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Season 2, ep. 1: IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK!
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Lachy and Squin have returned for Season 2 of "East Got Game". Ready and focused on the 2024 NBL1 East season, they discuss the movers, shakers and roster changes of the teams who placed in the bottom 8 last season. This episode covers the men's and women's competition.
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Transcript
Welcome Back & Season 1 Reflection
00:00:11
Speaker
back everyone to season two of East Got Game, an unofficial podcast about the MBL One East League in Australia. Lockie, can you believe that we've reached season two? I cannot squirm. Season one was great. It had a great, great first run and give the people what they want. So we're back season two.
00:00:34
Speaker
It was really nice during the off season that we had a few people ask us whether we're
Off-Season Highlights & Personal Milestones
00:00:40
Speaker
going to come back for season two. And I think that's always a positive indication that we were onto a good thing. And we were talking off air about how one of our guests from season one, Freddie Webb, mentioned a couple of stats about new podcasts. Do you remember exactly what he said? It was about making some milestones.
00:00:57
Speaker
90% of podcasts don't reach 10 episodes and about only half ever reach 20 episodes. And we knocked over 20 last year, so it's time to power on. Yeah, it certainly helps when you're covering a sporting league where there's so many rounds plus finals. So I think if you stick to the regular weekly format, you're guaranteed to get 20 episodes.
00:01:20
Speaker
However, we didn't quit halfway through, cause we're not quitters. So that's a, that's a plus. And here we are again for season two, back better than ever, hopefully. So tell me, how's your off season been? Went and visited some, uh, NBA One East players in the off season. I went and visited, uh, Kitty and Fliss Henderson. Went and visited Alana Goodchild. Went and visited Beck Dalinger, Matty Wheatley, Mia Slater.
00:01:48
Speaker
Of course, all
Life Changes & New Website Launch
00:01:50
Speaker
those players currently over in the US. Yes, I went on a big basketball trip to the States in November and went and saw plenty of MBL one East and New South Wales players. And how could I forget as well at Davidson, Millie Pryor and Izzy Morgan. You also had a perhaps reached a personal milestone while at Davidson as well. Are you willing to share with our audience what that was? Yeah, I think.
00:02:16
Speaker
A lot of the audience might already know what my personal milestone was, but I actually was lucky enough to, uh, commentate a Davidson College women's basketball game. They're a game against USC Upstate. First time calling a college basketball game, which is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. It finally happened.
00:02:37
Speaker
Yeah, that's out. That's really, really cool. We're very
2024 Season Roster Preview: Bottom Eight Teams
00:02:40
Speaker
stoked for you, dude. So congratulations again for reaching that milestone because I imagine once in a lifetime opportunity. So I'm glad you're able to make the most of it, especially while Millie Prior and Izzy Morgan are there. Two of the four Aussies in that squad, but just that they're the two from NBA One East, of course.
00:03:00
Speaker
As you mentioned, you saw Fliss Henderson and Kitty Henderson. They are playing for Columbia who did pretty well this season in the end. And Ilana Goodchild's at Northwestern and Beck Dalinger is at Kansas State. Correct. So I actually went up to the University of Iowa and watched Beck and Kansas State knock off Caitlin Clark and Iowa on their home court.
00:03:28
Speaker
Caitlin Clark, that name sounds familiar. Yeah, watch her play a couple of times. Yeah, I think she's pretty good from what I've heard. Yeah, she is pretty good, yeah. And as we, I mean, I'm sure our listeners can gather that we've been sarcastic. While we're recording this episode, it's probably day two has just finished of the NCAA March Madness. And one of my favorite clips so far is a goaltending
00:03:56
Speaker
in a women's college game. It was a Paige Becker's layup, chase down and it was actual goaltending. And I was surprised that like, even the players were recognised like, hey, that's goaltending. Because if that were me, I would just kind of be shocked of like, did I see that right?
00:04:15
Speaker
I mean, you can expect it from someone maybe like an LJ or a Liz Cambeige or a Hanzu, but there's no Hanzu in NCAA basketball. So it was a surprise. It was really, really cool. It was really cool. But I'm not the only one who's been doing stuff, Squint. What have you been up to recently? You've had a pretty big life change.
00:04:38
Speaker
I certainly have had a big life change, Lockie. I have left, physically left MBO1 East and I've moved myself to Brisbane. So I'm technically an MBO1 North country, but that's not to say that I'm not still loyal and have a great interest in MBO1 East. It was a lot of mental gymnastics planning the move because I had to
00:05:03
Speaker
move from my house then move to my mum's and then that process of packing and unpacking twice and then obviously orchestrating a move interstate as everyone knows is quite a task so it took up most of my brain capacity for the last two months but I've been here now just over two weeks started my new job two weeks ago I didn't give myself a lot of time between
00:05:26
Speaker
setting my feet on the ground and starting a new job. But so far, so good. Everyone has been super, super nice up here. I'm enjoying more of a city metropolitan lifestyle compared to obviously the central coast. So
Coaching Changes & Key Signings
00:05:40
Speaker
that's been a nice change of pace where I can walk everywhere. Public transport is great. I used my car for the first time in nearly two and a half weeks yesterday because I haven't had to. While I am in MBO1 North Country,
00:05:55
Speaker
And I will hope, I will be commentating some games for NBA One North with Brisbane Capitals and a couple of the games of the week. I will definitely still be dedicating time to Eastcott game as well. That's what everybody wants to hear, Squin. Still commentating and still following NBA One E, so that's a tick in every box.
00:06:15
Speaker
That's right. So usually we introduce ourselves for the episodes as what clubs we're from. So I don't think I'll be doing that this season. Lockie halfway through last season, we were kind of introducing you as a commentator for Sutherland Sharks and Sydney Comets. Will that be the case this season?
00:06:33
Speaker
Uh, definitely still Sutherland. Uh, I've got one game for Comets at the moment, which is actually Comets versus Sutherland at Comets. So even when I'm not commentating for Sutherland, I'm still commentating Sutherland. Um, so I guess, yeah, one game so far for Comets. We'll see if there's more, um, or if anyone else needs a commentator. I'm around. Excellent. And, uh, why not if you have the chance and you need a commentator, then definitely hit Locky up.
00:07:02
Speaker
And some other small changes worth mentioning. Well, I shouldn't say small. A great addition to the Eastcott Game Empire is a new website that Locky has very kindly set up at eastcottgame.com where you can find the links to the podcast episodes and more will be uploaded over time. But the thing that I like the most so far is the MBL-1 East roster tracker.
00:07:25
Speaker
I'm going to go on the record and say this is the most reliable and accurate MBL1 East roster tracker compared to other outlets that perhaps have roster trackers. So thanks so much for setting that up, Locky. It's been super helpful and hopefully it didn't take up too much of your time. It's something I've got a lot of practice at doing over the years is keeping rosters together. So why not put it off on the website?
00:07:51
Speaker
And I do like that if you head to our website, you will notice that there are a couple of players that are underlined and that has a link to the official social media posts confirming that they are playing for that club. And you will also notice that there are some rosters that are very long and some rosters that are very short. The only other thing I'll mention about the new website is that keep an eye out over time, because we're hoping to add a merch tab. So if you would like some official eScott game,
00:08:19
Speaker
merchandise. We'll be releasing that sometime during the year as well. So Lucky, let's get into our first episode of season two, hey? Let's do it.
00:08:31
Speaker
All right, so to kick off our first episode of season two, we're going to discuss some of the new rosters for the 2024 season. And this first episode, we're gonna focus on the teams from men's and women's competitions that placed in the bottom eight of last season. So that means obviously the next episode, we're gonna focus on those teams that finished in the top eight
00:08:57
Speaker
We ideally were hoping to also reflect on the team's position from last year and their performance from last year, compare the roster to what they have this year and how perhaps they can improve up the ladder based on the personnel they have for 2024. But as we get into it, it will prove that those predictions are going to be difficult.
