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Season 4 Episode 10: It's Shark Week
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Lachy is joined by special guest co-host, Olivia Douglas from the Sutherland Sharks. This episode covers:
NBL1 East discussion points:
- Albury-Wodonga Men get their first win!
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Men defeat Canberra
- POTW - Newcastle’s Nicole Munger
- Sutherland - Five double headers + a trip to Canberra in the last seven weeks
Plus
Game review of Sutherland Sharks vs. Central Coast Crusaders (W) with Olivia providing her exclusive perspective.
Remember to subscribe and leave a review or comment. Most of all, don't sleep on the East.
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Transcript
Introduction and NBL One East Overview
00:00:29
Speaker
Good evening and welcome to a special early episode of Scott Game where we give you the X's, the O's and the insights of NBL One East.
00:00:40
Speaker
Thank you for joining us tonight live on YouTube and Instagram. Remember you can follow us on Instagram and Facebook at East Scott Game. or you can continue to find our episodes on your preferred streaming platforms. And while you're there, check out Cut to the Jace, a podcast featuring current Bankstown Bruin Jason Caddy, and It's a Cold World, a podcast by WNBL champion Beck Cole, both brought to you by basketball.com.au.
00:01:07
Speaker
And tonight we have a very special
Interview: Liv Douglas on Sharks' Victory
00:01:09
Speaker
guest. It is all Sutherland all the time tonight because we have Sharks Star Ford Centre, Liv Douglas.
00:01:19
Speaker
Liv, thank you so much for joining me. but thank you for having me, Lachie. I mean, i know I've got some notes planned and thank goodness we do because otherwise we'll just talk about the Sharks all day. oh what What I do every Saturday, so what don't really change things too much. And there you are.
00:01:38
Speaker
Fresh off a win for Sharks against the Central Coast, which we'll get into a bit later. But after a few losses in a row, I have to be happy with that. Yes, relieved. remember Yeah, absolutely. but we We do have a few things to talk about because, of course, it's not all Sutherland in this league.
Aubrey-Wodonga’s First Win and Overcoming Challenges
00:01:59
Speaker
um few discussion points. And the first one I wanted to bring up, because you would have seen them live not long ago, is the Aubrey Wodonga men getting their first win of the season. and They're at Inner West on the Sunday. Now, you would have seen them play just a couple of weeks ago down in Aubrey. And surely they're better than a team that's only got one win.
00:02:19
Speaker
Yeah, well, it's actually funny you mention that because something that's... happened last weekend when we were down Albury. That's never happened before in my entire basketball career. um I believe it was just before halftime where the fire alarm went off and the entirety of Lauren Jackson Sports Centre had to evacuate the building. So our boys, of course, had a bit of momentum leading into that break, but the fire engines were on the way and it kind of disrupted the whole play. But from what I did see um of the game, it was... It was close, but um obviously rooting for the boys to come with the win, which they resulted in in doing so.
Hornsby Keringa’s Streak Breaker Against Canberra
00:02:58
Speaker
But shout out to Ori Budogomen. Like it's middle of the season. It's still at every chance for them to make a late break. So congrats. it's Whether it's your 10th win or your first win, it's still it's worth celebrating. That's for sure.
00:03:11
Speaker
And I mean, to do it on the... Second game of a Sydney road trip for Aubrey Wodonga. That's big as well. i again It's tough. Like I have the utmost respect for them, you know, how often they come up to Sydney. Like it's seven hours sometimes on a bus trip. Like it is for us because we do stoppages, of course, but um it is tough. And for them to come up and, and you know, a well-rounded squad up up here is just put on them.
00:03:38
Speaker
don't think he's in the middle of that for this coming weekend. So, yeah, Christian Cook, 28 points. Lucky Cummings, 28. Kev Blalock, 7 of 9 from the field to finish 18 9.
00:03:50
Speaker
And Marcus Lesfina chipping in 10 points as well. Did it all without Madjuk Madjuk really having to, ah you know, he had only played 13 minutes and they still got the win. So more power to the Aubrey Wodonga men and always good to have them have them strong as well.
00:04:05
Speaker
And another big win, which
Spotlight on Nicole Munger’s Clutch Performances
00:04:08
Speaker
is a real boil over, although maybe not considering who they've added, Hornsby Keringa defeating Canberra.
00:04:16
Speaker
First loss for the Gunners at home in, call it two years, 7th of June, 2024. Did you see? i mean, I know they've Dave Bohickey and Martez Brown, but did you see that coming?
00:04:28
Speaker
I did not. I also didn't realise Canberra was such... like It's been two years since they've lost at home. like What a juggernaut of like, let's call it Eden Park and call it the Fortress already. like That's unbelievable for you know that squad. And gosh, what an absolute Bells River win. like I would love to have been you know singing the song at the end of the game with ah with the Hornsby boys. That would have been unreal.
00:04:52
Speaker
Oh, that's massive. And I mean, they've beaten Canberra, I know like they need to go on a massive run if they want to make finals. If they can beat Canberra, Is it on?
00:05:03
Speaker
nine straight to make finals on? and i think, honestly, this men's program this year, like, no game is an easy game. Like, there is just so much depth, zero chance of someone just going, you know, willy-nilly into any of those games. But anything is possible, especially, as you said, the the two new additions. Like, Dave Hickey is respectfully a freak. Like, he just makes magic happen. Yeah.
