnie as an out, understandably, as we'll get into Hornsby later that she has been announced to play for Hornsby.
00:24:38
Speaker
But you've you've confidently put Nicole Hutchins in and out, and maybe we'll get to that one when we get to that team as well, right? but She was in the photo. She was in it.
00:24:50
Speaker
We screenshot it and we saw it. but We tagged her. Yeah. But based on this roster so far, um we already spoke about perhaps the potential to improving their fast break points.
00:25:04
Speaker
um Are you expecting anything really different from the roster so far compared to last season? I mean, they've lost a few players, but the majority of the minutes and what makes the team tick is coming back.
00:25:22
Speaker
Jazz Fogandau, Mitchell, Domkins. That's what, you know, makes the team run. I mean, Cezi Matthews still on the TBA list, I think, injured.
00:25:36
Speaker
And Darnica, those were the other two major minutes. But your top three players in minutes last season are all coming back. And you bring back Muffy, it's like just – she just slots straight back in. She, know,
00:25:51
Speaker
Yeah, so I don't really expect a whole lot to change given who is coming back, even though it's only five, maybe seven announced so far.
00:26:03
Speaker
Yeah, I think my only kind of question mark is, well, I've got two question marks. One, with Danica and Sezi Matthews out, um or look, to be fair, Sezi Matthews TBA, hopefully she'll be able to make her way back to court this season.
00:26:19
Speaker
They're two big scoring powerhouses as well, inside and outside. So I think that they're going to be big shoes to fill. um Other question mark is that Nicole Hutchins out, who's going to be dominating the front court, who's going to be there big that's going to be really kind of ah cementing some presence inside the key for them. ah I'm going to put up a ah picture of,
00:26:47
Speaker
one of a drag queen from RuPaul's Drag Race and this is there in one of their infamous lines. Where are the jokes? And that's what I say to myself with a lot of these rosters when I think, where are the bigs?
00:27:02
Speaker
Where are they? I mean, Michaela's a ah bona fide foreman and she owns that position wherever she plays, arguably the best in that position in our conference.
00:27:14
Speaker
But five, who's going to be filling those shoes for the Crusaders?
00:27:20
Speaker
Yeah, it is. I mean, the league is trending smaller this season, I will say that. But still, you want to have some paint presence, some real, you knock them down, drag them out.
00:27:34
Speaker
battle in the paint kind of player, dominate. Yeah, so hopefully the Crusaders have another signing up their sleeve that we can get excited about. and i mean But I like, you know, TikTok tips off in five days. So time will tell. I guess we'll only really know once ah the first couple of weeks have been done and dusted to to see what these rosters look like.
00:27:59
Speaker
But let's head over now.
Hills Hornets: Challenges and New Additions
00:28:01
Speaker
we are going to go to the Hills Hornets, with your lovely graphic here incorporating the green and the red of the Hills Hornets colours, take us through the 2024 season facts and stats. so So 6-14, finished 12th.
00:28:24
Speaker
I think another team not as... drastically as Bankstown but probably could have done something better considering their top scorer Emma Carey 16 points per game they had Meg Jefferson on the roster and Rachel Macklemore so two imports and Meg Jefferson um probably would have been hoping to do a bit more uh
00:28:51
Speaker
I guess
00:28:54
Speaker
I mean, the defensive rating, that's the thing. Just defensively, just, I mean, second worst defensive rating in the league. that's That's tough to come back from.
00:29:05
Speaker
um
00:29:08
Speaker
And, I mean, it shows up. They committed a lot of fouls, which sends the opposition to the line. They didn't get to the line very often. um They gave up second chance points despite the fact they didn't have a terrible defensive rebounding rate.
00:29:24
Speaker
um
00:29:27
Speaker
I just just didn't quite all come together for Hills last season. and and so i I just think they were probably just a real proper like floor general short, maybe.
00:29:45
Speaker
Yeah, I think they had some really good pieces to put together, but they just seemed a little bit out of sync throughout the season with putting those said pieces together. I remember Meg Jefferson unfortunately getting herself in foul trouble a lot last season, and that obviously wasn't good for her consistency or perhaps and perhaps the team's consistency on court.
00:30:06
Speaker
But when they started to find their groove in the back end of the season, they looked really, really good. But I think you're right. They just missed that in one, ah like ah another big piece, whether that was another big inside or another one dominating rebounds or another. i mean, their scoring wasn't too bad between Carey and McLemore, um but they just needed one more piece, maybe perhaps like a really strong point guard just to pull everything together and play someone like Hannah Griffin as a shooting guard instead.
00:30:37
Speaker
And it's funny you mentioned Meg Jefferson being in foul trouble a lot. She averaged, well, 84 fouls in 19 games. So that's just under 4.5. So when you can only get five, that means she's yeah probably going into the fourth quarter on three or four fouls most games.
00:30:59
Speaker
And I guess maybe if they had... i mean, it's one of those things where if you know they only have one real paint presence... take it at her and get her in foul trouble. Yeah, that's right. yeah and Yeah. um That's a really high average of fouls. I really feel for her though because it you just kind of feel as well sometimes when you're that player that there's going to be a target on your back every game and then it can mentally be –
00:31:30
Speaker
a weird slot, like a bit of a slot that you feel like you have to get out of where whatever you try and do. And obviously you're not purposely fouling, but every time it happens, it just kind of perpetuates those negative feelings and it's going to be really, really hard to shake.
00:31:44
Speaker
And then, yeah, you're not going to be able to contribute as much as you like. So I really felt for her in that situation. ah But it's ah the roster, though, featured in these stats and facts um is going to be quite different for 2025.
00:32:00
Speaker
And shout out again to Hills for their great online content when they're announcing their roster for both the men's and women's team. Roster's looking pretty, pretty, pretty healthy so far, Lockie.
00:32:13
Speaker
It certainly is. And yes, shout out to Hills for those awesome videos. And I mean, they got, i to be fair, I think we could have done them in week two instead of another team because they had seven or eight announced just so i did some other teams.
00:32:30
Speaker
um I mean, this roster has got some serious additions and welcome backs.
00:32:39
Speaker
Yeah, and we have Lockie Everett again commenting on Instagram saying, Shez will cook, mark my words. ah I expect nothing less from Shez.
00:32:52
Speaker
Me too. I mean, Cherie Kalea back home. I mean, it's homecoming season um and she could be the homecoming queen.
00:33:04
Speaker
Oh, very nice, very nice. I see what you did there. We might have to have to snip that one up ah for for us to relive that moment. But, so yes, certainly a huge signing. ah I bet the whole club of Hills Hornets were just elated to learn that Chez was coming back.
00:33:24
Speaker
And it looks like a few other new additions to the Hills Hornets family Nikki Warner coming from Canberra, Jade Kirasome coming from NBL1 North where she played with Logan last season.
00:33:38
Speaker
And there were a couple of returns ah that you mentioned before. talk me ah tell Tell me more about them. Well, obviously, Cherie, who has been playing in the WNBL for a good few years and tearing it up at Mount Gambier.
00:33:52
Speaker
I mean, first name on the team sheet, obviously. Get the rock in her hands and let her score, facilitate whatever she needs to do. But the comeback, the other welcome back, Maddie Hare.
00:34:07
Speaker
Jeez, it's been a while. So took a break from basketball, kind of getting herself set up, um
00:34:16
Speaker
She's like like seemingly half of NBL1 women is a personal trainer, fitness instructor, whatever the correct term is. And much like Josie Borman, she has got that absolutely humming, judging by our socials.
00:34:32
Speaker
ah And, yeah, now she's back. So, obviously, she was pretty underrated um back in the old Waratah days when she was, I mean, just...
00:34:46
Speaker
I think people, like she played older than she was. And I think being so heavily invested in your fitness and your strength helps that. So she'll play she'll play in the front court for them. She used to, I remember watching her and Taylor Moss or Taylor Cottes at the time just together for Hills. They were absolutely elite together. Just the athleticism of Cottes getting down court and Maddie Hare just doing her work.
00:35:13
Speaker
in the front court was absolutely electric to electric to watch. I'm just, I mean, it's it's just a bonus to get a homegrown player back who we know it can be that good.