00:09:22
Speaker
Let's get into it Lockie. We're going to start with the men's competition. This is places 9th to 16 from the 2023 MBL1 East men's competition. Team that placed 9th was the Illawarra Hawks. They ended the season with a 12-10 win-loss record despite the loaded team that they had. They have so far retained Hobbs
00:09:43
Speaker
Dapush and Lancaster. And it looks like they've got some young talent that was a part
Women's Teams Roster Insights
00:09:50
Speaker
of their extended squad from last year, having announced Ballinger, Keeble and Kami. So only six players officially announced so far, Lockie. What do you take of it? Finally we'll talk about Illawar's stacked roster from last season.
00:10:05
Speaker
Because, of course, Daevo Hickey wasn't there every game. Uh, Waxy, Lucas Walker wasn't there every game. Tim Conrad wasn't there every game. So, for the stacked roster they had, actually having a stacked roster on game day didn't happen.
00:10:20
Speaker
really as often as they would have wanted. I mean everyone wants to make finals but with that roster they had they probably should have picked up a couple more wins here and there. Reach the finals and as you mentioned they've only announced six but I think it's who's in the outs column.
00:10:36
Speaker
is probably more of a talking point at the moment than who's on the ins. Freddie Webb is off to MBL One Central, had his first game the other night. Harry Morris is off to MBL One North where you'll get to commentate on him up at Townsville. Noah Pagotto's at college, so at West Texas A&M University.
00:11:00
Speaker
I think he'll be, if the school lets him, he'll be allowed to play in the off-season, but he's not from Illawarra, so if he comes home, he may not. You know, who knows what happens there, being as he's from Port Macquarie. But I think the biggest news, probably one of the biggest off-season transfers of all, Davo Hickey heading down to Albury-Wodonga. That's definitely big shoes to fill, because when we talked to Freddie last season, a lot of the talk was about him playing
00:11:28
Speaker
with Davo and that backcourt that they had. And now they don't have either of those pieces. I'm hoping that they've got something up their sleeve to fill those pieces of particularly Webb Pagotto and Hickey. Like you said, Hickey is going to be big shoes to fill. He's just come off such a great MBL season with the Illawarra Hawks. It was so interesting to see how much he flourished, especially when there was a bit of a personnel change.
00:11:57
Speaker
And we've all just been waiting for him to really hit the accelerator and be given the opportunity to show what he can do. So it was really, really nice that he was able to finally get that opportunity this season with the Hawkeyes. I do want to say though, that it is a big opportunity for guys like Patti Lancaster and Phil to take over some of those minutes that will be left behind by guys like Harry and Pagotto.
00:12:23
Speaker
Obviously, they're going to have to find some pieces to put around these guys they've got so far, but there's definitely opportunities there for these young guys. Could be sink or swim, but those guys there, I definitely expect to swim. So talking about William Davo Hickey, who, as you mentioned, Lachie signed for Aubrey Wodonga Bandits. And also, it's so great that we were able to keep him in MBL1 East because I imagine he would have had offers from heaps of places. I mean, he's played South before.
00:12:53
Speaker
Yeah, and I mean, he has, you know, personal connections to South as well. So great that we could keep him in this league. Absolutely. So last season, the Aubrey-Wedonga Bandits were flirting with the top eight a little bit, but they ended up placing tense overall. Their record was 11 and 11. Their imports last year was Jameer Coleman and Michael Parkes. And a little bit of Googling shows that Jameer Coleman is currently in Lebanon, and Michael Parkes is currently in Canada.
00:13:23
Speaker
They've also retained Cummings, Sincorak, Miraflores, and Hawkins. And Samuel Webb is coming up from the Youth League men to join the MBL1 roster as well. But speaking of Dave O'Hickey as an addition, tell us about the other new additions to this loaded roster, Lockie.
00:13:41
Speaker
They've brought up Colin McDonald from NBL One South and Kevin Blalock who's been playing in Luxembourg of all places. Actually a place where you see a few players go strangely, but I think the one that
00:13:58
Speaker
everyone already knows and is really looking forward to is Sean Montague making the move down south from Hills to Albury-Wodonga. We already know what Sean can do in this league after last season.
00:14:12
Speaker
Very, very good pickup. Last season they're two imports, both average the best part of 20 points per game. If your imports are having such an impact in the previous season, you've got to make sure you get your imports right in the next season. And going with a player who's already been, you know, solid in this league, he's a proven entity in the league.
00:14:32
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. He's had a season with Hills. He knows what the league's about. He knows the playing style and the caliber of players that we have in this league. His season last year was probably a little bit up and down given that he had a couple of injuries as well. So he didn't have a full opportunity to be able to play a full season to his full capabilities.
00:14:59
Speaker
But yeah, again, another one that we're really pleased and stoked to have back in NBA One East because I'm also told that he did actually have offers from other clubs as well. I think he was talking to clubs in North and Central. But yeah, so really glad that he's landed here in East.
00:15:18
Speaker
Certainly. And then, you know, they bring in Blaylock who, uh, he averaged 15 points per game playing over in Luxembourg. He's, uh, six foot six forward, uh, just any second year out of college. Obviously got some, uh, some runs on the board playing over in, over in Europe and Luxembourg there. So looking forward to seeing, uh, how he goes. It's definitely room
Episode Wrap-up & Listener Engagement
00:15:40
Speaker
for them to, uh, make a run at a final spot in 2024.
00:15:44
Speaker
they're big as well between McDonald Montagu's you know he's not the tallest guy but he's still got size for someone that usually plays a guard Blaylock Sam Webb he's he's a forward and center as well so they've got some serious size I'm guessing there's going to be a lot of pick and roll but I wonder as well we definitely saw
00:16:04
Speaker
Dave O'Hickey with the ball in his hands a lot when he played for Illawarra last season. I wonder if this will give him an opportunity to play off the ball a little bit more, given that you've got some Cummings and Miraflores that could probably do a little bit more ball handling. I think some stream end game between these combinations that Aubrey or Dodonga have got on paper could be pretty exciting.
00:16:26
Speaker
Certainly could. I mean, Waukee Cummings averaged, you know, 21 a game last season and sinker rack led with four assists. So plenty of guys out there who can do plenty with the ball. I mean, that's, that's something every coach wants as many options as possible. Uh, any final thoughts on Aubrey? The guys that have returned will be absolutely stinging from last year. They've recruited well. I really think that your finals are shaped this year, especially their women have already got a championship under their belts as well.
00:16:54
Speaker
you know, that men's size is going to really want to start stamping their authority. Given the Aubrey Wodonga Bandits women's roster, it's a chance that Aubrey could be taking both championships. Definitely a chance. We'll get into the women's roster next episode, so too bad you're not going to get that now. Finishing 11th in the 2023 men's competition was the Sydney Comets. They finished with the same record as Aubrey with 11 wins and 11 losses.
00:17:23
Speaker
And they were probably the first club to announce a very big squad. I guess you could say in the free agency period, they didn't drip feed a roster announcement. They were just like, here's a list, deal with it. But then they also did start to do the individual player posts as well. So it looks like they've managed to retain quite a few players from last year, but also have some big signings coming into the squad this season. Who are you most excited about?
00:17:53
Speaker
I think everybody's like, that has seen the roster would be excited to see Bewally Bales back playing for Comets, Obi-Chai down from Wogan, Charlie Dort, we've seen him in East before, and Ernest Dockers, they've been at Comets before going over to Europe. But the one I'm actually really, really intrigued to watch is Anthony Mundine III, New South Wales junior.
00:18:18
Speaker
played for Cairns last year in MBL1 North but played for New South Wales under 20s. His father says that he's more athletic than he is. And that's straight from the man mundane's mouth apparently is what I've heard. And he doesn't mince his words. He does not mince his words. He only says things unless he really means it. So if he thinks that his kid is more athletic than him. He is one I'm definitely intrigued to watch. He's a big signing. I think he's going to be really lots of fun to watch.
00:18:46
Speaker
So it really interesting that they were able to get all of that talent from MBL One North. I'm hoping that the crowd will get behind Chol Adup and start the chant baby Chol.