00:05:29
Speaker
I think that is the best way to – I mean, look at who. I mean, the Spiders, I think they do play Canberra again very soon, yes. They play them back-to-back. They play them this Sunday before taking taking on the Sharkies. So the Sharkies will have to be on their top two.
00:05:47
Speaker
Absolutely. And I think Canberra next round technically, they do the midweek home and away flip, which that's a huge kind of ask as well. Like you've got three games in a week and you go from Thursday playing each other at the AIS to then having a home game the very next day against two very talented sides. Yeah.
00:06:09
Speaker
Goodness gracious, strap yourself in, Lockie. It's going be in the audience. I mean, that Canberra COE thing they do just before the holiday weekend is, i was talking to Nikki Warner about it after, because obviously she's from Canberra, and she was saying, no one wins both games. You always drop one. It doesn't matter how good either team is. someone You always drop one.
00:06:28
Speaker
Yeah, and on top of that, it's not just a weekend game in respect to those who do work weekends, but for those full-timers who have been slogging it out all day, whether they're on their feet or they like me and work a desk job, it's hard to get up, you know, for those games in the evening, let alone back-to-back. Obviously, the AIS kids or the Centre of Excellence, as they're now called, maybe have a bit of ah an up there. So huge.
00:06:53
Speaker
Yeah. and you slotted something into the notes. Nicole Munger, 35-8-5. And I thought this
Sutherland Sharks: Challenges and Upcoming Matches
00:07:00
Speaker
was very good that you mentioned that it's particularly this because just a couple, like she brought Newcastle back. They were trailing to Illawarra with Mia Heidi in the ah in the line-up.
00:07:11
Speaker
and Absolutely. And Nicole Munger, because when she came back on a couple of weeks ago with four fouls against Sutherland, she put the team on her back. Yes. And she did it once again. is is she Is she just the most clutch player in the league?
00:07:28
Speaker
Oh, I mean, well-deserved player of the week in this instance. I think Illawarra are really getting some momentum and they've got a lot of close games that they've been a part of but maybe dropped off in the end. And for her to get yeah.
00:07:42
Speaker
I just thought that was pretty incredible looking at the box score. They were down by seven going into the fourth quarter. I know historically Newcastle never say never with that side, especially with the Coalmonger at the helm, you know, rewind back to the 2024 grand final.
00:07:59
Speaker
We, oh, trauma, I know strapping Lockie. We were in sitting pretty in that fourth and, And the reigning MVP, Nicole Munger, just came and showed again just magic. And I can honestly say, like, she's one of those players where she's not only is her eloquency and just talent shown off, sorry, on the court, but off the court, she's just a wonderful human being. um So it's like one of those players where you really want to get, you know, aggro out and and maybe put in a, i don't know, we'll want to hate them in a way, but you just can't because she's just so wonderful and lovely and perhaps not a bit biased despite the grand final trauma, but yeah.
Player Development: Maddie Carey, Abby Curtin, Ella Dent
00:08:41
Speaker
I think that now with the group going to have Saffron Chills coming into the the pace, that's just going to strengthen that program, which is very exciting to see at you know this point in the in the season.
00:08:53
Speaker
100%, yes. i Nicole Munger was our first ever guest on an East Gold game. We had done nothing. We were just like we just spitballing games. We were like, do you want to swing for the fences and try and see if Munger wants to come on? She was like, sure, I'll do it.
00:09:09
Speaker
She's such a well-spoken human being as well. So yeah, just all around class across the board.
00:09:16
Speaker
100%, 100%. I mean, no no shortage of our great people across the league. And
00:09:24
Speaker
the ah finally, we'll talk about well'll talk about Sutherland and what's to come for the Sharkies. Women four and four men three and five.
00:09:34
Speaker
You had a game canceled a couple of weeks ago. You've got to play five double headers and do a single game road trip to Canberra in the last seven weeks. How important is this coming week against commerce and Penrith for both of your teams to just get a couple of wins under the belt before the, uh, before the break. And then that end to the season.
00:09:57
Speaker
Yeah, it's a significant period for us. I mean, you said it, four and four, that's honestly not where we wanted to be at this point in the season from a women's perspective. I think we're struggling to find a bit of consistency, not only in the quarters, but also in the games, player availability, you know, Loz with Gangaroos and Maddie Carey coming back from college, new talent coming into the group year on year. And then we just, I don't know, we need to like stop walking under ladders, but just injuries that happen.
00:10:27
Speaker
really plague that that kind of continuity for us to build on. So with that though, like prior to this weekend, we we did have three back-to-back losses, but we got an incredible win, which I was really proud of. um But those losses are kind of just to reflect on them. It's disappointing that we won't get to play those groups again. So things like you know, the splits with groups, I don't want that to hopefully, fingers crossed, affect final position for the for the season. So that does kind of dwell on my mind, but, um you know, we've just got to look ahead. and And that was something that we discussed as a group that after that loss in Aubrey, we just had to kind of park that and look ahead because as you said,
00:11:09
Speaker
five double headers. My 33-year-old bones are not ready for this, but we will
Game Analysis and Team Strategies
00:11:16
Speaker
find a way. um But before I suppose reflect on that, just this weekend, a very capable group that we came up against, a young and talented Central Coast side. Shout out to them. I was talking to Tristan Black on the court and she mentioned that there's two players within that group that are 17 years old. Like I don't think...