00:35:25
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. I remember when ah um Maddie Hare and Shez were playing Youth League when they won the championship many moons ago on their home court as well. I thought she was a standout.
00:35:38
Speaker
ah So I'm really glad that she's made her way back to basketball. Going to be very handy in that four, maybe five spot, maybe? ah do you think someone like Ella Luasuasu is going to be more in that five spot?
00:35:52
Speaker
I would love to see Ella get an extended run in the front court and Matty. i mean, Matty's not a five. Yeah. If she has to play there, so be it.
00:36:04
Speaker
But, um yeah, I would hope to see El-Lawar Sahu get a more extended run there. We'll see. I mean, they were trying, you know, anyone and everyone at our certain points last year. So just having more options is always a good thing, especially in light of Cassandra Pentney announcing her retirement and Meg Jefferson on the move to Newcastle.
00:36:31
Speaker
So... certainly are Yes, you go. Sorry. Sorry, just so certainly, you know, work to do on the boards in the front court there.
00:36:43
Speaker
Yeah, i think so and I think with the likes of Warner and Kalea and Kurosame, I think their defensive rating automatically is going to go up. And I think if they're going to be in the backcourt on defence setting the tone, then the frontcourt better be ready.
00:37:01
Speaker
to match that tone because otherwise they'll just be letting the whole system down. And I can't imagine based on ah the people who announced on this roster that they're going to be um playing for themselves or selfishly or taking a back seat. So, yeah, I think things are looking, the tides are going to be turning for Hills Hornets in 2025. I'm expecting a very, very culturally united, quick ah quick young team.
00:37:26
Speaker
I'm just hoping that they're able to um find their chemistry on offences as well and be a little bit more more consistent with scoring. But, yeah, I think their defensive rating is just going to already go up just based on who they got on paper.
00:37:40
Speaker
ah Oh, 100%. Yeah, I mean, but putting myself out there, but once it oh like many teams, I look at and go, okay, this team asked to get has to be moving up the table this year.
00:37:57
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. The problem is I keep saying that about so many teams that eventually someone's not going to. Yeah. Yeah, look, we just want everyone to have fun and do their best, you know, and have a good time.
00:38:12
Speaker
just want to see everyone succeed equally but also have a definite winner. Yeah. We want everyone to be equally good, but we don't want a five-way tie for fourth place.
00:38:23
Speaker
ah yes Yeah, that's right. Yeah. I'm sure the avid listeners of East Scott Game are aware of our contradictions, but they probably also know that our contradictions are created from a good place of well wishes and just wanting everyone to do their best.
00:38:41
Speaker
And, I mean, it just speaks to how well the league's improving. You look at a roster and go, oh, yeah, this team's moving up the table. And then you go and look and it's like, oh, well, all the teams ahead of them are getting better as well. Yeah, that's right.
00:38:51
Speaker
I think you're right. I think it is a bit of a testament to the league improving as well, going into, what, the third, fourth year now that we're officially NBL 1? Yes, fourth season.
00:39:04
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. And um it's really I'm really happy to see the league as a whole just go strength to strength in those first four years because we know there was a lot of uncertainty and doubt when Waratah went into NBL1. But look at us, flourishing. Yeah.
00:39:22
Speaker
All right, we'll get off our little so our little ah pleasant little soapbox there and head over to the Hornsby Keringai Spiders.
Hornsby Spiders: Team Spirit and Roster Updates
00:39:30
Speaker
They had a win-loss record of 5-15, finishing 14th overall.
00:39:35
Speaker
They didn't qualify for finals, obviously. Their top scorer, rebounder, and assist maker was Jessie May Hall, averaging 20.0 points per game, rebounds per game, and per game absolute baller and also youth player of the year for 2024 or however that award is now presented uh second in steals as well that's a huge flex for this Hornsby team but obviously some room to improve as well Lockie
00:40:10
Speaker
ah Yeah, I mean, it comes with the territory of ah finishing 14th. Yeah, obviously net rate is gonna be low when you lose a lot of games. I put that in there more because I didn't want to use um offensive and defensive because they were both low.
00:40:27
Speaker
um Defensive rebounding rate, ah that's real low. um I was hoping that that would be um a little bit higher, especially having, you know, an import in Iana Bay, picking up eight and a half rebounds per game. And Jesse May picking up 7.2 of which 5.8 per game were on the defensive end. So I was hoping that would be a bit higher.
00:40:51
Speaker
Assist rate, I'm... It's definitely a room to improve, ah but that comes from having more scoring options. If Jessie Mayhall's got the ball in her hands, many times the best option is for her to just take off, go to the rack.
00:41:11
Speaker
And she looked even better at it at the blitz. so if they have more options, the assist rate goes up, but...
00:41:22
Speaker
I would love to see these stats broken down and just have the last seven or eight weeks of the season because they went on an absolute tear at one point and they looked i properly good um at certain points in the season.
00:41:42
Speaker
So that kind of Hornsby team is getting more way more than five wins. Hornsby team we saw at other points in the season, It is not.
00:41:55
Speaker
and No, and I'm pretty confident that they went down to Canberra to play COE and beat them on their home court. And didn't Jessie May have a near triple-double that game?
00:42:06
Speaker
Yeah, do you think she might have ah been wanting to ah send a message to them? Yeah, that was, i mean, when the planets align for something like that, for someone who's obviously, you know, Jessie May, obviously one of the best Australian, well, a best athletes in her age group, obviously would look be very welcome into the COE program but hasn't entered for, you know, whatever reason, which is fine.
00:42:33
Speaker
ah But, yeah, just to go down there, send a bit of a message. ah We just love it when those things happen. You can't write it better. You cannot write the script better. No, it's quite good, yes.
00:42:44
Speaker
And I think just going back on your points about ah assist rate, I mean, if your field goal percentage, you're only 12th in the league for field goal percentage. I mean, those two are going to go hand in hand, right? So you start making more shots and your assist rate is going to go up a bit higher. Yeah.
00:42:59
Speaker
I think based on what we saw last season, they're all still quite young, and they all but they all still have pretty sound team concepts. um And they looked like they had a ball playing with each other. So a lot of those things can be really hard to cultivate at this level.
00:43:15
Speaker
ah So I think that they're definitely showing some promising signs for 2025 if they're able to build on that, on what they created last year. Yeah.
00:43:26
Speaker
Yeah. And I think it's easy to look like you're having fun playing together when you're winning. And the fact that they still, i look they're all coming back.
00:43:39
Speaker
They all obviously want to be there together, despite the fact they finished 5-15. That's a lot harder to cultivate, is to still look like you want to be out there together when you're losing.
00:43:51
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. And I think that can that's something that you can't that would be really hard to coach or instill in your players at any age group. And it's not I don't even know if it's really a coachable thing, but...
00:44:03
Speaker
Yeah, full credit to them for showing up their absolute best every round. So let's see how this roster is shaping up. So, so far they've announced Ashley Thacker, Sarah Cherry, and Dayla Walker. And Kira Hudson announced today as returning.
00:44:21
Speaker
Taryn Marnie has gone from the crew back to the spiders, Lockie. What do you think about this signing? Oh, I... I like it. I think everyone knows that I'm ah quite the fan of the ah Taryn Marnie, dating back to her North's Youth League days.
00:44:38
Speaker
uh, yeah, I think she'll, she'll add plenty at the defensive end for them, uh, which is, uh, obviously, I mean, there are off their defensive rating definitely hurt them more than their, uh, their offensive rating last year. So that's, that's a, uh, a good addition. I mean, the outs list is pretty short and two of them are effectively forced.
00:45:07
Speaker
Uh, So, yeah, I mean, it's it's still only five players announced, but it's what it's one solid in so far, which I'm happy about.
00:45:21
Speaker
ah Yeah, and ah were you able to hear any word on the ground about whether Ayana Bay is going to be making your return? Word on the ground suggests it's a yes.
00:45:34
Speaker
Very good. Yeah. Yes, a few players on that list look like they're coming back. um I would say maybe even the majority, just judging by people getting tagged in photos or who I scoped out at the Blitz.
00:45:51
Speaker
ah But Hornsby, I will give you credit. We were needling you about your player announcements and you've come through with the goods. So I will not give away all your secrets today because oh you've got...