00:18:59
Speaker
because that is his Instagram handle, babychol. So look, Comets fans, the opportunity is there for yours for the taking. I might leave that up to you if you commentate a home game at Comets one day. But I have a question here for you. Actually, lots of questions. But an interesting addition to this roster is Nick Fang has left Sutherland. What's up with that? Was as shocked as you. I didn't even get worded up. No one told me I saw the roster and this. Yeah, Nick.
00:19:28
Speaker
The interesting thing with comments is they dropped at least it's a squad of about 15 to start with and then added those those four big names in Buali, Obi, Ernest and Chol. So I've got plenty of players on the roster and I imagine
00:19:45
Speaker
more than a few of them will probably split time between Youth League and and MBL1. And there's a few names coming back. Julian Revel Reed, I was really impressed commentating on him. Matty Wager of course is part of the furniture at Comets and they also got Ben White to come down from Hornsby. So a big question mark for me that I'm going to be interested in keeping an eye on is how well the coaches are going to be able to balance this roster.
00:20:11
Speaker
Well, they say it from NBA, through college, through MBL, through... As the season goes on, the rotations get shorter. You know, who's got to play with who? And yes, MBL won for some players as a stepping stone to, you know, a greater thing. You still have to put out lineups to win games first and foremost on game day. Even if you're trying to develop players. You can't just throw players in for minutes unless there's a real play into it.
00:20:39
Speaker
I imagine that they will be wanting to do better than placing 11th, especially now that they've gone out and recruited so well. So perhaps another top four contender, Sydney Comets men's. I think so. And you remember, they had that massive losing streak last season that really crippled them. They were flying high. And then the middle of the season, they just crashed and burned.
00:21:02
Speaker
But, I mean, you gotta remember Lachie Lonergan, young coach, had another season down at the Hawks this year. He'll have learnt so, so much. I fully expect him to come back as a better coach than he was last year. And as long as he's, you know, in an MBL program, especially one that the season that the Hawks did, I think onwards and upwards for Comets, to be honest. Definitely. Comets by name and by nature, it seems, for 2024.
00:21:28
Speaker
Finishing 12th last season was the Central Coast Crusaders. Their record, compared to the comments above them, was quite different. Their record was six wins and 16 losses. Another team that has gone through significant changes in the offseason, they've even recruited a brand new
00:21:46
Speaker
Coach, John White, who's come from Bendigo, they've got four new players recruiting three from MBL1 South and one from the West. Tommy Akamamoi has returned. Unfortunately, quite a few Crusaders' favourites have exited. Take me through your, I guess, analysis so far of the Central Coast Crusaders men's squad. Locky? The ins are very good.
00:22:09
Speaker
they've given themselves every chance to certainly improve on that 6 and 16 record from last season with their, not just who they brought in, you know, Ben Stevens from West, Robbie Heath,
00:22:23
Speaker
was really good down at Keylaw. Evan Wardlow, whose partner is actually playing A-League women's for Central Coast Mariners this season. And then, you know, they would return to Old Blue Eyes, Luke Cassidy. They got James Trusterman time again, but you mentioned the outs, Squint. I'm sure you're more privy to Crusaders related information than I am. So who won't we be seeing?
00:22:49
Speaker
Unfortunately, Hamish Loader isn't out for the 2024 season. He has taken his chances to London. Rumour has it that Aaron Redhead is not going to return for the 2024 season. Rumour has it that he's gone to play Aussie Rules instead. As good as he was last season, he certainly improved from the season before, you know, had the opportunity to fill the shoes of
00:23:11
Speaker
Callum, AKA Jesus Jenkins. I think there was a little bit of off-court stuff that perhaps was disrupting some of the team chemistry. But the rest on the list on our website, you've got a lot of young players like Alex Bailey, Hayden Gunderson, Isaac Woola, Isaiah Walter.
00:23:29
Speaker
Jamal Schwabe, Seth Chapman, they're still in Youth League and my understanding is that they'll still be in the NBA One men's squad as well. I've spoken to Jamal Schwabe over the last couple of months on and off and he said that he's really liking the new coach in John White. It feels like he has a lot better structure, he's got a good respect from the players straight away and it sounds like the players are really buying into
00:23:55
Speaker
his systems and stuff straight away, which I think this men's team really needed. They needed a lot of change and they needed some stability. So hiring John was perfect. The other out is Nicholas Wooler. He's actually moved up to Brisbane as well. So he's here somewhere. Rumor has it that he's going to play stately.
00:24:14
Speaker
I'm yet to bump into him, but I'm sure I will. A.J. Lawton, I'm not too sure if he plans to come back, given the fact that we've already got Evan, Chen Nye, Robbie Heath, Ben Stephens. I'm not too sure if there's space left for A.J. in that sense. And Robbie Heath, he has an MBL experience too. He played for the Cairns, Tie Pens once upon a time.
00:24:36
Speaker
So hopefully that will be really a good reason for a lot of fans to keep coming and supporting the men's team. I'm going to be really interested to see how everyone balances out. Everyone's obviously going to take on some new roles. It's a big boost for the Central Coast Crusaders men's. I am, you know, a little bit selfish and salty that they decided to put a good men's team together and women's team together just as I've left, but so be it.
00:24:59
Speaker
You just have to support them from afar. I certainly will. I definitely will be supporting them from afar and I'll still try and watch as many games as I possibly can. You can almost bank it now that 6 and 16 is going to be well and truly in the rearview mirror by the end of the season. I know that the GM is very confident that they're going to get two championships this season.
00:25:20
Speaker
Really? Well, I should say that's his goal. His goal is to get two championships this season with these rosters. I know that his personal goal for the club is to at least have two championships within two years, but he seriously thinks that both our men's and women's team for the Crusaders are serious contenders for 2024. So if not 2024, then bank it on 2025.
00:25:43
Speaker
There we go. Bullish from the Crusaders. I know. I like it. I mean, there's no point in being in the league if you're just going to roll around and pick up your six or seven wins each season and, you know, say, well, at least we've got an NBA one team and it keeps juniors here. You know, you might as well do something with the team. Can you imagine if the whole thing was like, oh, let's just pay all this money just to have a bit of fun. And if we win six games, oh yeah, that's, you know, that's a bonus. I could not operate like that. No.
00:26:15
Speaker
And coming in at 13th last season was the Bankstown Bruins.
00:26:19
Speaker
They finished the season with a record of four wins and 18 losses. They've also announced quite a large squad and they have gone on the recruit as well, having recruited brand new players from six different NBA One East clubs. Been able to retain one of their standouts from last season in Hayden Blankley, which was interesting because they did make an official announcement, but if you go to the NBA One East website, he's not actually on the team list, which I thought was funny.
00:26:47
Speaker
Talk me through this Bankstown list. You mentioned six different MBO1 East clubs, but I don't even want to talk about them yet because I want to talk about the man who's making a step up from Warrata League.
00:27:01
Speaker
Andre Walford, a Port Macquarie superstar, led Port Macquarie in their inaugural season to the semifinals. I was lucky enough to call his semifinal game, which Port Macquarie unfortunately lost, but he had an absolute blinder. He was pulling up the 30 footers.
00:27:23
Speaker
could not miss in the first half from three. He's just so much fun to watch. And if he can put together a season even close to what he had at Wartar League level, Bank's going to be a must-watch team just having him on the roster. He was playing as a guard, so they had two imports last season. They had Andre, they had the two drays. They had Andre McPhail as the big, a really good screener, defender, and then Andre Wolf and just cooking in the back court.
00:27:49
Speaker
I do seem to remember saying that MBL1D's clubs would be on his trail after that game, so I'm glad someone picked him up.
00:27:57
Speaker
So we've also got Naaman Hightower, who's come over from East Perth, and then the six recruited from other MBL1 East clubs. Thomas Ramos from Penrith, Thomas Buvak from Comets, Wani Guada from Hills, Cage McLaughlin from Inner West, Nung Myo Dang from Ori Wodonga, and then our boy, Sharice Aipaya, he's coming home to Bankstown.