00:11:35
Speaker
people you know in the wider community understand that, like, they could play under they could play youth leagues, but they're suiting up to play NBL1, which is pretty incredible. And Central Coast, like, that speaks to your incredible pathway that you must have for the program there.
00:11:52
Speaker
Many of the women who played in NBL1 also backed up from a dominant youth league performance as well. Like Jess Stone with 17 points in youth league and 16 points off the bench in NBL1.
00:12:04
Speaker
That is no easy feat. Congratulations to her. And then I think Kachla Aspen, a core role throughout both games as well. They've just got that fantastic pathway. So definitely your team that's to kind of look ahead for years to come. They've got a lot of what to look forward to, I believe. um Yeah, but when you look at kind of our program, looking at the women's, I strongly believe that, I'm going to put it out there, we should be a top four team through and through. But just that consistency that I mentioned is something that we need to kind of execute on if we want to reach that milestone. Like we have with the talent and I believe we have the depth, like looking at I call her Maddie the baddie just because she is just unreal. She's like, a let's call her a 40-minute per game. She's just she just an absolute rock. And what she she's a fantastic leader in that she doesn't say much amongst the group, but when she does, it does hold a real weight with all the individuals involved. And, yeah, I just honestly ah love playing alongside her. She's incredible.
00:13:11
Speaker
in terms of her driven and and her tenacity. Her work ethic is this, yeah, one that I think goes unnoticed, but not by many of her her teammates, which is wonderful. And then you know, new to our group, I spoke about We've got some new talent and none other than the two big dogs, as I call them. So Abby Curtin of a Class 2024 season. Sorry, 2025 season. She just brings this incredible flair and versatility that allows us to play with a pretty unique kind of um point of difference in the league. so having oversized three players on the court at the same time, that's pretty unique in my opinion. And our offences hopefully will...
00:13:56
Speaker
We'll see more benefit to that to come throughout the back end of the season. And then Ella Dent, who I'm outright calling the wizard. That woman will be guarding someone at the court and then you know you just think, oh yeah, she's just running through the motions and next minute she's got the ball. like She just makes wonderful things happen. Oh my gosh. So she just plays with wisdom and control that I think is just beyond her years. I mean, I know you're a fan of our group. Locke, what do you think?
00:14:25
Speaker
I mean, I'll talk about Ella Dent all day. I mean, when Ella Dent heads down, neck forward, it's over. Don't even worry about it. She is getting to the rack. If she's not putting the ball in the hole, she's getting to the line.
00:14:39
Speaker
And also, i mean like that planted foot, she doesn't like her counters. Like just, you like break ankles, you go on, see you later. Yeah. I mean, i'm I think she's conspicuous by her absence at the moment, her and Eliza both being off court. um I think in that game, it was, the vibe was kind of off in the first quarter of that game, just overall, except maybe you, because you had 9.6 rebounds and three steals after a quarter of action.
00:15:08
Speaker
First half. You were doing pretty well, but it was really... take us through you can you take us through like what that first quarter was like because you were up 14 to 5 and they got it back to 18 17. um and they actually led for a little bit of that first quarter but it yeah it felt like when it felt like they really ratcheted up the uh defensive pressure midway through the first quarter and you guys i'm not sure i know you've got the players to handle it but it's almost like you didn't really see it coming for a little bit Yeah, and I think that speaks to obviously the credit of Central Coast. They're one of those teams that kind of creep up creep up on you if you don't keep both eyes open and continue on with that momentum that you were able to build.
00:15:52
Speaker
But they just, yeah, the young ones came off the bench and they just had nothing to lose, to be honest, and they just took it to us. ah And, yeah, we just we took a back step and maybe just kind of went away from the things that were working for us and that namely was probably just certain offensive plays, missed a few shots and then kind of got a bit out of sorts, if you will.
00:16:13
Speaker
But thankfully we came good. Thankfully, yeah. I mean, you mentioned Jess Stone. i'm Funny story, i won't I won't out the player, but I was looking at the team sheet and someone came over and said, I recognize this player and this player. And they pointed to Nikki Bourne and Tristan Black and said, I don't recognize the rest.
00:16:32
Speaker
Jess Stone had 19 points against you last year. There you go. Gosh, your memory and retention for knowledge is beyond my ears, but... 19 points, I guess. that That was it at Central Coast as well, yeah? It was at Central Coast. And then she came up and had, was it 16 off the bench?
00:16:51
Speaker
16 off the bench. but I mean, that entire Central Coast bench played the youth league game and then came out and did that. Yeah. Correct. But luckily, we got him in the end. That's the core point we're taking out from here. Yeah.
00:17:07
Speaker
um It was one thing I really wanted to point out. um it was a by It was about two minutes to go in the first quarter. You gave up three offensive rebounds in one possession and Coach Michael Turton immediately calls a timeout.