00:46:05
Speaker
four days left to ah put some more announcements out. Yeah, we won't spoil it for everyone. And, you know, props to the social media team at Hornsby as well. Those graphics of the player announcements are looking really nice and clean and fresh.
00:46:19
Speaker
So worth the wait, especially just to get some confirmation that some of our favourites from Hornsby are returning. And now we did allude to a big question mark that hasn't been officially announced, but we did see in a lot of social media posts and including the photo that they used to announce Tarimani signing, Nicole Hutchins is returning to the Spiders after playing with the Crusaders for the last two to three seasons.
00:46:45
Speaker
That's got to be a big in for the Spiders. Yes, quite quite literally. and i i i will'm I'm going to stop making that joke when teams sign centres. I swear I will eventually stop making that joke.
00:47:01
Speaker
But I feel like, you know, fair trade before when you mentioned that we won't ah reveal the whole roster, ah you know, to to as respect for Hornsby, but they did actually post a picture of Hutch playing in that. So I think that's fair that we give that one away.
00:47:19
Speaker
Yeah. Probably the worst kept secret in the NBL One East. Yes.
00:47:25
Speaker
But certainly expecting them to improve from that 5-15 record, ah especially now that if Ayana Bay is coming back, Nicole Hutchins is coming back, Taron Marnie.
00:47:36
Speaker
Some really key pieces in the front court and on the defensive end that I think Hornsby needed. Yeah. i Just um before we we move on, just um looking at the outs list, think Courtney Murphy, I actually, ah first time I've ever had to put AFLW as a reason for a player leaving a club because she's down at Essendon. And um sadly, Serena Waters announced her retirement due to her injuries.
00:48:05
Speaker
um Serena, I mean, I've known Serena since.
00:48:10
Speaker
God, how long? I don't even know. um But, yeah, so just hu just hate seeing players, you having to retire so young because of injuries.
00:48:25
Speaker
Yeah, but I'm sure whatever Serena chooses to do next in her life, she will be highly successful at.
00:48:34
Speaker
Very nicely put, Lockie. ah But, yeah, so are we ready to move on Illawarra Hawks? Certainly am.
00:48:46
Speaker
Let's start with some stats
Illawarra Hawks: Defensive Strengths and Offensive Challenges
00:48:48
Speaker
and facts. And it must be absolutely, ah vibes must be really high down in Wollongong after the Illawarra Hawks NBL team won in game five. I wish I was there for that.
00:49:01
Speaker
ah But, yeah, let's focus on this Illawarra Hawks women's team, their 2024 stats and facts. So they finished with a win-loss record of nine and eleven finishing 10th overall.
00:49:13
Speaker
um unfortunately not qualifying for finals, but certainly flirted with the idea throughout the season. And top scorer was Elodent, averaging 12.6 points per game.
00:49:28
Speaker
Emilia Garcia-Leon with 7.5 rebounds per game. And Lauren Gatwood with 3.8 assists per game. ah lot of...
00:49:39
Speaker
ah A lot of room to improvement, especially on the offensive end, Lockie. But it looks like some of their um defensive ah play last season was more in their strengths, would you say?
00:49:53
Speaker
ah definitely, yeah. I mean, it was funny. When I saw that assist rate, i was like, it didn't really sound too – it didn't sound great.
00:50:06
Speaker
Like, it didn't sound right. But they assist a lot. They just weren't scoring a lot. that's what So their assist rate is high, but their actual raw assist numbers are like eighth.
00:50:17
Speaker
But when they you know when they do score the ball, it generally comes from an assist. But, yeah, I mean, um they turned it over a bit too much and...
00:50:28
Speaker
let the opposition score off turnovers far too much. But yeah, defensively, they were... I mean, defensive rating of 87.9, that's pretty good. Let's let's see who it's ahead of.
00:50:43
Speaker
Like some good teams it's ahead of. eighty seven point nine 87.9. It's a ahead of Comets. It's ahead of COE. It's ahead of Central Coast. It's ahead of Sutherland. It's bettered only by Newcastle, Manly, North, and Aubrey-Wodonga.
00:51:00
Speaker
that's Wow, that's that's great. That's outstanding. Yeah. It was just their offensive rating was even lower. And, yeah, so that's, I mean, that's pretty much it. They were great on defense and not so great on offense.
00:51:20
Speaker
And in the end, it just fell the wrong way for them. Nine and 11 and... and you know, just outside the finals. I mean, eventually one spot outside the finals because COE had to pull out.
00:51:34
Speaker
Yeah, that's true. That's true. yeah and I think ah when you say that your top scorer is only averaging 12.6 points per game. I mean, already that's a sign that, hey, perhaps our offense needs a little bit of improving.
00:51:50
Speaker
ah do Did you watch many of their games? are you able to recall on perhaps what the main issues around their scoring was? Was it in a sense of being organized in the half court, just essentially missing way too many shots or not taking the right shots. What do you think were some of the elements that hindered their offensive performance?
00:52:12
Speaker
I seem to remember, and I'm going to use HoopsDB here and try to find, yeah, I feel like their shooting percentage like from close range wasn't that crash hot.
00:52:28
Speaker
um So not just the two-point percentage, but even like really close to the basket wasn't as great as it could have been. And to be fair, Ella Dan averaged 12.6, but they had four players average double digits.
00:52:40
Speaker
um But no one going, you know, really above and beyond, as you as you said, Squint. And i mean Ella only shot 27% from the field last season as your top scorer. And I guess that's,
00:52:58
Speaker
That's probably, yeah know, it's taking you 12.7 shots to score 12.6 points per game, that's kind of tough. But, I mean, a lot ah lot rests on rested on Ella Dent's shoulders throughout that season.
00:53:15
Speaker
She was always bringing the ball up. She was expected to be a scorer, you know, and expected to facilitate as well. So,
00:53:26
Speaker
yeah, I just... I think ah to i think they they gave themselves opportunities. They just didn't take advantage of them very well. I think that bears out in their effective field goal percentage from last season. and And speaking of the high demands placed on Ella Dent in the 2024 season, correct me if I'm wrong, but unfortunately she ended the season with an injury. ah she Was that in the final game?
00:53:53
Speaker
think. She played every game. think it was perhaps in the very final game. the The load just got the better of her in the end, unfortunately. and Well, she was the only player she was the only player on the team to average over 30 minutes per game.
00:54:09
Speaker
Couple averaged. Asher Phillips averaged 29, but, yeah, for the most part, yeah she was yeah yeah, she was the only one to actually go over 30 per game. Well, let's see who's coming back for the 2025 season. so the two you just mentioned in Asher, Phillips and Ella Dent have been announced to return for 2025, along with Ruby McDonald, Lauren Gatwood are also returning.
00:54:35
Speaker
A lot of familiar faces, another team where a lot of familiar faces are coming back and a lot of local talent as well, Lockie. Yeah, so, i mean, the TBA a list remains long, but, I mean,
00:54:49
Speaker
Eight of those names, seven of those names were there last year and Emerson McRae was, well, she is an Illawarra Junior who's played two years of under-18s New South Wales country and was in the New South Wales under-20s team this year. So ah plenty of young talent. I mean, Imogen Thompson and Charlotte Giles are already pretty much part of the rotation at this stage and I'm sure Emerson McRae won't be far away either.
00:55:18
Speaker
And on the TBA list, I'm pretty sure Amelia Garcia-Leon has signed somewhere else overseas, so I don't think she'll be returning to NBL1 East.
00:55:29
Speaker
um I haven't heard any news about Arndorf, Calvar, Blewett or McDonald's. Have you heard any more news about this roster on the ground, Lockie? This is one roster I haven't heard much about, if anything. and Well, can you pick up your phone and call some people or text some people? um But, yeah, I mean, every year it feels like Georgia Ordorff just ends up playing anyway.
00:55:58
Speaker
It doesn't matter if she gets announced. It might not be round one, but she turns up eventually. But, I mean, we say that about players like... um Brianna, Bri Mimone and Jadine Barnes from Bankstown. They just kept coming back and coming back.