00:28:24
Speaker
He is. That's a big out for Hornsview. That's a big in for Bankstown as well. We talked to him last season and he's just going to be such a leader for them. They've got other players that will be leaders like Jack Lopez. And you know, thankfully he's been around the traps a while.
00:28:44
Speaker
Sharif, just when you talk to him, you get the feeling that every, you know, he steps in the gym and everything is focused towards the goal. He's very good at turning on and off, gets in the gym, focus.
00:28:59
Speaker
When it's time to have downtime, he's able to step away from the game. And I think, I honestly think that's one thing a lot of players could take from someone like Sharif, is the ability to have that game. Separate yourself? Yeah, separate yourself. Yeah, that's a good way of putting it. He's just, he's obviously an absolute baller on the court as well, don't worry about that. But I think he'll be really good for a team that's looking to build.
00:29:25
Speaker
And he'll be good at not letting them get ahead of themselves when they get wins, and getting down if it's not going exactly as they want. Because maybe they have a goal this year of we want X wins. But every time you put a goal down like that, sometimes it's always one or two wins ahead of where you maybe think you might be.
00:29:46
Speaker
And I think he's going to be really good at helping them steer themselves towards that goal, which is, you know, he was talking about last year at Hornsby as well. And I think he'll be that that's where he'll be good for Bankstown as well. Yeah, you're right. He was talking a lot about that when he was at being a bit more of a leadership role while he was at Hornsby last season.
00:30:05
Speaker
And during the episode we had with him in series one as well, was indicating that he had a lot of plans for his off season, what he was going to work on. He was going to work with, sounded like he was quite excited to get to work in the off season. So I'm really excited to see.
00:30:24
Speaker
the fruits of his labor and of his hard work. I'm really excited to see as well how he and Hayden are going to play off each other. Because they were both very dominant players for their respective teams last season. And sometimes there's that risk of are they going to be able to play together, you know, like Dame and Giannis.
00:30:41
Speaker
two big names coming in the same team, is it going to work? But it certainly can, especially when everyone has the common goal of winning and what's the best for the team. So that they can be a bit of a deadly combination. I think they could. And sometimes it can look like players
00:30:59
Speaker
are more, are being really dominant because they have to be. You know, Hayden, we all know he dropped 50 in that game over in, you know, just so we know he can be lights out when he has to be very, very dominant players for their teams. But I think together, you know, now they're both working together, they can just play off each other more. It might actually help them both to not have to be such focal points. And I'm really interested to learn, perhaps we need to have Curtis Sardi on the show.
00:31:28
Speaker
this season because I'm really interested to learn if he went out and recruited these specific players like Wani Guata from Hills or was Wani willing to try something different and head to Bankstown because they're all very specific people and probably not people that would be on a lot of people's radars to go and recruit. Bit of a moneyball situation. That is exactly the term I was about to use. Is it
00:31:54
Speaker
You've seen these guys play their five, seven minutes a game in MBL1 and you've liked what you've seen and you think you can get more out of them. You've seen them in Youth League and they haven't quite been able to get a run at MBL1. And if you can pick up a few guys like that and you've only got four or five players and if only three of them hit, it's probably still a success.
00:32:16
Speaker
And it's not even four or five players from like the club in the next town. It's everywhere. But some of the outs are Nathan, Nathaniel Brown is not returning for Bankstown and Dragun Elkhaz is not returning. So I'm interested to see if he's going to be playing somewhere. Yeah, I had noticed he hadn't been. Yeah, no, no word on him. But also, Kobi Shannon has been announced of going somewhere else. He's off to Newcastle. The few clips I saw of the Blitz he was out there.
00:32:46
Speaker
lighting it up for the Falcons. And Jack McWilliams, the big man from last season, is off at Oklahoma City University. So we'll see if he is allowed to have a run into the off season or not as well. And now, position 14 from the 2023 men's competition was Manley Waringer Sea Eagles. They finished the year with a four win and 18 loss record. And I'm pretty sure two of those four wins were both against the Crusaders.
00:33:14
Speaker
They are one of the many teams that are coming into this season with the new coach. So Tim Hill is going to be taking over as head coach in the men's program. If you don't know Tim Hill, he's been around as a basketball coach for a long time. He's been a part of many successful manly teams and state teams, whether it's men's or women's, but straight off the back.
00:33:38
Speaker
big signing, Mason Bragg. That is legit. What is happening? I know, right? Last season, yeah, it was a four and 18 and then first off, oh, we got Mason Bragg. And this was a club who in the free agency period, we were wondering like, hey Manly, are you going to announce?
00:33:57
Speaker
any players like are you are you coming to the party in 2024 because you still invited so then they would just kind of like bust the door open with mason bragg uh for those who don't know he played last season with the sunshine coast in nbl one north he's someone that also has nbl experience with the perth wildcats and even won a championship with the perth wildcat so
00:34:21
Speaker
the best experience possible in MBL, I guess you could say. But they've already announced three players officially, Lockie, in Jonas Harper from Boston University, but thankfully they've got Matthew Eldridge back. I think that's the biggest one, getting Matt Eldridge back. He was...
00:34:37
Speaker
ridiculously good for them last season in, you know, in what was a tough season. You know, they've only announced three players, but it looks pretty good because Jonas Harper was a conference defensive player of the year. I'm pretty sure in his last season in college. So those three alone are a very, very good starting point.
00:34:54
Speaker
We don't know a lot about who else is there, but they can fill it out with a decent roster to go with them. Tim Hill as a coach who has mentored a lot of the younger manly players coming through the ranks. Manly, hopefully they can build their men's side like their women's side has been building over the last few years.
00:35:13
Speaker
Yeah, so after the big announcement of Mason Bragg joining the men's side for this season, there's only three players that have been officially announced for the manly wearing a seagulls men's team, but they did attend the NBA one blitz this weekend. So I'm sure that they have a full roster, but they just haven't announced said roster just yet. So it's really hard to determine how they're going to go, what we can expect combinations when we only have three players confirmed.
00:35:41
Speaker
You take those three, they bring back the players. If they can bring back everyone they want from last year's roster alongside those three, that'll still be more competitive than they were last year. Definitely, yeah. They still had some really great bench players who all had their moment to shine in that 2023 season. I think now that they've had a good season together, hopefully their chemistry will continue to build. Everyone will understand their roles a little bit better.
00:36:09
Speaker
I hope Mitchell Evans comes back because he was quite an anchor for them next to Eldridge. We can't really gaze into the crystal ball and give any predictions on Manly just yet. I do want to say though, what I like about Manly, this is talking about Tim Hill, you mentioned he's coached men's, women's, juniors, youth, senior team. It seems that Manly, they're very good at getting coaches to coach a wide variety of teams.
00:36:39
Speaker
Like, if you think Rad is coaching youth like women and dominating, but he's coached all kinds of other manly teams as well. And I like that coaches aren't getting pigeonholed or are not choosing to be pigeonholed into men's or women's basketball. It just allows more opportunities for yourself, especially as the women's game grows. If all you've ever done is coach men's basketball,
00:37:06
Speaker
and suddenly a good women's opportunity comes up. It's suddenly you're behind the eight ball against anyone else who's actually coached both men's and women's and coached at a variety of age levels. Yeah, that's a really sound observation about the manly organization as well. And I mean, even their women's coach, Nathan Kirwan, who was coach of the year last year, I've always known him to be a men's coach and he slotted into the role of women's head coach very nicely. So
00:37:35
Speaker
Yeah, very good point, Lockie, very good point. Rolling right along, finishing 15th in the 2023 season was the Paneras Panthers, who were also making their debut in MBL 1 East last season. Very, very young squad. They finished with a win-loss record of three and 19. They've so far announced four players. Two are actually from Hills and two are the famous brothers from Paneras who carried the team last season.