00:17:23
Speaker
What did he say in that timeout? I think that's probably something that is not new to um group in that just that complacency and When think that's probably why he immediately cornered tone now, because that's something that we've really been focusing from holistic kind of KPI, I guess, if you will, for the group. It's more just like having that kind of pride in what we do and not allowing another team to just get those rebounds so easily. Like it's such a simple thing when you look at it in hindsight, just get your body in front of your player, box them out, wait till we get the ball and then we run.
00:18:02
Speaker
But I think some people, not, you know, I don't think it's unique to our team either. We get caught up in, you know, the next, what's the next job, what's the next job without focusing on the job immediately at hand. and So that was something that,
00:18:16
Speaker
Yes, it's come up. um And with all due respect, it it was a bit of a heartbreaker in the men's game that finished in overtime where I think the two last trips at Central Coast took to the the the basket.
00:18:30
Speaker
We gave them three attempts in both instances, which unfortunately landed us in the L column for the men's for the men's game. And it just, it perhaps is something that we both need to sit down and have a chat about. But yeah.
00:18:43
Speaker
I don't think it's an ongoing issue. It's just something that fatigue comes in and we just, as I said, we focused ahead when we haven't got the ball at hand already. Yeah. I with i mean, it was it was very noticeable. um Fortunately, they didn't score off that particular possession, but. um Yes. but Other may. It's something we need to fix.
00:19:09
Speaker
I mean, how, um, How do you play when you're missing two ball handlers like Ella and Eliza? you miss one You lose one and your rotations get a little bit out, you lose two.
00:19:23
Speaker
Is it really changing? Does it get to the point where it really changes how you're going to play? I mean, we're in a position where we're quite lucky. Our versatility, as I said, that depth. So Jordy Dewhurst, I think, did an excellent job in terms of kind of filling that void. Loz playing out of position, playing point guard.
00:19:44
Speaker
I mean, what can't that woman do? She can play one through to five. So there's never a doubt, I think, in a lot of people's minds and and funny enough, I think that is our teammates. So that was really great that we were able to have her available for that game. um But I think that looking prior to the wink against Aubrey, where we were again down two point guards, that not having Lauren in the piece, that really did hurt us. um Just not having that extra player to fill void, let alone of the calibre that we're used to having. um
00:20:18
Speaker
So yeah, that's it's definitely a challenge, but I'm grateful that we've probably got a bit of light at the end of the tunnel where hopefully we will start to regain the pieces that we've missed in the last couple of weeks. So i'm I'm hopeful, excited and bring it on.
Season Challenges: Cancellations and Injuries
00:20:35
Speaker
ah you've got 12 games to go and just just keep winning but literally i think we've only played when you look at the competition ladder granted we know where we're sitting but we've only played eight games in like we're still finding our form when many other teams have you know i think north have played 12 games it's like four extra games which is mental like granted one of our games got cancelled because the bushfire in not bushfire, i think it back burning in the national park. And there was just the stadium turned into this hazy cesspool, but you know, an an asthmatic would just see. You didn't have to be asthmatic. Don't worry. i i mean, ah just OH h and S absolute nightmare. so
00:21:18
Speaker
So yeah, eight games in, yeah, we'll just have to, We'll just have to find a way. we technically have done in a lot of instances. So i have every faith in it. But um yeah, this weekend, we've not played a single double header today.
00:21:34
Speaker
It will certainly test us. I have um have every faith in our group though. Like we love a challenge. Like looking at... Last year's group, we went down to Canberra. We had Canberra Gunners and then the next day we had the COA group, which went on to be Grand Final Contenders. And we went back to back wins on a road trip. so That I think goes to show about the resilience and the determination of our group in the sense that when the cards are down, it's another opportunity for someone else to step up. um
00:22:09
Speaker
But yeah, um we will need to put oh our actions into place above words. So fingers crossed on that front. And tying that back to the game at hand after, i think you had a slow yeah i think had slow start to the second quarter, but you You really ratcheted up, especially the intensity on offense in the second quarter, and you you got up by 16.
00:22:35
Speaker
um Was there anything you particularly talked about in the first quarter break that um you really wanted to focus on, given how given how close it was against a team that hasn't won a lot this season?
00:22:47
Speaker
Yeah. I think that probably a focus that our group's looking ahead is just honestly court spacing. We have so many powerful teams players with talented abilities to score high points that I think maybe we just get a bit too excited um and we can just a space that we just got to let certain individuals play and then, you know our turn will come.
00:23:11
Speaker
And that's not by any means ah a deficit of the ability of a player to just kind of you know, not want to contribute. It's more just like knowing our roles within the group and the time and the place to kind of have that opportunity for everyone. so court spacing, because then if we're congesting the whole lot, then, geez, it's easier to defend, isn't it? So, um you know, we're looking at a few new things in the games ahead, few new different looks as well as a group, which I'm excited about. But I have every faith in our kind of coaching group that,
00:23:45
Speaker
if we're falling short for whatever reason, or we'll definitely be pulled into line or given a new opportunity to kind of find with where we can kind of, yeah, get more points and find our groove.
00:24:00
Speaker
I mean, i think one thing there was um there was this period in the game where Abby wasn't getting a lot of opportunities like shooting wise. And you sent her and just got her in there posting up in the second quarter.