00:56:13
Speaker
That's the Hennessy's for our older listeners. Yeah. Thank you. Good to point of reference. That is the Hennessy's. Yeah. You know, it's like, ah yeah, they'll keep coming back. They'll keep coming back. But eventually they, you know, they don't.
00:56:26
Speaker
So we'll see what happens there. And the same goes with like Courtney Jardine. And I know Lauren Calver, you know, Hospital shift work sometimes gets the better of you. It gets the better of your athletic career, unfortunately.
00:56:42
Speaker
um So I guess TBA, but I mean, Illawarra, they've been pumping out the player announcements recently. So we'll probably watch this space.
00:56:55
Speaker
And the men's program have been getting a lot of love with their signings. I was hoping that the love was going to be shared in the women's signings, you know, may perhaps another import or another big name from another conference joining the roster. ah But I guess, you know, never say never.
00:57:12
Speaker
Perhaps not still too late to add someone like that. Well, I mean, they've got the ex-Darwin Salty's connection. Is there anyone they can, anyone left up there that they can... ah They can grab maybe because they've done that um on the men's side already.
00:57:32
Speaker
Yeah, I think from memory the main players or the players getting the most amount of minutes for the Darwin Salties in the women's team last season have already very quickly signed elsewhere. That is what I thought.
00:57:45
Speaker
Yes. Yeah, they're just thinking about who who those players were. Yeah. Well, see, play as a coaches have connections and sometimes you just get offered a player by an agent.
00:57:58
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. That's right. and That wouldn't be a bad pick-up either. So, yeah, hoping this Illawarra women's team can improve on their offensive ah efficiency in the 2025 season. Perhaps some ah outstanding youth like Emerson McRae may be just the the spark that they need.
00:58:17
Speaker
Well, if... Jardine, Garcia Leon and Ordorf don't come back. She's going to be getting minutes.
00:58:27
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. Yeah, yeah. Just let her cook, I say. Let her cook. Let her cook. so Yeah. Let her get the experience.
00:58:37
Speaker
ah Yeah, that's right. i mean, have you got to lose?
Inner West Bulls: Overcoming a Tough Season
00:58:41
Speaker
Okay, let's move on to the next team being the Inner West Bulls women's side. So in the 2024 season, they finished with a win-loss record of 1-19, finishing 16. And they obviously didn't lose the elimination final to Comets.
00:58:58
Speaker
Yeah, no, they definitely didn't lose the limit. That's okay. Look, I mean, we still are very appreciative all this of all this work you put into these slides, Lockie. So one line, one incorrect line is is okay.
00:59:14
Speaker
ah The top scorer was Piaf Gabriel with 14.5 points per game, but I think she only really played, you know, what, half of the season after some...
00:59:27
Speaker
Creative differences, shall we say, the team dynamic. And then Maggie Robinson came in, I think, as Gabriel left, ended up being top rebounder for the season, averaging 11.0 rebounds per game.
00:59:44
Speaker
And Shiho Yamazaki leading the assist with 3.2 per game. Understandably, um per game ah understandably Plenty of room to improve for this Inno West Bulls women's program.
00:59:59
Speaker
The highlight being an opportunity free throw percentage. They were fifth. Tell us a little bit more about that. I was looking for things I were good at. yeah I mean, it just means, I mean, the opposition free throw percentage, you know, that's just means, and the opposition three-point percentage actually is more of a you know, stat that matters. I mean, at least that, yeah it probably means that they're at least defending the three-point line and defending the perimeter pretty well.
01:00:26
Speaker
um Fouls committed low, that can be kind of a r ah smokescreen. It's like, well, you're not committing fouls because you're committing playing good defense or was it because you were getting blown by?
01:00:38
Speaker
so Yeah, yeah. But I think as we'll see on the next page, one name is enough to ah change a lot of what we're seeing here.
01:00:51
Speaker
That is? Talia Tupaya, who has already dragged, or not dragged, I keep saying dragged, not dragged, but very much led Inner West to victory at the Blitz over Comets.
01:01:06
Speaker
So... i ah Yes. that that a lot as As i say said about Penrith, they're better 1-12, but they don't have Talia. Inner West of only announced one player, but it is Talia.
01:01:21
Speaker
the Yeah. So, you know, wind that up. Yeah. What did they say about Maya Moore? Maya Moore and four middle schoolers would still be a good team.
01:01:34
Speaker
Yeah. yeah
01:01:38
Speaker
Is this going to be the case for the Inner West Bulls Women's Program for 2025, Talia and for Year 10 students? Well, we joke, but word is they are more signing. I mean, i watched them with Blitz. They had a few names that were in this TBA list. um i won't give it away, but yes, they did have a few names in that TBA list. Yeah.
01:02:05
Speaker
And, yeah, they apparently they've got more signings coming and signings that will make a difference. So, yeah, expect much improvement from the Interwest Bulls.
01:02:20
Speaker
I sure hope so. ah And I know that you want to try and keep some of the lists from some of the people named on the TBA list. I want to try and keep that under wraps. But can you give us maybe two names that was on that TBA list that you saw at the Blitz?
01:02:36
Speaker
I saw Bianca Small. Very good. I know Georgia Nowak is moved clubs because we found out that she ah listens to East Scott game whilst driving up to training.
01:02:49
Speaker
Love that for her. Shout out to Georgia Nowak, someone who I also had at Country Cup when she was under 18. So she's a New South Wales country girl at heart, which we love.
01:03:04
Speaker
um And Zoe Ralston looks to be back as well. So there you go There's two. Very good. Very good two to pick as well, Bianca Small and Zoe Ralston. I think they were – some of the that Probably two of the main five people on that TBA list that I had the biggest question marks and biggest hopes that they were returning to the game, at whether it's with Inner West or otherwise. I was just hoping that they were going to play.
01:03:33
Speaker
Very good. Yeah, so hopefully things are on the up and up for the Inner West Bulls women. Speaking of New South Wales country, it's time to...
01:03:45
Speaker
Talk about the Stangers, Maitland Mustangs women.
Maitland Mustangs: Roster Improvements and University Connections
01:03:49
Speaker
In 2024, they had a win-loss record of 5th and 15, finishing 13th overall, meaning unfortunately they didn't qualify for finals.
01:03:58
Speaker
And they had, you know, their usual suspects leading the three major statistical categories with Shakira Riley averaging 15.1 points per game and being their top scorer.
01:04:11
Speaker
Sydney Hunter, no surprise, lead as the top rebounder with 9.5. And Rachel Williams with the most assists for 2024 for the Stangers with 3.4 assists per game.
01:04:24
Speaker
What else are you taking away from these stats and facts for the Stangers, Lockie? Yeah.
01:04:33
Speaker
I mean, hate to harp on it, but turnover rate of 18.7% combined with a low offensive rating. One leads to the other. Oh, yeah, that's not good.
01:04:45
Speaker
yeah That's not good. No. So... i did i I like the fact the opposition assist rate is it's decent. It's seventh. um The thing is, felt like Mustangs had a lot of stats that were like in the sixth to tenth range.
01:05:03
Speaker
Nothing really high. ah few of these were 13th, 14th, 15th. But, yeah, I don't mean they did finish five, five and 15. ah Yeah, turn turnover rate. Yeah, not helping their offensive rating. Fortunately, they were they were decent on the boards.
01:05:19
Speaker
And ah their bench actually contributed 22% of their scoring last season, which is ah interesting. But they had, I guess, Isabella Jennings only started 12 of 19 games and averaged 8.4 points. Yeah, that certainly Yeah, think with a couple certainly help but um
01:05:45
Speaker
yeah i think i think with a couple of
01:05:51
Speaker
additions we could see Maitland back to near where they were ah couple of seasons ago, you know, right in the finals hunt. Other teams' improvements notwithstanding.
01:06:04
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. good I like that disclaimer. Yeah, reading out the stats just now for the Stingers, I was surprised that their win-loss record was 5-13. Certainly didn't feel like that given that Maitland are always...
01:06:19
Speaker
going to be quite competitive. They're always a team that you can't take lightly ah because they're always going to have becoming with the goods, always playing their best and another team that have done really well with cultivating a positive culture in their women's program.