00:38:03
Speaker
So talk to me about it, Lucky. Well, you say two players are from Hills, but let's be real, those two players are from Penrith because Benny Kieran and Josh Carley are originally from Penrith and moved to Hills because Penrith didn't have an MBL1 team in season one of MBL1 East. But we've seen so often that teams that drop out of the league can never recruit their players back. But fortunately,
00:38:28
Speaker
Penrith have been able to get two of their players to come back to the club, which is massive. Of course, Ben Kieran, former Sydney King, Josh Carl, he's been around the league for a long time. It's very good for Hills. And of course, Caleb and Jaden Fatui-Fahamai, as you said,
00:38:47
Speaker
carried the team, though, grading youth league when they played there, solid stepping up. And these four guys feel like they could be a real solid core for Penrith. You've got the two experienced guys in Kieran and Karli. They all appear to be Penrith through and through, just because.
00:39:07
Speaker
They spend a year, those two, I spend a year at Hills, doesn't mean anything. They're still all Panerith boys. It feels like it's something they can build around, those four players. I agree. And Caleb really came into his own as the season progressed last year. He became a focal point. He started to perform really consistently.
00:39:29
Speaker
and cementing himself as a great post player in the league. So I imagine that he would have had a pretty good offseason. So it was a great signing for Jared to make sure that he gets Caleb back and of course, Jayden. And yeah, like you said, a bit of a homecoming for Ben and Josh. So I'm sure that the Penrith fans will be super happy to see that. But compared to the squad from last season, a couple of question marks.
00:39:57
Speaker
I'm really hoping, oh, we know that Thomas Ramos has gone to Bankstown, as we mentioned earlier, hoping that Pranayas Sakhya comes back. Masamino and Beaumont Tafua, he started to have a couple of good games. So I'm hoping that those three at least come back. Have you heard of any rumors? Well, I saw Masamino's name on a Waratar League team for another club. So maybe for Blacktown.
00:40:26
Speaker
Same with James Caban and Preston Matea. So I'm pretty sure over the weekend I saw all three of those names on Waratah League, either in Youth League or Waratah Men. So I don't think those three will be back. I mean, if they're already playing for another club, it's pretty obvious they won't be back. But I haven't, I haven't heard about Nay or Beaumont Tufua.
00:40:47
Speaker
All right, so we haven't got any other reason to believe that they won't be coming back. But again, like I said, this will be a continuous theme in this episode and the next of being hard to look into the crystal ball and make some predictions about what this team's going to look like, given that we only have four players confirmed. Starting to, the number of players announced is starting to mirror the table. So last but not least was Hornsby, Kerengi Spiders, who finished 16th
00:41:17
Speaker
in their debut season in NBA One East with a 1-21 win-loss record. It was quite an up and down season for them. They were still very competitive throughout
00:41:28
Speaker
Like we mentioned earlier, relying heavily on Sharif's side payer to steer their ship. But another team that has a brand new coach in Tim Hudson, who him himself has a long history of being a player and a coach at a high level. But unfortunately, another roster where they've only announced four players lucky. Not just that they've only announced four, they've been ransacked, basically their roster.
00:41:54
Speaker
Ben White to Comets. Caleb Maguire is over at Cape Town playing in the Basketball Africa League. Pat Fraser has gone back. He's originally from North. He's obviously done well enough that North have given him a spot on their MBL1 roster. Charisse going to Bankstown. I'm pretty sure I saw Corbina Brefo's name on Inner West Youth League roster on the weekend.
00:42:20
Speaker
I have to confirm that, but that would be another big loss for them. And Peitock-McCar is over in Iowa at Indian Hills Community College. Some really big outs because Fraser and Saipaya, both obviously in their top scorers and several of these other players putting up some decent stats as well last season. Yeah, Fraser was also really, really good.
00:42:47
Speaker
I'm selfishly glad that he's gone to North where, like you said, it's his original club, but he's going to have a lot more success and stability over there, I think, under coach Angus Burke. So it's a good move for him. Another team that have announced only four players, however, they have participated in the NBA one A splits this weekend. So they obviously have enough.
00:43:12
Speaker
players. I'm just going to have to continue to stalk the Instagrams of Matt McQuaid and two feet in the paint to see if I can work out who was actually there suiting up for some of these teams. Results are up for today and they ran Penrith within eight so they only lost 80-72 to Penrith today at the Blitz.
00:43:32
Speaker
Do you know much about this roster so far that Hornsby have assembled? They've got Raymond, Takshi, Cody Finch, Daniel Garrett returning, and Nathaniel Chappell. I have to say that a rare lapse in my knowledge of players, all young players,
00:43:54
Speaker
Hornsby juniors and players from slightly further afield. But yeah, it's not a roster I'm very au fait with, unfortunately, but we'll have to see what their other pieces are. And as you mentioned, all those wonderful people putting highlight videos and clips and everything up on Instagram at the Blitz over the weekend, you have a little bit of insight in what they can produce. And the boys over at Two Foot in the Paint are going to be commentating for Hornsby again this season. So
00:44:24
Speaker
I'm sure that they're going to be very well prepared with their personnel by the time round one kicks off.
00:44:30
Speaker
Okay, now we're going to turn our attention to the women's competition with the same format of discussing the teams who came in the bottom eight in the 2023 season. And the top of the list was the Bankstown Bruins who just missed out on finals contentions, placing ninth overall with a win-loss record of 11 and 11. And this roster so far is looking very familiar. It really is. It is Sands Hennessy's.
00:45:00
Speaker
But aside from that, it pretty much returns everyone. Yeah, including the two imports that were standouts for the Bruins and in the league last season in Brittany Wright and Violet Capri Morrow.
00:45:12
Speaker
Yeah, and that is absolutely massive. As I said earlier, if you can get imports that you know are a proven quantity, and especially if you're bringing back the same two players, obviously they were doing something right for you to want them back, and you must have been doing something right as a club for them to want to come back. They got a pretty young team there, but they're all a year older than they were last year, and that's only going to help.
00:45:40
Speaker
Yeah, they were all certainly able to stand up on their own two feet last season, giving that they are a young and emerging roster. And having said that, I'm quite hopeful that they will be able to be just as competitive, if not more so, having a year's experience under their belt. Do you think they're going to be able to crack the top eight or top six this time?
00:46:04
Speaker
A, we don't know if Brie or Jayden, oh, Maymoen and Barnes respectively, Hennessey's, are back. They haven't been announced. I mean, they'd be getting to John Farnham levels of comeback to go around again. Or should we say Lauren Jackson levels of comeback. Oh, it's about equal. So yes, the young players have improved, but the league's gotten better as well.
00:46:31
Speaker
And that's going to be the sticking point. I mean, that was so close last year. I mean, I would never write them off because they could just easily finish six or seven last year as finish nights. These young players, if they can step up, if they're, you know, Brittany and Cappy just as good again, they're, of course, they're a chance. It's going to be tough. It's going to be just as tough as last season, if not tougher. But I think that whole team having
00:46:58
Speaker
a full season under their belt, especially the young players, they're all a year older, some have got international experience, some have got state team experience. It'll be one of those teams where if you are in top four contention, you still can't take the game against Bankstown lightly, regardless of where they are on the ladder at the time, because that will be one of those teams that can snatch a win from under you and make make life very hard for yourself in the back end of the season. That's why I have those teams every year. It's just that team where
00:47:28
Speaker
They're going to, you know, you're going to finish one win short of where you want it to be. And are you going to be, we just didn't turn up for that game against Bankstown and Bankstown to a full advantage. Yeah. Exactly. And that could be the game that gets Bankstown into the finals. Yeah, exactly. I think that's, that's, they're going to be that team in the women's court. Yeah.
00:47:51
Speaker
And that's the worst. The team that's a nuisance but can't make finals, or isn't going to make finals, they don't always get up enough. But the team that's a nuisance and can still make finals, but still has something to play for, that's the team you don't want to face in the last two or three weeks of the season. All right, rolling into 10th position was the Canberra Nationals. They finished the season last year with a win-loss record of 10 and 12.