00:24:13
Speaker
and I think that speaks to her versatility. what's What's it like playing alongside someone like that where you can go, oh she's not getting her looks this way. Let's give her something else.
00:24:25
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I think that goes back to something that mentioned earlier around like having big three players, like Abby would slot in. So looking at our starting five, having Maddie, Abby and I on the court at the same time, Maddie or Abby can slip into that three spot and there is more often than not a mismatch. So we're just creating new opportunities for Abby to go one-on-one, which she is unbelievable at. um Another, you know, speaking to her ability is You'd think that after years of either matching up or even trainings week to week, I'd figure her out
00:24:59
Speaker
what she's going to do, but she's just unpredictable in the most beautiful way. Like she's just got so many different tricks in her pocket. You never know what she's going to do. So one of those instances where I'm glad she's playing on our team this year. um And we, have we um yeah, when we're suited up ready to go, i don't have to worry about it. But um when you're on her team as well, it's, ah It's just kind of I think that a lot of us have kind of had to understand that that's how she likes to play with that space and that fast pace, catching on, and hopefully we'll learn to to do better to get her those opportunities because she is a very talented player and just a great human being.
00:25:41
Speaker
And I think that's the second great point is great human being as well. you know she Yes, she only had 13 points, but I don't think she's going to care because she won by 24. Yeah, I mean, there are gains where perhaps that she might look at that as you know, a small outing. But um I think when we look at the opportunity that we got to put on our development players and for them to have a taste of the action, you know, one of our ah girls, Evie Gooding, scored her first points ever in the NBL one. So maybe it's just my veterans approach to things that like if we didn't get those normal KPIs or milestones used to hitting. Like it's it's such a beautiful thing to give that opportunity to someone else who, you
00:26:25
Speaker
is able to experience round of firsts in this competition. I'm not saying that's how she felt that way. She's amazing in the change room post game regardless, but yeah, it's just, we've got such, again, talented group. It's yeah, we can pass it anyone and thankfully get something out of it. It's just finding our groove.
00:26:44
Speaker
And speaking of um well development players and a player who wasn't, I'm not sure she was even considered on the roster at all at the start of the season, but getting first quarter minutes, Jasmine Bates.
00:26:55
Speaker
Yes, Jazz, a player who I have been saying for probably about two years now. Why isn't she at our trainings? Where is she? She shouldn needs to be here. She's ripping it up at local comp. I would know it because she's marking me and i ah hear all about it. um But now she's getting an opportunity that I think is this well-deserved and very much celebrated by the group when she was invited to come train with us. She's just and would quite a cheeva, one of those people who can creep up with a double-double here or there, i I fully expect in years to come. and
00:27:33
Speaker
And I think in the next 12 months we'll see her playing more of a role within this group, which is really exciting. um i think it was it last year of the year before she got the Sutherland Sharks Senior Rookie Player of the Year. So Definitely a young, bright future ahead of Jazz. She's just wonderful and such a quietly spoken human being. ah Yeah, she's in in a group of ours that is full of very robust personalities. um It's good to have those sweet kind of introverted people who just quietly work away and and get some great results when they're on the court.
00:28:08
Speaker
Have you kind of taken her under your wing? I did notice that she ah she subbed in for you for her first minute. So... Yeah, no, I'm not a, I like to think I'm not an ego driven person. Like I'm not, this is my core, this is my, that's never going to be somewhere I look at it. i see it as an opportunity for the younger gen to push me out, you know,
00:28:31
Speaker
make me a coach or, you know, another opportunity to be down the track. But um no, I just, ah I'm proud and I love this club that I just want good things to happen, not just for the years I'm here, but part of its legacy as well. So i wouldn't say take under my wing. I think that this group is very capable of across the board, providing her with development and opportunities to grow. It's not just explicitly to one person, but absolutely, I would love to help any of our players build and get better all throughout the years to come.
00:29:05
Speaker
I'm not going anywhere though, Locke. I would hope not. i Look, wait when the day finally comes, there is always a headset for you at the commentator's desk.
00:29:15
Speaker
Bless, I appreciate that. As you can tell, I can talk underwater. You know, you you um but we almost had to do that on Saturday night. It was coming down that hard.
00:29:26
Speaker
im fine But when we we look at the, I think the the second half was when you, well, the third quarter of this game, especially the opening minutes of it, um was when you really started to pull away. You had, you got score, steal, score to start. And this is when you really broke it open. I think Crusaders, they're in a little bit of foul trouble. So they weren't ratcheting up that pressure.
00:29:50
Speaker
um Was there anything, yeah. Let's look at it from a a, you know, across the season thing. Has there been a a real focus to make sure you come out of the halftime halftime really strongly each game?
00:30:07
Speaker
I think Sutherland as a brand of basketball, we very much value the third cult quarter as an opportunity to kind of make or break. what our fourth quarter looks like. um At halftime, we kind of discussed the court spacing, just like what just wait patiently, things will happen, you know, great for others, just take your time kind of thing. But also that we reflected on, yes, we were winning in that first half, but we really wanted to solidify a dominant performance, not only for that game, but for what we were trying to build for the tail end of the season.