01:06:34
Speaker
um And you can tell that they enjoy playing for each other so yeah that record of five and 15 was surprising i i do remember some ups and downs as well though in the team i think they had a change of coach midway through the season and a lot of other stuff going on which can sometimes influence the team's on-court performance too but uh yeah offensive rating and turnover rate like you said big big rooms for improvement for 2025. But as you mentioned, looking at the roster, looks like they certainly have potential to improve on that.
01:07:08
Speaker
couple of big inns there as well for Maitland Mustangs. Would you like to talk about the couple of big inns that we've got this season? I'm sorry, is this the Maitland Mustangs or the University of San Diego?
01:07:20
Speaker
That is so funny you say that because in my notes, I wrote AKA the San Diego Mustangs. Legitimately though, because I've got Sydney Hunter back. And Mila Oshkavich is back from San Diego.
01:07:34
Speaker
And then Casey Newbert, it was, who has graduated from college at San Diego, where she was a teammate of Mila last season. um So they're the two, they're the two San Diego ins. And actually Mila just, she looks like a player who just benefited from the opportunity you get.
01:07:59
Speaker
to just live a year of basketball at college. She just looks better at everything. I'll just, you know, and I think that's the best thing I can say about her is that she just looks a little bit better.
01:08:16
Speaker
um I talked to, I talked to Sid and Miller about Casey um listed as a power forward emphasis on the power.
01:08:27
Speaker
Very nice. Very nice. That's great intel because, again, you know, hate to bring up Trinity the Tuck again, but where are the jokes? Where are the bigs?
01:08:38
Speaker
I mean, Sydney Hunter is always already playing like it like an undersized big, so perhaps Casey is going to be very similar. I did try and find footage on Casey to see what her playing style was like and her strengths, but I couldn't find a lot. No, no.
01:08:56
Speaker
No, how bizarre was that that I couldn't... I found, like, a couple of clips maybe from high school, but I couldn't find any college clips. Yeah, that's what I as well. I guess maybe coming straight out of... She's not straight out of college, so no maybe just... And she did two years at Hawaii before she went and did went to San Diego. Yeah.
01:09:16
Speaker
But 10.1 points, 9.6 rebounds per game in her senior year. Yeah. Only shot 18 three-pointers, attempted 18 three-pointers compared to 192-pointers in her senior year. So definitely won't be seeing her, you know, flinging it from beyond the arc. But well ah another player, you know,
01:09:42
Speaker
six one goes and grabs rebounds. You know, we've got a few of those because Sid Hunter's around the same height and will grab a rebound. We've heard the same about um Jordan Vasquez from Penrith. maybe after last year's, you know, bevy of 6'5", import bigs, teams are trending a little bit a little bit smaller this year.
01:10:09
Speaker
Yeah, certainly seems that way. But great to see the Maitland Mustangs with a very healthy roster ready for round one. And again, another roster that is beaming or should I say breaming or beaming?
01:10:22
Speaker
But you know what I mean. It's brimming. Brimming. Yes, brimming. Yeah, ah you know, too bad we're live because I can't cut that out. But a lot of local talent is what I'm trying to get at and a lot of local talent that have played in this program for a long time as well. So credit to the Stangers for keeping their club together in such a great way. And, you know, having this sisterly partnership now with San Diego, we'd love to see it. I wonder if some other clubs might start to trend in that direction. I mean, Newcastle flirted with it a little bit having...
01:10:57
Speaker
the Michigan signings through Kyra Evans.
01:11:01
Speaker
We should definitely see. Maybe Isla can isler can deliver them someone from Louisville. Yeah. Oh, I think Newcastle would be more than happy to welcome anyone from that Louisville roster.
01:11:15
Speaker
But ah yeah talk about connections. Mm-hmm. Just the idea of players from further north going to, well, we just mentioned Islay going to Newcastle and Monique Rudder coming down to Maitland because Maitland this year have signed a player from Coffs Harbour who actually played against them in Waratah League semifinals last year.
01:11:41
Speaker
Alexis Plater from the New South Wales under-20s team. ah Ah, interesting. Very interesting. i Truth be told, it didn't know a lot about Alexis, so to give us some intel.
01:11:53
Speaker
Well, because I still have my Waratah League semifinal commentary notes. Yes, of course you do. Yes. Hey, what is in my four notebooks in my drawer is my business.
01:12:07
Speaker
It's all basketball notes. So... so Yes, Alexis played our average 25.7 points in Warratah League last year, which if she played enough games would have won the scoring title.
01:12:21
Speaker
But she only had four three-point makes all season. So she is getting to the rack. I think I went and looked at her under 18 junior national shot charts, her under 20s national shot charts.
01:12:35
Speaker
Not a lot of threes there either. So shes she was honestly just on an absolutely different, as you would expect from, you know, ah under 20 New South Wales player who's just gone and, you know, won a national championship.
01:12:49
Speaker
um And um I mean, it was funny. I talked to her after the Waratah League semifinal and said, you know, I commentated. was great game. And she said, yeah, I'm looking to find a club for next season. just In my head, I just wrote down Maitland.
01:13:07
Speaker
what And what made you think Maitland and not another club? Like what was, like your instinct just said Maitland straight away. What do you think that was, where that came from? I don't know. I just thought, you know, Coffs Harbour, coming down, find a club.
01:13:21
Speaker
I mean, I probably could have just easily said Newcastle or Central Coast, but I just thought having just played Maitland, showed off, you know, if you want a club, ah ah just felt like Maitland would be a club that would be interested.
01:13:36
Speaker
And, yeah. So i on a personal level, I think it's very cool to see Alexis played her in NBL1. I am so psyched to have the chance to call her games again. And I used the Vince Carter, it's over gif when she signed.
01:13:54
Speaker
Ah, very good. Ah, too bad. I could have queued that up for you instead of just hogging the limelight with Trinity that the Tuck. Where are the jokes? Where are the bigs is what I'm asking. But another another pretty quick-looking roster, a lot of shooters on the outside, like we mentioned before, perhaps some non-traditional bigs playing, some undersized bigs that can still do the work of ah of an effective and efficient player.
01:14:24
Speaker
big men. And yeah, adding that spark in Alexis Plater. So Stanger's hopefully going to get their top eight finals berth again in 2025. I think I can see them though probably a little, ah it would be interesting. The matchups i' I'm looking forward to now that we've previewed Hills, Maitland, Illawarra, those three teams I'm going to be really interested to see.
01:14:52
Speaker
what the results are when they play each other. So if I just quickly go back to this slide. Well, Maitland are going to the snake pit this weekend to play Illawarra. Oh, okay, great. so And they play Hills and Illawarra away and they only play each other once.
01:15:11
Speaker
I'm going to go on a limb and say that those games between the Hills, Illawarra and Maitland women are going to be super those results are going to be super important and it perhaps affect the back end of the season. it's just It just gives me that feel because their rosters are kind of similar in terms of skill set and makeup and I guess the history as well of how they've performed over the last couple of seasons.
01:15:35
Speaker
I just get a sense that it's It's given me three-way tie vibes, but I just think that the the the results of when they play each other is going to have a a big impact or be super important in the long run.
01:15:50
Speaker
oh you don't have long to wait, Squin. Week one. Week one. We keep saying that, and it's in my diary, but watch me forget. It'll be tip-off for the first game, and I'll be forgetting that it's started. But that's right. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m.
01:16:07
Speaker
Oh, actually, it'll be 2 p.m. for you, won't it? Yes. I'd still get that mixed up. But, yes, it will.
01:16:17
Speaker
Okay. Now, we're rolling on to our – is it our lucky last team already for this episode? Is it really? No, surely not. Let me check.
01:16:29
Speaker
um No, is it? It is. Yep. Well, here here we go then. you You kind of alluded to it. It's your beloved Sutherland Sharks.
01:16:43
Speaker
Oh, actually, we'll go to stats and facts.
Sutherland Sharks: Grand Final Journey and Roster Changes
01:16:46
Speaker
Sorry there. We are gave a glimpse of the roster before we got into it. But here are the stats and facts from 2024. Win-loss record of 12-8, finishing fifth but fought their way to a spot in the grand final and unfortunately losing to the Newcastle Falcons in what was an absolute barn burner of a grand final to remember. That was so thrilling.