00:48:16
Speaker
They had their ups and downs as well last season with some injuries. They had the wonderful new addition of Izzy Bourne late in the season and that kind of gave them the push that they needed in the back end of the season. For 2024 we've swapped an Izzy and we've gained a Cally Bourne who's still returning from an ACL injury so I think this will be her first full season since
00:48:39
Speaker
being injured at college. She's been doing some work in, well, I shouldn't say the off season, but she was in the extended train on squad for the UC Canberra Capitals last season. So she hasn't been completely sidelined. She's been rehabbing, I think at the center of excellence from what I've heard. She's been involved with the caps and have access to the full capabilities of having access to the caps, you know, on and off the court. She's been doing some work with Lizzie Tonks
00:49:07
Speaker
uh, in preparation as well, I've seen on Instagram and Lizzie Tonks is now part of the complete athlete project who was started by Loz Mansfield and Brooke Basham from the Adelaide Lightning. Uh, yeah, so she's, I think that her return is going to be a spectacle. Speaking of returns, someone who announced their retirement at the end of last season is not actually retiring.
00:49:32
Speaker
You want to talk about John Farnham Comebacks. Bianca Dufoumaya, yes, did announce her retirement and now she has announced her return. So I think we're going to have to have her on the show, Locky, to get some more information as to what happened there, what was going on. My understanding was that her retirement was perhaps, her early retirement was perhaps prompted by
00:49:58
Speaker
some ongoing injuries or concussions or something or a lack from what I've heard but like I said we'll have to have Bianca on the show to confirm but nonetheless we're really really glad to have her back in the league so that's exciting she's a very well experienced player herself having played WNBL back in the day as well I think in Bendigo she's probably itching to get back onto the court another player
00:50:21
Speaker
much younger, the one-time winner of a $10,000 half court shot at a WMBL grand final, Katie Rowe making her return. Yeah, I'm really glad to see that she's coming back to basketball. I really enjoyed her, like she's a, she's a great point guard, but what I like the most about her game was her on-ball defense. You did not want to be guarded by Caitlin Rowe.
00:50:44
Speaker
at all. So I'm glad that she's come back. And then the final player that's making a return to a Canberra roster is Maddie Penn. I think at the end of last season, she had actually moved to Canberra already and was making her way back to the coast for home games. So she's been in Canberra for a little while now. And yeah, she's suiting up for the Nationals. And I mean, it's
00:51:09
Speaker
Great that they've got all these players back, um, because like you said, Izzy Bourne, um, is going to Keylor and MBL one South, but Abby Solway, um, managed to secure a gig up in Darwin with the Saltys. Yes. Love that for Abby Solway. I'm really glad that she's taken the plunge, uh, to broaden her game and to get in a different environment and be seen by different coaches and going up with the Saltys.
00:51:35
Speaker
They are both Keylaw and the Darwin Salty's women's teams are loaded. Oh, legit. They are. Yeah. Every time I look at the MBL1 South roster tracker, it seems like Keylaw have added another piece and another big piece.
00:51:53
Speaker
Yeah, not just A-piece, it's like a significant piece as well. They're basically a WMBL team. But yeah, great for Abby Solway to spread her wings and go up north. The rest of the roster looks pretty familiar though from last season. Hopefully Chloe Tuleak gets a full season in. Abby Kettles is back. Yeah, Jazz Boot sauce, Chloe away, Harper Andrews, Elise Finney. Yeah, all that Nicky Warner, all those other pieces that they put around the star players last year.
00:52:23
Speaker
And also missing Mia Slater who has started her career at Gannon University and Alison Francis is over at Southern Nazarene University as well. So quite a few players moving on. Mia Slater actually in the Elite Eight for NCAA D2.
00:52:42
Speaker
at Gannon, so alongside fellow Canberra and Maddie Wheatley. In 11th place for the women's competition in 2023 was the Central Coast Crusaders, another team who has made some really big moves in the off-season. They finished last year with a win-loss record of 8 and 14.
00:53:05
Speaker
They were that team who also you couldn't really take lightly, but they were very hot and cold last season. Some games, they didn't turn up other games. They well and truly turned up. Like when they beat manly at home, which was certainly a highlight. But, uh, there was a lot of games that were within their grasp of winning, but they were just unable to finish. So hence the eight and 14 record, but big moves in the off season, big moves. I know there's one in particular that you perhaps would like to talk about.
00:53:35
Speaker
I'd like to talk about plenty of the moves and I guess you're talking about Christina Moore. Yes. Yes, I am. Yes. Christina Moore. Yes. Came back from college, played for Florida and then Georgetown. So two pretty big programs there. Played three games for Hornsby last season and averaged 26 points per game. Went over to Europe.
00:54:03
Speaker
and is now back with a vengeance for the Central Coast Crusaders. That is a massive, massive signing. That entire starting five for the Crusaders has either been in or around WMBL programs.
00:54:19
Speaker
That's right. I mean, Forkadilla has been trained on. Danica Rowe played for the Flames back in the day. Christina Morris, WMBL Calabar. Sarah Matthews has been trained on squads for the Flames. I think Kate Cranny, was she ever a DP back in the day? She was a train on, I'm pretty sure. And Nicole Hutchins spent time. Was it in the Sparks program officially or even though she was at least around the academy?
00:54:47
Speaker
Yeah, I think she definitely got around the academy, and I think she also came very close to being one of the Canberra Capitals DPs for last season. Comparing the squad from last season, Rachel Mayampa is now their head coach, so she is the one behind the super recruiting in the off season. Sarah Matthews will be coming back from an ACL injury. They've also managed to recruit Taran Mani, who most people in the East would know from Hills Hornets, but
00:55:14
Speaker
most recently played for Southwest Metro Pirates here in NBL1 North. And Gabby Turnbull has gone from the Inner West Bulls to Crusaders. But I do think Kate Cranny is worth more than a passing mention. Yes, please take it away because we love Kate Cranny. Because Kate Cranny was
00:55:36
Speaker
a star for Norths. We're talking back when I first started watching Warrata League. So 2014, 2015. Just grabbing rebounds for fun. Blocking shots. I think it's best described as I've watched, might've been a Warrata League All-Stars team play against the COE.
00:56:02
Speaker
And I said, Kate Cranny just got Kate Crannied by Ezzie Magbago. That's such a huge comparison. And it was because that's basically what it was like watching like that Kate Cranny was doing what Ezzie does at Waratah level, but at Waratah level. So she's getting a taste of her own medicine to someone who'll be a future Olympian.
00:56:26
Speaker
And I'm just thinking it's so great to have her back in the lake. I mean, North's legend, right? That's, you know, the club I've ever associated her with. Um, but yeah, great to have her back. She is a Coastie born and bred, but, uh, I think there was definitely a time. Because there was a long period of time where the Crusaders didn't have a women's program. And in that time we lost a lot of great players. So, uh, Jazz Folkadilla, I think went to Newcastle, Dinaka went to Hornsby.
00:56:56
Speaker
Kate went to North's. Um, so yeah, that's, that's all great that they're all eventually found their way back home now together. Um, they'll also still have the likes of Michaela Miller. She's super handy defensively, uh, gives a nice spark off the bench. Um, we have lost quite a few, a number of players to state league. They're going to be part of the central coast wave state league program, but
00:57:22
Speaker
some of the up-and-coming talent from Youth League women like Bronte Moore, Sam McCubbin, and Casey Quigley. And I think Bre Kelly as well. I'm pretty confident that they'll be in the MBL1 squad as well. I was very, very happy to hear Casey Quigley's back. Me too. She has so much potential and she is one of the nicest people on and off the court. And I think her under the wing of Rach and Hutch, she's just going to flourish.
00:57:51
Speaker
I mean, with recruiting like this, the only question is, what's the ceiling for this Central Coast team this season?
00:57:59
Speaker
I think typically, like all Central Coast Crusaders teams historically, they would just be their own worst enemy. We always have the potential to have a great season, but it's usually our own undoing that holds us back. So I don't think this team has a ceiling unless they place a ceiling on themselves. And I mean, you mentioned they either turned up or didn't last you. I mean, you finished 11th.
00:58:28
Speaker
with eight wins and you beat Manly, there's five teams below you. You know, you probably could have picked up a fair few more than eight wins throughout the season. Okay. So finishing 12th in the 2023 season for the women's competition was the inner west bulls. They also have a new coach this season with Alicia Poto, leaving horn speaker in guy spiders to take on the head coach's role at inner west.