00:30:40
Speaker
So, yeah, I think that was reflective of what we did, but We've just continually got to build on that. I mean, I think if you looked at maybe not last year but the year before, a third quarter was our best quarter across the board as as a group. So that's something that I know a lot of us have pride ourselves on executing and that's never the way down or whatever, coming back and and being part of the game. But looking ahead when we will have those tough um match-ups, it is going to be detrimental to the the outcome and the results. So...
00:31:13
Speaker
Very much a focus, I guess, amongst all the other quarters, but definitely hate to call that one out. it It is different, though, coming back, you know, from two minutes of a break to 10 minutes break. It can be easy to lose that momentum that you that you have gained if you're not if you're not careful.
00:31:32
Speaker
And I think as well, like, When you come out from your team chat, however long it goes, whether you go down to a change room or not, you stay on the court, you come out and there's like this awkward three-minute period where, yeah, you can go shoot layups, you can get a couple shots up.
00:31:46
Speaker
But it's kind of like it's the tip of the iceberg. It always seems a bit redundant um that by the time you kind of get in the momentum of doing layups, you're back in the huddle anyway. Yeah.
00:31:57
Speaker
It is a tricky one. um And I fully recognise how some people can come out of the blocks of the second half and be a little bit stagnant. But, yeah, well, fingers crossed. I keep saying fingers crossed. I'm ah one of those superstitious people. But, um no, I'm hopeful that we'll find the answers in the games that are ahead.
00:32:16
Speaker
i I hope so too. so I shouldn't say too much about Comets Sutherland this yeah weekend because I will actually officially be employed by City of Sydney basketball for that game, not Sutherland District basketball.
00:32:29
Speaker
Yes, back at Comets HQ, hey? That'll be good. I'm curious to see, haven't seen her on the team list, but Chantelle Horvath, she obviously debuted the season with a stellar performance and I heard she suffered a pretty brutal injury.
00:32:44
Speaker
um Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was a broken wrist or something. Finger. Finger. Gosh. Okay. There you um But it'll be interesting to see when she returns because what a formidable player. um I mean, obviously hot off.
00:33:02
Speaker
a WNBL championship winning season, anyone's going to be playing with complete confidence. But um we seem to have, and I say the Sharks, we seem to have this unfounded bad luck that when people make their return or they come back for their first game of the season, it's against us. So we'll see how that how that unfolds
Critical Upcoming Matches and Recruitment Impacts
00:33:23
Speaker
on the weekend. Obviously, speedy recovery to her. I never want to see anyone injured. And that kind of leads me to think how, like, 2026 is really...
00:33:32
Speaker
not disappointed when it comes to the strength of the league and stepping it up again from a talent pool perspective. I think what it does is not only make games more exciting but challenging to build long-term winning streaks. So I say that knowing that a few have a nice little run going, but there's some pretty colourful games coming up, which I think will be exciting to tune in and see how the other teams stack up against some other strong contenders.
00:33:59
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, this this week is really big for Sutherland. Not only do you have doubleheader of your own, but the teams directly below you, Hills versus, well, obviously Comets are playing Sutherland, but then Hills play Manly, Illawarra play Albury, and Maitland play Norts. So that they're all, know, if you can pick up two wins, if everything goes to chalk, you're actually...
00:34:24
Speaker
separating yourself from the pack a little bit. So it's probably bigger than just your own games. And I feel like in this kind of where we're sitting from like a ladder down to where I think, is it Maitland's in the 11th? I just feel like there's that ranking for the moment doesn't really showcase the ability of that team. I mean, you're looking at last weekend where Maitland and Manly, that matchup, like it was it was close. Like there was a long time for that period when Maitland was leading.
00:34:54
Speaker
And this is premiership winning Manly we're talking about. So i think a lot of those teams have the capability to provide a fair few upsets. um I mean, you look at a couple weeks back when Aubrey were playing Norths, that was a battle to the very end. Like even though there are some programs like Norths and Manly who and Bankstown are able to have, you know, and a fantastic streak, there's just no team you can take shyly. It's, yeah, it's one to be.
00:35:25
Speaker
We'll just have to wait and see. I mean, if it gets to the final round and you need a win to get top four or win to get top eight and you're playing Hills, Illawarra or Maitland, you're going to have to be on because if one of those teams is already out of finals contention, they are going to want to ruin your season. if they can. Absolutely. i think we did that, unfortunately, to Inner West last year. They were on the fringe to make finals and we secured an overtime win and that knocked them out of finals. And that obviously had no impact on our finishing position, but I think a lot of teams are very similar in the sites that they want to
00:36:04
Speaker
have ah a prideful finish
Team Improvements and Key Strategies for Standings
00:36:06
Speaker
to their season. They want to finish on a high and carry whatever the momentum that is to, A, retention of players and um recruitment for the following year. So, yeah. And then speaking of recruitment, I believe it's team on us two weeks until the signing deadline is surpassed. So, i mean. Well, mean, some teams have already played 12 games, so they've got to get it in.
00:36:31
Speaker
Quickly, because you've got to play eight to qualify. There you go. So I'm curious to see if there'll be some last-minute ads or what that will unfold, or if people just locked and loaded and, like, snap up what you can. I mean, Manly just added a player.