01:17:12
Speaker
The only reason I'm okay with you bringing it up is because I was calling the game.
01:17:19
Speaker
the two best people to call that game as well was yourself and Hamish Salberg. It was... ah that the two that I would trust the most with a women's game like that. Oh, it was so exciting. I don't think I would have been able to control my emotions and excitement had I been there in person to watch it.
01:17:39
Speaker
um But, yeah, just really felt for that Sutherland team and and Coach Adam just losing in such dire circumstances in the end. But did the Sharkies very proud.
01:17:52
Speaker
They did. Yes, I'm well versed in commentating the Sharkies losing grand finals now, unfortunately. But life goes on and we move into season 2025. Yes, ah there were, yes, basically there was the Panusis era, the Nicholson era and the Nicholson-Panusis era when it came to this Sharks team.
01:18:20
Speaker
ah And obviously it was the Nicholson-Panusis era in the last few weeks where they managed to roll through to the grand final.
01:18:31
Speaker
um Unsurprisingly for the Sharkies, opposition second chance points ah pretty high. Didn't force a whole lot of turnovers. I guess that's what happens when Lauren Nicholson only plays four regular season games.
01:18:47
Speaker
I think if she played more, that number probably would have been probably top five in the league. um Shot the three at a good clip. Shot it a fair bit as well, which was good.
01:19:00
Speaker
Dished the ball. um Yeah. as ah As a Davidson fan, share, shoot, stifle. That's the Davidson women's basketball motto. And when Nicholson was on the roster, the Sharks were doing that very well.
01:19:14
Speaker
The stifle bit. when she wasn't there was a bit, how are you going? But they managed to fight their way to fifth, put themselves right in the mix. And with three minutes to go, they were an even money chance of winning the title. So what can you say?
01:19:30
Speaker
Yeah. And, you know, full credit to this Sharkies team and especially even the Sutherland Sharks men's team at the year before. um finishing fifth or thereabouts at the end of the regular season and then just finding that little bit extra, that little bit of extra fight or focus to climb their way into the grand final.
01:19:53
Speaker
ah I mean, that's tough. That's really, really tough, especially um when you' you're not really adding any extra pieces. You're just trying to like amplify the pieces that you've got and finding that little bit extra makes it so exciting. It's almost like a,
01:20:08
Speaker
becoming the Sutherland Sharks brand. Yeah, it's ah doing wonders for my life for my lifespan. Yeah. and I didn't say it wasn't without consequence.
01:20:22
Speaker
But I'm not surprised with being first in free throw percentage when you've got someone like Loz Nicholson who always averages, what, 80-plus percent in her whole life from the free throw line.
01:20:34
Speaker
um I think things like blocks and steals being 14th and 12th respectively, probably something you can live with because they're not really statistics that generally teams need to focus on anyway or are really going to give too much attention be too much of a pivotal point for wins and losses in the long run of a game.
01:20:53
Speaker
Second chance points I was kind of surprised by, but probably also points in the paint, maybe not so much given, it like you said, it was the Nicholson-Panousas era.
01:21:05
Speaker
And, you know, one one one of our bigs is Maddie Norris, who, you know, definitely far more known for our the pick and pop than the pick and roll. Yeah, correct. um So they play Hills twice, Illawarra twice, Inner West twice, Newcastle twice, Sydney twice. So that's pretty pretty tough. um Away they play Canberra, Central Coast, Seawee, Manly North. I think their away games are probably compared to the home and the home and away games are are tougher based on the the rosters we've previewed so far.
01:21:40
Speaker
Oh, definitely. that Manly and Norris, only away. Killing me. Yeah. ah But let's have a look at the roster as it stands.
01:21:51
Speaker
So Eliza Fabbro is back, which we love to see, along with Maddie Norris and Olivia Douglas, who, aka formerly known as Olivia White,
01:22:03
Speaker
Another off-season wedding that we need to congratulate. Yes. Well, Liv has her Insta handle is now Liv Douglas, but her name on her Insta account is still Olivia White. So we'll figure it out on Saturday.
01:22:17
Speaker
Actually, she might not even be there because she's got rugby in Hong Kong tomorrow and Thursday. Wow. Is she representing Australia or is she to a club? she's Southern District. i think it's Southern Districts taking her team over to Hong Kong Tens.
01:22:34
Speaker
Rugby. Very cool. Yeah. Yeah. No wonder she's so tough to rebound against and to ah to have. oh she didn't buy She played in the National Rugby 7 Series as well. So she's, a yes, quite the rugby player. Wow.
01:22:50
Speaker
And wow quite the basketballer as well. Yeah. Yeah. True you dual athlete. So, again, and another women's roster we love to see ah making the most of their local talent and a lot of local talent returning.
01:23:04
Speaker
Is there anyone on that current roster um that you're most excited about for 2025?
01:23:12
Speaker
Madison Carey.
01:23:15
Speaker
Talk to me. ah Well, if there's no Panusis, Nicholson, i mean I mean, she looks like she could get out there and play tomorrow, despite the fact she's...
01:23:31
Speaker
heavily pregnant. Um, but that's just going to open up spots in the backcourt. And Maddie Carey had her first season with the club last year. um got a little bit of a, uh, opportunity in some games. It wasn't all garbage time or, you know, late in games.
01:23:48
Speaker
Um, she played, played in 10 games. Um, And I just think the opportunity is right there for her to suit up in the backcourt, whether it's a long so probably alongside Babbro or with Jordan Dewhurst at different times.
01:24:07
Speaker
It's just opportunities. are And, of course, Manny Piljevic is now over in college. Callie Hovath has gone to move to Canada. So, know, there's four guards there on the roster. So there might be an opportunity for her in the rotation.
01:24:24
Speaker
Excellent. And so we know that the likes of Douglas will still be dominating on the inside. Matty Norris still adding size, but also length and prowess from the three-point line.
01:24:35
Speaker
But in the TBA list, you still have Nancaro and Klinen. Any word on the street whether they'll be returning? ah Pretty sure Gavin Nancaro is playing rugby league now is what someone said on the weekend.
01:24:50
Speaker
And don't think Hannah Kleinen's back either. But Mel Andreunas was announced by the Sharks earlier this afternoon. Ah, very good. There's one TBA into the definites.
01:25:03
Speaker
Love to hear it. I'm not giving away anything else because I like having a commentary job at Sutherland. Yeah, that's fair enough, I think. And hopefully our listeners can read between the lines when Lockie says that that perhaps expect something to be coming, but we're not at liberty to say. Yeah.
01:25:23
Speaker
You think that's a fair way to put it? Yes. i'm not going to It could be someone from the TBA list. It could be someone else. It could be an in. It could be an out. Maybe you'll just have to tune in to the Crosstown Clash on Saturday afternoon and find out.
01:25:38
Speaker
Or come down to the Shark Tank.
01:25:42
Speaker
Even better. It's a great atmosphere at the Shark Tank. are we Can we expect the Division III girls to be turning up with their signs again this season? Well, they were actually Div 1 last year, not Div 3. Oh, I'll take your pardon. So they've gone from 12 Div 3 to 14 Div 1. can only assume they'll still have signs.
01:26:06
Speaker
I hope they still have signs. I like their signs. I think everyone likes their signs.
01:26:13
Speaker
Well, yeah, please, if you're able to, please take some photos for our ESCOT game Instagram of these signs if if you're able to and you have time and if there are said signs to be photographed because, yeah, there were some really great ones the last couple of seasons. I'd love to see how that how that can progresses and if that becomes a permanent thing of the shark tank, the the fan the fan art.
01:26:37
Speaker
I hope it does. I think they do a pretty good job. But...
Sharks' Upcoming Season Challenges and Key Players
01:26:42
Speaker
from the team to do a pretty good job starting this weekend. um yeah As I said, there was the Panusis, the Nicholson and the Nicholson Panusis. And at the moment, we've got neither of them and still got the rest of the roster to fill out. So we'll see what we make of it.
01:27:06
Speaker
Because I think even... at times when Sutherland didn't have either Panuzas or Nicholson on the court. The rest of them were able to hang, you know, with the mid-pack at least.