00:58:58
Speaker
This is a complete blank page on our East roster tracker on East Got Games website. Absolute blank page because they have officially announced nobody. That's right. The only information we have so far is what has been gleaned from Matt McQuaid's Instagram. Correct. Which is a little bit but not a lot.
00:59:23
Speaker
Yeah, tell us about that little bit because that little bit is still pretty significant. A little bit is not little at all. So, it looks like Inner West have signed P.F. Gabriel. So, who spent a couple of years at a college program you might have heard of called the University of Connecticut. Oh, yeah, I think I've heard of them before. They're supposed to be kind of good as well, aren't they? Yeah, they've won a few natties.
00:59:53
Speaker
She also went to the University of Massachusetts. She is Wenyan Gabriel's sister. So Wenyan Gabriel, the NBA player slash I think South Sudan national team representative. Six foot five. So definitely hang with anyone in the league for height.
01:00:14
Speaker
potentially, well, a big signing in terms of size, but also a potentially big signing in terms of just a solid import player. And for longtime NBA One East fans and players like us, how we're always yearning
01:00:32
Speaker
for some more bigs and true centers to enter the women's competition. Our prayers have been answered because we've got the likes of Ash Hannon and LJ returning for Aubrey, which we'll discuss more next episode. And now Piaf Gabriel at 6'5". Now, when I saw Matt McQuaid's Instagram posts from the Blitz, I noticed her and I thought she
01:00:53
Speaker
looks really really tall and she looks like she's got tremendous length but that was in comparison to some of her tiny guards next to her. No, she is a certified big at 6'5". Oh my goodness, RIP anyone that has to guard her. Especially with the Yukon background because that is um that is bragging rights for the rest of your life. When you can say you were recruited to the same college as Sue Bird and Brianna Stewart
01:01:19
Speaker
and the rest. So who's the second signing as well for Inner West Bulls? So the other one I gleaned from photos or from tags of photos was Shiho Yamazaki is returning to the Inner West Bulls. A few outs have been announced courtesy of
01:01:36
Speaker
other clubs or rumours or not being there anymore. I guess the three officially announced by other clubs or have been seen in other clubs are Abbio Flynn and Jake Yeomans are at Comets and Naomi Reed has made the trip up the road to Hornsby. Yeah, so just a few outs but nothing really announced yet. Zoe Rolston from last year's team has been playing in Youth League.
01:02:05
Speaker
And Bridie White from Aubrey Wodonga was listed on Inner West's Youth League roster. So I assume it's Aubrey Wodonga's Bridie White unless there's two players with the same name. Interesting. And guessing that she's Youth League, perhaps she has actually moved like for uni or something like that. I would say that's highly possible.
01:02:28
Speaker
Yes, so it's a good chance it is the same person. But excited for Shiho Yamazaki, glad she's playing again, and perhaps an opportunity to build on her season from last year. Maybe she'll have a bigger role. And I'm hoping that Maya Perich lands somewhere that she plays again, because she was having some success last season. But I can guarantee that Dompkins and Mitchell won't be returning to inner West Bulls.
01:02:57
Speaker
No, and also no Tassie Haynes this season. Actually bumped into Tassie a couple of times recently, randomly. She's a international wheelchair rugby referee. Wow. So this being a Paralympic year, I mean, she's quite busy. I'm pretty sure she was over in New Zealand for the qualifiers that the Australian national team just qualified for the Paralympics. I'm pretty sure she was involved over there.
01:03:26
Speaker
That's outstanding and so random. That's not what I was expecting you to say at all. I'm a treasure trove of information sometimes. And a perfectly good reason why you're not going to play MBL one. This is in contention to refereeing at the Paralympics. So fingers and toes crossed for you, Tasman.
01:03:47
Speaker
and moving right along now to 13th place was the Illawarra Hawks and they finished their season with a five win 17 loss record and they have it looks like they've made some pretty significant announcements already for the nbl one east season personally the three i'm most excited to see on court again together a Lauren Gatwood
01:04:12
Speaker
Courtney Jardine and Rachel White. It took me a long time to figure out who Rachel White was because I've always known her as Rachel Taylor, forgetting that she is in fact married to Kevin White. And when she was playing back in the day, she was very competitive, very strong, great shooter from the outside. I'm hoping that she will be able to return to some of that form in NBL One East because she can be a real boost for this team.
01:04:40
Speaker
You say Gatwood, Jardine and White. Anyone returning to watch MEL1 for the first time in a decade would think these are all brand new players. Yeah, it's taken me like a good season to get used to as well because that's not the names that I know them of either. It is so cool to see them back, but it's also great to... I mean, five wins for this team is... They're going to be looking that in the rearview mirror this year. But you can always guarantee that. I've got Georgia Ordov back.
01:05:11
Speaker
Lauren Calvers made the move back from Sutherland back to our home club, Villawara. Ruby McDonald is back from college. Massive for them. Um, someone who's a little bit more reliable under the basket and to help out Courtney Jardine a little bit more. Obviously you'll have Lauren Calver who's able to provide that too. Um, but having Ruby McDonald with all of her experience at the COE and Australian junior teams and our college coming back to her home club is massive.
01:05:42
Speaker
Fullerton's loss is our game. Definitely. And there are a few more players, because I went down to watch Illawarra play Penrith in pre-season friendly a couple of weeks ago. So Amelia Garcia Leon was there, Mel Kirby was there, Michaela Kirby was there. Madison Delaney was assistant coaching. I'm starting to get a sense that this team is going to be similar to what we said about Bankstown.
01:06:12
Speaker
They're going to be one of those teams where, yeah, they didn't have the best season last year. Perhaps they didn't perform as well as they could have, especially, you know, with the win-loss record. But I don't think that it's definitely not a team you're going to want to take lightly now that aren't all for McDonald or back. Oh, absolutely not. And, um, well, it's like Imogen Thompson and Charlotte Giles. I mean, they're kids, but they play above their age as well. You know, we're now in an era where youth league draw doesn't necessarily match up
01:06:42
Speaker
with seniors anymore, like it used to a lot of the time back in Warrata League. Especially in the women's comp, because I think there's a couple of new clubs that have been added to the point where I've heard rumours that they may even be considering like a Div 1, Div 2 for women's and you know, the team that places last in Div 1 will be relegated, which is what they've already set up in the Youth League men's competition. So I think Youth League women's heading in that direction
01:07:11
Speaker
But I'm hoping that MBL1 East continues to grow and strengthen enough that we, teams won't have to rely on the Youth League squads anymore. I think that's always been a bit of an issue for a lot of clubs in the East, especially when you compare it to the clubs in the other competitions. Hopefully we're getting to that point where that won't happen anymore. Yeah. And I mean, it can also be an effect of Youth League being, is it now under 23?
01:07:40
Speaker
So you've got players who are actually like, probably should just be playing MBL one, but are still playing Youth League because, you know, they can help your team to a Youth League Championship. Exactly. Like Sarah Matthews and Bronte Moore, I think are still playing.
01:07:56
Speaker
I know that Bronte Moore is about to start her seventh or eighth Youth League season because she started so young as in the train on squad and because now they've increased the age she can continue to play so she will hold the record at our club for most number of seasons played in Youth League.
01:08:16
Speaker
In 14th position last season was the Paneras Panthers, again, in their debut season in the NBL One East. Another brand new coach. I think that, you know, next episode will probably cover how many new coaches we're going to have in NBL One East. Cause it seems like a large change of the guards across the board. Unfortunately, another team who have only announced very small number of players, but played at the blitz. But I mean, one of those three players is pretty outstanding.
01:08:46
Speaker
Yeah, Talia Tupaya, you know, I mean, WMBL, WNBA Draft D, played for Australia, played for New Zealand, playing in the WMBL at age 15, dropped 44 on COE last year. So, I mean, we all know how good Talia is and she alone will keep Penrith competitive in games.