00:36:49
Speaker
Yeah, it looks like a seminar, I believe. Hunt? A centre from America? Is that correct? um Yeah. So she played yeah she played college at Lehigh, which is where Alana Reddy and Liv Johnston are now. So they must have a little bit of a connection. So they've yeah added some ah and add it a bit.
00:37:06
Speaker
Hats off the Aussies doing us proudly in the States that Americans want to come over and and see what we're all talking about. Yeah. um
00:37:20
Speaker
But, I mean, you talk about you being out of finals last year and I hate to mention it, but there were some games you should have won even before Loz was there, that if you'd won them, you would have made finals. Does that sit in the back of your mind a little bit this season? Like, can we just not drop games we should win?
00:37:41
Speaker
Yeah, thank you for that polite reminder. Last year I think it was the first year that i think the women's senior program hasn't made finals in in the entirety that I've been involved. So it hurt um in that regards, no one wants to experience a first like that.
00:38:00
Speaker
um And to be honest, there have been games this season where we've already gone, gee, we should have just got that one. Namely, the Newcastle game we were in that unfortunately didn't occur. And then things that are out of our control, just we think we're going to have a full squad and then someone gets roped for physical wellbeing or the physio said, nah, let's park that. And then your group of 10 turns into eight and you've got to, you know,
00:38:28
Speaker
sauce from a very, you know, willing to step up youth league squad. But um yeah, it's, it's, it's very tricky. I think that that's probably an ingredient in our recipe where yet to, yet to kind of consistently find the ability to just go, right, park it, let's go, move on, bang, this is how we are.
00:38:50
Speaker
I think we're not unique in that group in that sense, but when someone finds that ingredient, geez, can bottle it and sell it for absolute fortune. um But, yeah, no, I think it's it's what makes this experience and and this challenge exciting is that we don't have all the answers and we're still trying to find it, you know, if we were to just...
00:39:11
Speaker
beat teams by 50 every week, that would be great, but would it still have that kind of same exhilarating, you arousal to it week in, week out? I don't believe it would, um but I could very well be proven wrong in that regard.
00:39:28
Speaker
i mean i mean you're right you're right it it probably would be harder to get up for games each week if you were just rolling through everyone i mean yeah i mean no one's really doing doing that there's teams that are winning a lot of games but no one's belting every everyone every week which is which is very good to see um take this back to maddie norris Because you mentioned how good a leader she is, 35, 40 minutes a night.
00:39:58
Speaker
I thought Central Coast played really good defense on her. And she didn't manage to get made three until really late. And it was a deep one. um But she did well in other ways. i think she was five of eight from two-point range. And then that one of six.
00:40:16
Speaker
In a game where the defense is doing such a good job against her, just... How good is it to have someone like that who can just, when when her main option is taken away, can do things in other ways?
00:40:28
Speaker
Oh, she's, yeah, as I said, I love playing with her. And I think that in reflection on last year, Even though our group didn't get the results on the board, it landed her an opportunity, I think a well-deserved opportunity from Guy Malloy in stepping up and getting a Flames contract.
00:40:45
Speaker
She, as I said, I've spoken to this earlier in the episode in that like her just work ethic, like she worked full-time in a challenging industry like accounting, you know, accounting, you can't fluff those numbers, and then was able to play full-time for the Flames. Like that is incredible, like the tirelessness, that the fatigue that would have set in.
00:41:09
Speaker
i Yeah, take my hat off to her and and then definitely respect her for being able to manage both and balance out both. In our group, I could talk about her all day. Like she's...
00:41:23
Speaker
Marking her at training, gosh, she just you know what she can do, but she just whips out another trick and it's like, oh, yeah, forgot she can do that and that. um So it's always a challenge, but I think that her ability to just, she can be inside, she can be outside.
00:41:39
Speaker
um mean, all but running, you know, fast breaks is probably within her ram image. I think I can say that safely because we do joke about that. um But, yeah, she's just incredible to be able to sustain that level of efficiency for 40 Yeah, kudos to her and very proud of of the player that she has developed herself into.
00:42:02
Speaker
And the final score, eighty eight sixty four Representative of the game, do you think? In ways, yes. In others, no.
00:42:13
Speaker
I say yes because that second half we really charged with our momentum and kind of kept with it. But in in looking at a lot, like that, as you said, that first quarter, the second half of it, it's just they're able to rally. Like I don't think anyone should ride off Central Coast and that was very much part of our pregame chat that they can just come out, you blink, and they put 10, 12 points on as they did.
00:42:36
Speaker
A young, tenacious group. Yeah, there's just there's so many young, talented players within this competition that I think that applies to that you just can never sleep on the East.
00:42:48
Speaker
Oh, she said a
00:42:54
Speaker
But yeah, looking ahead, strap in. It's, I think there'll be some upsets. Yeah. It'll be very interesting. and Very specifically they're interested to see how some of the nearly signed talent, i.e. the manly and recruit is able to come in, you mid season looking at,
00:43:14
Speaker
the North's matchup that we had, obviously their new recruit, um forgive me her name escapes me at the moment, but we didn't have any real scout on her. um She was unknown to us and hadn't played in the NBL one before. And then she came out and put on an absolute show. So hard lesson learned for us there, but um be interested to see. And now obviously we know what she's capable of and we'll adjust, but like how new people coming into the the group, how they,
00:43:44
Speaker
able to still have that cohesion. I mean, Manly's a group that's run and gun, athletic, highly skilled, fast. To see how that goes, i I'd be really curious to see how that goes.