01:27:20
Speaker
um Just, yeah. Need that another piece to our remain, you know, up there fighting for top four like they were last year.
01:27:34
Speaker
I mean, they were the types of games where Emily Garland got a starting spot and just balled out and had some of her her best performances on the stat sheet. So i hope that she can get a ah few more minutes in this rotation as well. I reckon she's probably proved herself to be um up there in the mix of the the top seven in the rotation.
01:27:56
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. I mean, she was seventh for minutes played last year, so... Yeah, I mean, I call her the skeleton key. Fits in anywhere, unlocks everything.
01:28:09
Speaker
Because she plays probably two through five and the one if we get desperate at youth league level. So she might be undersized in some positions at NBL one level, but she's developed the skill set in so many different areas that...
01:28:30
Speaker
you know, she can be called upon to do, I mean, ah you know, her standard spot in NBL one is on the wing, basically firing away. But if she gets down low, she can, she can certainly hang.
01:28:45
Speaker
Yeah. So are we seeing, are you, you know, now that we've done, especially the teams that we've covered in this episode, I feel like,
01:28:56
Speaker
Of the eight that we've previewed, there's probably at least four that I can see cementing themselves in the middle, um perhaps causing some kind of three-way tie in the middle, perhaps on the cusp of the top eight as well to make finals.
01:29:14
Speaker
Based on what you know about the Sharks roster, you but are you hoping or are you confident that they'll be able to make top eight? i Oh, yeah, they can certainly um give it a fair shake.
01:29:28
Speaker
um i think I feel like it's more, at this stage, more like the 2023 season than the 2024 for them,
01:29:40
Speaker
um
01:29:43
Speaker
where they finished equal seventh with Hills. um actually that was the that was the ridiculous tie year. That was the four-way tie for fifth, sorry.
01:29:55
Speaker
Oh, wait. No, that's the men's team, you idiot. Yeah, the men's had... No, that's okay. The men's had that cursed four-way tie. Yes, I'm trying to remember. But it does feel... Yeah, I mean, the fact that we won't have Nicholson at least for an extended period um is... It's...
01:30:16
Speaker
it's It's such an, it's a no, but and I know you know what she brings, but how well can you fill it by committee? Yeah. Yeah. so So, yeah. So 2023, 15 and seven, but Maitland. Yeah. So that was the season Maitland were 14 and eight.
01:30:34
Speaker
Yeah. um Yeah. When I, when I think of how we go. yeah Without Nicholson and how well, and and it's, there's so much unknown about this Sutherland team. I,
01:30:48
Speaker
Yeah. And it's hard for me to say it. It's hard for me to say it because I don't want to talk the team down and I don't think they deserve to be talked down, but it's ah it's just something you can't ignore. Yeah, I agree. I agree. yeah it's You still got to be, you can still be objective and realistic with, based on what the information you have with without, but yeah, intentionally talking someone down.
01:31:11
Speaker
I can see what what you mean, yeah. Yeah. But, I mean, youre still sting you've got Fabro, Norris, Douglas. Yeah, you've got two players with WMBL experience in Fabro and Norris. You've got Douglas who will, you know, dominate the paint.
01:31:28
Speaker
You've got solid backups and youngsters coming through.
01:31:34
Speaker
we'll say We'll see on Saturday just how we go against Penrith and build from there. Then we've got then we've got hill we got Hills in the Hive week two. that will be That will be a good one.
01:31:45
Speaker
That'll be a good barometer for both teams, actually. Yeah, I agree. And even especially that first game against Penrith, given that Penrith have come back this season, like you mentioned earlier, without Talia Tupaya, but still ah probably a stronger roster and a roster with a little bit more depth to give.
01:32:07
Speaker
i think it's going to be quite a test for the Sharkies for their first first game of the season. I think that's going to be a good litmus test to see. where they might sit in those first two games between Penrith and Hills. Yeah, that's going to be super interesting. Like I think, yeah, it's just interesting that we've showcased these particular women's teams for this episode where I feel like a lot of them in terms of what they have on paper and historically are starting to overlap and I'm starting to see a lot of tied situations or situations where
01:32:41
Speaker
that if they ah only play each other once, it's going to be very, very important for how they end up on the ladder. So just going back to the Sharkies games, as we mentioned before, yeah, their away games are the ones that are going to be the toughest.
01:32:56
Speaker
So they really got to get the split. They so at least play Hills and Illawarra twice, which I feel like, whoops, sorry, ah in a similar mix. So it's really important. from the Sharkies' point of view, to at least get the split on those teams.
01:33:12
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, 100%. I mean, could not have said it better myself, yeah.
01:33:20
Speaker
All right, very good. So perhaps, you know, let's take some time in the next couple of weeks and especially after we watch round one just to kind of ah digest all of the rosters that we know.
01:33:33
Speaker
Maybe we have to put them side by side, little bit like that are Always in Sunny Philadelphia meme with Charlie and the the red The red cotton and strings going from picture to picture trying to figure out where are these teams going to fall on the ladder come the end of the season. ah But I think um when we I was looking at planning on the weekend for the season ahead, there will be three rounds of NBL 1 East before we have a break for Easter.
01:34:02
Speaker
And I think that us as commentators, spectators, fans, ah whatever, it's going to be enough time for us to be able to confidently start to give some predictions of how parts of this season are going to play out. So watch this space, East Scott game fans, because hopefully around Easter we'll be able to officially give some predictions and and just so happens that we did want to do predictions this season but we did want to wait till later knowing that the roster announcements are going to be at a very casual pace as they were last year so i think after three rounds and then that easter break we'll be able to really see where everyone's going to sift but
01:34:47
Speaker
Yeah, the the women's competition, I think particularly, think for the ah first time, say, in the last three seasons, more than the men's team, I can say it's the women's competition where that position of fifth to eighth again is going to be a real dogfight.
01:35:03
Speaker
Oh, yes, and it always is. And it's not just the fifth to eighth if the team's trying to make that jump into the top four. And then, hmm. Because top four, at least consistently the last few seasons, has been the likes of Bandits, COE, Manly, Newcastle, North are always in that mix.
01:35:23
Speaker
They certainly are. And um looks like it looks like they're starting to add players to the NBL1 website for the season. So might find some players over the next few days that haven't been announced.
01:35:37
Speaker
Interesting. Very interesting. I like that super sleuth tip of information there, Lockie. Nicely done.
Hills High-Performance Program and Round One Fixtures
01:35:46
Speaker
Before we wrap up, though, do you have any news from the league that you'd like to share with us this episode?
01:35:53
Speaker
ah Something that I found interesting is ah Hills have announced that Reece Potter will be now their high-performance manager and they're starting building teams turning a room or a function room or something into a high performance center. I haven't seen many details on the high performance center, but yeah, there are,
01:36:15
Speaker
Yeah, starting a high-performance program, which I think is absolutely great um because, I mean, they already run three facilities, i think, and, you know, certainly have the association humming along. So they can anything they can do to our continue to develop their players,
01:36:37
Speaker
more power to them. I know Sutherland, Pat Williamson, our former men's head coach is now our performance manager. So seems to be, don't know if it'll start a trend, but certainly good to see another club, you know, investing in the high performance pathway and maybe get players from that NBL one East level, more players to that next level, you know, NBL, WNBL and beyond.
01:37:05
Speaker
Yeah, look, full credit to Hills Hornets. They've just gone from strength to strength as a club. Like from the outside looking in they demonstrate a lot of professionalism in a lot of different ways.
01:37:17
Speaker
ah We talked about their social media announcements. Excuse me. Also now with their high performance coaching facility. um i just really admire their investment in the game essentially and their local talent.
01:37:34
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, yeah, mom couldn't have said it better of myself. They just, you know, they're doing it well and the results will come eventually. It'll it'll show in the players they develop.
01:37:48
Speaker
it's It's not something you can um judge, you know, 12 months in or even two years in probably.
01:37:58
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. And they've obviously got someone with a wealth of coaching experience like Reece Potter in that position. um So lots of ticks for the Hills Hornets. Credit to you.
01:38:09
Speaker
Have you got any other news from around the grounds? um Not really. We dropped those few um signings earlier, but I think that's it's about it from me.