01:09:14
Speaker
The challenge for her is can she stay healthy? She has had issues with her shoulder unfortunately on and off for a little while which is what was disrupting her season last year and I'm glad that she was fit enough to play at the Asia Cup last year where she suited up for New Zealand.
01:09:34
Speaker
And she played really, really well. It was like she hadn't missed a beat on the international stage. But unfortunately, I think she sustained her injury at that competition and then was unable to continue with NBA 1-E. So hopefully, fingers crossed, she's OK. Because she was due to play return to the UC Canberra caps after last NBA 1 season, but her injury kept her out. So yeah, fingers crossed that she'll be able to play a whole season.
01:10:03
Speaker
Hopefully, and um, I mean they've only announced three, but um, I did see Kate Pozzaglou and Margaret Byrne at their pre-season game against Illawarra and Meg Crainer, who I haven't seen on a court in I don't know how long, a long time. But speaking of Megs, no Meg Jefferson.
01:10:28
Speaker
That's a big loss for them. Big loss. Yeah. Um, cause obviously they relied on her a lot for that inside presence and even more so once Talia went out with injury. So big loss for Penrith, um, in that respect. Certainly is because I mean, we, we talk about like that 40 odds, she's Gordian, COE, but when you have someone like Meg on court with you, the defense can't just entirely focus on Talia. So you take away that second option and suddenly
01:10:59
Speaker
people are going to be swarming Talia rather than at least having to show some respect to the rest of the team. Speaking of, moving to Hills. Hills came 15th last season, finishing last year with a win-loss record of 4-18.
01:11:19
Speaker
Another one who, for a long time, didn't make any announcements of players. And they've probably only just started to make some announcements in the last same month. But for the women's team, we've got quite a few people coming back, which is good to see. Some of their core players and longstanding players, including Cassandra Petney. And I'm still gonna call her Taylor Cotties, but it's now Taylor Moss.
01:11:49
Speaker
But yeah, like we said, new signing in Meg Jefferson and someone who you've been trying to keep an eye on for a while, Hannah Griffin. Yeah, so Hannah Griffin at Comets last season.
01:12:03
Speaker
kind of stuck behind Shyla Hale and Vanessa Penousis in the back court. And he also been kind of looking for some back court helps, point guard. Because last year was a bit of a transitional year in the back court for them. We had Robbie Clayton on last year and we discussed that exact issue. But yeah, getting Hannah Griffin in, that should be a real big help for them.
01:12:31
Speaker
And they've got two imports as well. Rebecca McLemore, who played at IUPUI, so in Indianapolis, and then moved across town to Butler as a grad student. So pretty big program player playing in the Big East. The other import is Emmakari, who played, who is Canadian, and played at the University of Alberta for the Pandas, which is just an absolutely brilliant team name.
01:13:00
Speaker
for Alberta Pandas. Yeah, so the men's team are called the Golden Bears and the women's team are called the Pandas. Stop it. I want to be a fan of this college purely based on that name. But she averaged 16.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in her senior year at college.
01:13:20
Speaker
Shot over 40% from three point range in two of her years. Both the imports could probably play the two, three. They're both around six foot. You've got Meg, Jefferson inside, and Hannah Griffin at the point. We'll see how they put it all together. But I don't think they've, like, the good thing is they haven't just gone out and got players. Like, they've got players who are going to, who can all be put into a lineup together.
01:13:46
Speaker
compliment each other. That's the word I'm looking for. Thank you. You complimented my little anecdote there. Yeah, I think they could go Pentney at the four maybe in Jefferson at the five and who knows what they might do. And they've got Taylor Cotties there to just
01:14:05
Speaker
be one of the best athletes in the league and just get up and down court, which is always very fun to watch. I'm also looking forward to watching the continued improvement of L.A. Lesuasu, Young Big,
01:14:21
Speaker
really hoping she gets an increased role this season. That'd be really good to see because I think this Hills team can really take another step. They're coming from a long way back with last season's record, but they've gone out. I've got a few players. Their only real main out is Kelsey Curtin, who's headed over to Perth Redbacks in NVR1 West. We're losing all the Curtins. We lost Abby to Darwin.
01:14:47
Speaker
We're losing Kelsey to Perth. Yeah. I mean, yeah, they're coming from a long way back, but I think they're going to be on an upward trajectory and really a matter of, it's a matter of A, how they can put everything together with the starting five and get their starting five meshing and gelling. And then do they have the depth overall to, you know, put an entire season together because it's rare that you get, you know, through 20 games without some sort of hiccup along the way.
01:15:16
Speaker
Again, last but not least, it is Hornsby Keringa women. They finished the season with a win-loss record of 1-21.
01:15:28
Speaker
quite a turbulent season for them last year, a few people coming in and out of the team at times. So probably considering it was their debut in NBA One East, not an ideal start, a lot of instability, but I'm glad to see that they're coming back. And so far, the players they have announced is really strong. Yeah, it really is, including one of Australia's best young players in Jesse May Hall. I mean,
01:15:55
Speaker
Jesse May Hall and Keira Hudson, that's young, but that's good. Very good, very good. And when Lockie says that Jesse May Hall is one of the best young players in the country, that's not her hyperbole, that is legit. She had an outstanding tournament at the Under 16 Asia Cup for Australia last year, definitely expecting her to be picked in the Under 17
01:16:21
Speaker
squad for the World Cup this year. She is Bankstown born and bred, I think, but I think she goes to Barker College now, so hence why Hornsby is an easier option for her. And Dayla Walker has come back to Hornsby from Maitland. Yeah, so that's another nice addition to the team. I had a couple of seasons up there, but yeah, coming back to Hornsby would be a nice addition.
01:16:47
Speaker
Yeah, they've got, I did manage to sneak a peek at some Instagram photos and saw that Naomi Reed, as we mentioned earlier from in the West, has moved over to Hornsby. Sarah Cherry's there, of course, as well as, you know, she's part of the furniture up there at the brick pit. She's another brick in the brick pit. On Japanese side, that's been a theme recently around the league is some Japanese signings and they signed Haru Inamura, who
01:17:18
Speaker
They're pretty excited about up there as well. So a few good, good pieces coming together. I'd be highly, highly surprised if they finished one and 21 again. The last other signing that they've announced is Nikki Sainsbury, who I believe is a
01:17:33
Speaker
Hornsby Junior who's spent some time in college and is now coming back to make her MBL1 debut. So it's a very promising start. Great to see Sarah Cherry still playing as well. She's, like you said, been a pretty consistent person for the Hornsby squad and I think she's going to be able to provide some balance and maturity to this very young existing squad.
01:17:56
Speaker
I'm sure where Tyler Mundine is going to play. I wonder if she's going to go play for Inner West under Alicia Poto. It seems most likely. I mean, that's the couple of players they'll have to replace is Poto and Mundine. I mean, you can say they have to replace Christina Mortem. She was only there for three games, so it's not really. It's not really fair to say they have to replace her because
01:18:21
Speaker
They barely had her, to be honest. And I think they will. They also have an Indonesian national team player, Debbie Crystalline, I believe her name was. So she played a lot of 3x3, pretty solid member of the Indonesian national team.
01:18:41
Speaker
picking up players from unexpected places. You can find talented players. It doesn't matter where they come from. So that wraps up our first episode of season two, discussing the teams that placed in the bottom eight from the 2023 season and some of the roster changes. Well, a lot of big roster changes that we have seen from last season to this season. Before we finish up tonight, Lockie, any final thoughts?
01:19:07
Speaker
Watch NBL One East. And just another reminder, please head to our new website, EastGotGame.com, where you can find accurate and reliable NBL One East roster tracker. Hopefully some of the lovely coaches in the league that listen to us will find that helpful, but I'm sure they've already done their homework.
01:19:27
Speaker
Also want to mention that if you're someone who likes to make predictions ahead of the season, and you've already got a bit of a sense of who you think is going to make top four, who's going to be Coach of the Year, MVP, tell us your picks. Send us a direct message on Instagram at escotgame, because we'd love to hear your opinion. But otherwise, Locky, thank you for joining me for our very first episode of season two.