00:43:59
Speaker
And then just, yeah, other bits and bobs, I guess. And last question, what was the celebration like for Evie Gooding's first points? Oh, it was honestly so, so lovely. We actually, we have a team mascot for the Sharks. It's like plush shark, rude shark there. um But we call it Shibby, Shibby the Shark. And Evie, she, I reckon she'll get it this week, but we were all in absolute awe. It was part of our team game kind of reflection post-match where we were all kind of all off our feet cheering and just overjoyed for her.
00:44:39
Speaker
And when we you know i sing our team song that we have, it was just, yeah, really nice feeling. just That's her first points scored in an NBA 1 game and it was a win and just the vibe was on. Like I hope that's a treasured core memory that she's able to kind of take in and look ahead and want to score more points for us in the games.
00:44:59
Speaker
It was so cool how she did just ripped the ball away from someone. and Yeah. It was a steal and then immediately points. It's like bang, bang. That's how she rolls. Good for her. Done.
00:45:10
Speaker
Well done, Evie. I did have to tick her off for making her debut in and in a road game. So I'm glad she got her first points in a home game. Yeah, was nice for her and nice, hopefully, for many more to come.
00:45:23
Speaker
So looking looking forward looking bor to the weekend, Comets and Penrith, be yourself, starting centre for the Sutherland Sharks.
00:45:34
Speaker
You looked looked at the matchups much? Yeah, I mean, as again, it'll depend if Chantel's in the piece or not. um If I reflect on last year, I think Maddie Norris had her first 50 piece when we played at Comet Stadium. um And we have thankfully taken Abbey Curtin off their, not off their hands, that would have that's the wrong analogy for that. We've luckily gained Abbey Curtin on our squad. So...
00:46:01
Speaker
Yeah, anything can happen at that at that location. um But I do have faith that if we can build on the last game, this next kind of passage for us, it's pivotal that we get that win, that we shut down any momentum they get and have that kind of continuity.
00:46:18
Speaker
But, yeah, one game at a time because I've got Comets and then a pretty quick turnaround. So I think 5.30 Saturday and 12.30 on a Sunday. um Hopefully get a good night's sleep and out to Minter we go. um Yeah, just anything can happen, with ah let alone a doubleheader, let alone our first doubleheader for the season.
00:46:39
Speaker
Yeah, that's that's brutal coming in, yeah. um First double header being this this late in the season is really, especially when you said like teams like North, COE, Central Coast have all played 12 games and Penrith don't even have a Saturday game.
00:46:56
Speaker
Pardon me? They only play on the Sunday.
00:47:01
Speaker
Oh, goodness. i I do have a lot of sympathy for the Penrith Panthers and and what they've kind of been working with.
Conclusion and Social Media Engagement
00:47:11
Speaker
I know that there's been lots that's kind of popped up around why they're no longer at the Nepean Valley Sports Centre and I have a lot of traumatic but also positive memories at that stadium throughout the years of my juniors. um But yeah, it's sad to see that they've kind of lost their home and and they're having to have these scheduling challenges that enable them to play, you know, a role within this competition and and able to get their wins and
00:47:40
Speaker
it just I think it really, if I was in their shoes, I find it very challenging to kind of to kick off the season. They've probably found their their form and and maybe over it now. But, um yeah, I'm disappointed for them and I hope that they know that, geez, if we had another stadium, would be great if they could just take that and run with it. Yeah.
00:48:00
Speaker
Unfortunately, that's not how the cards are dealt. I haven't been how to Minto to play basketball ever before. I think I've been there for netball. They've got plenty of courts there. but um I do.
00:48:12
Speaker
Take off another one off the bucket list. Why not? There we go. I think last, I was still going to squint about it I think the last time I went there was for country Premier League finals. And think Alex Tui was either in 14s or 16s at the time. So it's been a while because I remember he was there.
00:48:28
Speaker
we mean, I think I did the numbers. The average age of our female squad is 30 years old. And me being above that, I've never never played there before.
00:48:41
Speaker
Wow. Here you go. New stadium unlocked. Yeah, something new, is exciting. Got to find the silver lining in life hockey. Well, now that Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium is an NBL1 venue, I can say I've played at an NBL1 venue because it's the only stadium I ever played at.
00:48:58
Speaker
That's awesome. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely counts. Absolutely. Anyway, thank you so much for joining me. it i am of the understanding that you have a Herbs of Gold Super League game to get to, which is Sutherland Local Comp, for those of you who don't know.
00:49:15
Speaker
But yeah for all our listeners out there, thank you so much for joining us this week on East God Game. Remember, you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel at East God Game, or you can continue to find our episodes on your preferred streaming platforms.
00:49:32
Speaker
But Liv, I'll let you do the honours. What do we tell everybody every week at the end of the show? Oh, my goodness. I've just closed my notes. Lucky you have actually just stitched me my goodness.
00:49:44
Speaker
ah I'll let you take the lead here. Of course, you need to remind people, don't sleep on the east. No, I've already said it.