01:38:24
Speaker
What about you, Squinn? What have you got? I have nothing, my friend. I have absolutely nothing. But what I thought we should probably do, if you haven't already, ah is maybe let's pull up the schedule or the fixtures for round one, ticking off, as we said, this Saturday.
01:38:46
Speaker
I'm just waiting for the page to load.
01:38:51
Speaker
Let's share this screen.
01:38:55
Speaker
Making sure I share the right one. Here we go. Fixtures. So it all kicks off on Saturday, the 25th of March at 3pm as Lockie mentioned early in the episode.
01:39:06
Speaker
First game of the season being the centre of excellence hosting the Manly Warringah Seagulls in the Women. Jeez. Bit of a tall order for both teams to be playing each other in the first game of the season.
01:39:22
Speaker
And the women's games are obviously starting at 3 p.m. and then a lot of 5 p.m. games as well on the same day. including the likes of Sutherland Sharks and Penrith, as we just mentioned.
01:39:35
Speaker
Newcastle versus Comets at Newcastle is going to be a good one to watch as well. um And then the first men's game will be tipping off in Canberra with Centre of Excellence and Manly, as you would expect, at 5pm.
01:39:50
Speaker
And you know what? Why not make those games a tiny bit early on a Saturday if you can? Because if you're playing away, especially at a place like Canberra where you have to kind of stay over, get a bit more free time, little bit more ah time to perhaps team bonding, little bit more time for a bit of dinner, but a bit of drinks, bit of a dance at Mooseheads if you're in that Canberra road trip.
01:40:16
Speaker
Unless they have a double header to start, which I don't think they They do not because the Gunners Nationals are in Aubrey-Wodonga for a Siebel showdown. Oh, we'll be a Seabull showdown. That's correct. That is correct.
01:40:31
Speaker
So yeah having a really quick look there at that roster. Apologies, I probably zoomed through that way too quick. um So if you were to pick one game from the women's competition and one game from the men's competition, what are your personal games of the week for round one?
01:40:51
Speaker
ah Leaving us aside Sutherland-Penrith because yeah not goingnna be I'm not going to be that guy, i think on the women's side, h i want if every... Is Davida here yet?
01:41:09
Speaker
Good question. um she is If she is, then it's Bankstown North for mine. If not, then it's Centre of Excellence Manly on the women's side.
01:41:21
Speaker
Good question. I spoke to one of our our friends, Kaz, who commentates the English League, as you know, and I know that she's commentating some finals this upcoming weekend and I'm not too sure.
01:41:37
Speaker
if the Manchester women are making finals or not. So I think there's going to be a little bit of an overlap. i'm not I don't think Davida's going to be here for round one. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that.
01:41:47
Speaker
But I'm happy to be corrected. so if there's anyone watching online that knows for certain if Davida Dale is going to be here and one, please let us know. Or if you're listening to this episode after, please send us a message on Instagram at escottgame.
01:42:05
Speaker
so that Okay, so let's say, to be safe, the game but of your personal game of the week for the women's competition is Centre of Excellence and Manly. Yeah. And what about the men's competition?
01:42:18
Speaker
Well, that one, i think with one that just made the finals last year, one that just missed out, we know people are actually here for this one. That one, I'm going to go Bankstown North on the men's side.
01:42:32
Speaker
Yeah, that I reckon that's going to be super exciting as well. Like you said, that history from last season of like the fight for the final spot, but both coming in to 2025 with I'm going to say 50-50 rosters, like 50 core and 50 And well, maybe not 50-50, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but still pretty different rosters in both the men's competition for each of these teams.
01:43:01
Speaker
Yeah. And I would say that both rosters have been a little bit boosted from 2024. Both are going to be really eager and hungry to establish themselves early in the men's competition.
01:43:15
Speaker
I think that's a very good pick, Lockie.
01:43:21
Speaker
What are your picks, though? Yes. Good question. Good question. I'm going to say um i think for the women's competition, I'm really keen to see the Newcastle Comets game.
01:43:36
Speaker
Newcastle adding some extra pieces to the already sound roster from last season. And ah Comets, you know, Piper Anderson coming off her first season as a DP with the Flames, so I'm sure she's keen to light it up again for Comets.
01:43:52
Speaker
And obviously adding, I just want to see Michaela Perini in the east. I just want to see her. oh and obviously Susie Wamsley's back, so I'm really excited to watch her play again in her home colours.
01:44:04
Speaker
So I think for me that one I'm a little bit, just slightly a little bit more excited for. So Newcastle Comets in the women's comp and then in the men's competition, i think I'm excited for the Albury Gunners game.
01:44:18
Speaker
Yeah, that was one I had my eye on as well. mean, Gunners, we know what we're going to get. Gunners are kind of like Maccas in a sense of like, you know, you go there, you know what you're going to get and you're not going to be disappointed.
01:44:31
Speaker
Yeah. So I'm keen for that game, ah but I'm really keen to see how this Bandits men's roster is going to look all together because, yeah, based on what Coach Matt was saying about they're all taking this opportunity to have a bigger role in a new team.
01:44:50
Speaker
They're all kind of hungry to prove themselves and to really cement the the Bandits men's program on the map again as ah as a new-looking roster. I think that's going to be really exciting.
01:45:01
Speaker
And it's that... In Albury. And, I mean, they just know how to put on a show. oh yeah, they do. Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, they're my picks. I would say the Newcastle Falcons, Sydney Comets and the women and the Albury-Wodonga bandits and the Canberra Gunners in a men's competition are my personal games of the week.
01:45:22
Speaker
Well, Falcons Comets is also the KO Freebies game of the week. Ah, well, there you I'm onto something. I do make some sense sometimes. most at Most of the time, Squid.
01:45:36
Speaker
Most of the time. I hope so. ah just before we go, we better ask about your jersey of the week hanging in the background. This one? ah Yeah. That's just that's just Jazz Borkadilla's jersey from St. Mary's.
01:45:50
Speaker
Oh, just that. Have you featured that one before? I don't care if I have. I only have I don't i't have three seasons worth of jerseys. i was just poking through my wardrobe and found it and thought I'd put it up.
01:46:04
Speaker
So there you go. That's Jas Porcadilla's jersey from St. Mary's, which she gave to me when I went to visit her in 2017. Beautiful. But to be fair, your TCU t-shirt was probably just as ah appropriate for today's episode, given the March madness that's happening at the moment. So you still get a big tick.
01:46:24
Speaker
Yeah.
01:46:27
Speaker
All right, so that's more or less the episode. ah That was our final episode showcasing the rosters for 2025. As I mentioned earlier in this episode, we will be resuming our regular programming from next week as round one tips off. So we're going to continue with a game review.
01:46:47
Speaker
some very quick game previews. And what else do we do?
Podcast Future Plans: Game Reviews and Interviews
01:46:52
Speaker
All-Star 5. We do a bit of news and gossip when we can. We do an an interview of some kind. I usually say athlete interview, but I think this season we're going to be doing athletes and coaches and perhaps trying out some other ideas as well. so I'll just say interviews broadly.
01:47:09
Speaker
What else do we like to showcase, Lockie, on our regular shows? think that's... that's That's enough. i Yeah, I think that's enough. I think that's that's plenty.
01:47:21
Speaker
um so yeah, as always, remember, we like to live stream these episodes now, brand new for us, is Season 3. ah But you can see recordings of our episodes on our Instagram page, at escottgame, as a very long Instagram reel.
01:47:37
Speaker
but you can also find the recordings on YouTube. At ESCOT Game also has a YouTube channel and you can also find us on Facebook. But if or if you want to listen to us on your commute to work or your commute to training, just like Georgia Nowak does, you can still find our episodes in audio-only formats on the likes of Spotify and Apple and Google Play, et cetera. So we're everywhere. just got to find us. And as always, if you've got...
01:48:05
Speaker
any news or gossip or someone in the league that you would perhaps like us to try and interview during the season, or you just want to say hello, you're welcome to send us a message directly on our Instagram page.
01:48:18
Speaker
But otherwise, Lockie, what's the parting message that we like to tell our beloved fans? Don't sleep on the east.
01:48:29
Speaker
Very good, my friend. All right, thank Yeah.