Buying in players is a short term fix for long term problem.Need to invest in there juniors to build a long term foundation for the club.Good luck Budgie, hope you can bring home the bacon!!!

Hume City: what's going on there? Biggest changes in the off season, recruited the oldest (and most experienced) team in State champ history and end up with the same result. Both the Men's and Women's programs appear completely stuffed. To make the future worse both Youth League teams finished last. Surely its time and long over due for a complete clean out of the board and management and get some fresh enthusiastic blood into the place with new ideas to rebuild a once proud but sadly decimated program.

Totally agree Hume haven't improved at all...recruit a mid 40's PG is never gonna work best clean him and imports out an start again with young locals an two or three years of pain result in a good program again!

That said I think Brown is at least consistent with 20/10 pretty much every night, but think it's time for both men's an womens to start fresh an work towards finals in 2014 as the aim.

Problem is there are NO juniors coming through, Brown is worth keeping, but without a long term strategy they'd be better off in Div 1 or 2 with just locals and a firm plan to build and possibly merge with another program otherwise the only way to improve is buy a whole team for the next 3-5 years. They have no money and more importantly no interest or motiviation to find money.

Interesting to hear comments about "no juniors coming through" - but I don't think Hume are alone in that respect.

We hear lots about basketball being one of the highest participation sports in the country - but my observation is that many (most ?) clubs struggle to get many of their juniors to transition through and stick with it into senior ranks.

So the broader question is, why do so few juniors stick with it ... is there just too much else to do once you can drive your own car, or is there something else wrong that means senior basketball is not attractive in our associations ?

No clear answer on that from me, just interested in other comments.

Glen Milner is the biggest problem for Hume City. Very set in his ways and while he is still running the club they will never be the powerhouse they once were.

Milner keeps hiring "mates" to keep his power base solid. This current group of caoiches all have a common thread, Randy and Glen. Its about time the rest of the comittee woke up to this egomanic and got rid of him. He has done nothing for the club excpet turn it into disarray.

Chris Anstey has approched Mildura Heat PG Kris Clark to try out with the Tigers after the season has finished according to the local Mildura Media.

Ringwood def the flag favourites at the moment with their current form. All 4 teams can win the whole SCM though, any team can win on any given day, it's very tight in the top 4.

Huge game this weekend with Corio Bay taking on Eltham at home. If Stingrays get up, they should finish 3rd and take on Eltham in the first final series but if they lose they will finish 4th (if Waverley get up against Melbourne). Going to be a cracking finals series, looking forward to watching how it all pans out.

Hopefully the big crowd at Stingray Stadium can be the 6th man and lead them to victory. Big advantage and best crowd in the league from what I have seen.

SCM could go to anyone but really think Ringwood are a step above this year Kenny has got Sturt playing great ball and they have a good mix of Vet's in the team with Whitehead, Egan etc plus two good solid imports.

Spoke with an Eltham player on Sunday and apparently they are taking a few of the Youth players down to Corio Bay and are focussed on winning Sunday's clash with Hume City to ensure they stay second.

Really looking forward to the SCM finals seris this year, really hoping to see Wav Vs Ring first week as Wav have talent to scare Ringwood first up, I'll def be making the drive to check it out.

Speaking of teams with issues, DV started like a house on fire and have fallen apart...they have plenty of young guys but I guess they were figured out pretty quickly.

Hume City do look to be in a bit of trouble moving forward. Diamond Valley are looking alright considering they have elevated a number of younger guys from their Youth League program... They'll be better again next season.

I still can't bring myself to put Corio Bay into the same bracket as Ringwood, Eltham and Waverley. Great job for them to do so well in their first season.

Looking at those in the top 4 and relating them back to juniors it is a little worrying. While Eltham has a strong junior program, Corio, Ringwood and Waverley's programs don't look all that strong. When you look at the majority of SEABL clubs, they all have fairly strong junior programs... Surely other these BigV clubs can connect the dots.

The dots to be connected are very simple. Clubs who control thier stadiums have the finances to play SEABL while clubs stuck with shitty council deals or YMCA run courts do not. Its got very little to do with admin etc. Its all about the $$$. Knox is one of the most hostile places as far as back office and admin goes. The back stabbing and politics is not much better that Spring Street yet because of the $$ they continue to play SEABL. Kilsyth's is pretty much the same although it certainly helps when you sponge off the back of gamblers with obviously problems. Kilsyths juniors are going backwards and the senoir men would struggle against the best Big V teams.

If you look across the Big V most of the programs get the "rejects"(size, Athletic ability etc) from the SEABL programs that top up there teams.

Very few really develop good youth players that can step straight into SC as they current set up almost forces some players to leave if they aren't ready to step up at age 23 & if you look around both SC & SEABL most team avg age would easliy be 28yo+

the clubs with no money are forced to try to develop kids obviously and go thru yrs of bad results in doing so. The step up from YL to champ is for nearly all too bigger step so they go off to play D1 or D2 somewhere else. If you look closely at the champ clubs both men and women you will see that not many actually have any more than a couple of home grown players. When you look closer at thier junior ranks you can easily predict what they will need to do in a few yrs time to actually field a team in champ or YL.
SOme clubs have absolutely NO PLANS for the future and live season to season hopeing to find recruits. Others seem to have structure and a plan, these are the ones who will ultimately be long term winners.

I think SEABL D league is generally stronger then Big V YL, especially in the womens side of things. The bigger clubs certainly have the better programs to filter kids into DL where as the YL clubs for the most part are pathetic. Diamand Valley has a very strong YL team but they have plenty of non DV players there. Some of the best actually came from Hume when they shafted the YL coach but thats another story. With the slow death of the VJBL U20 comp YL should get better with more kids wanting to play and having no other choices but I would really expect the D2 and D1 clubs to rise up as the breading ground for Champ players. Non champ clubs witth YL teams will do better as well as the jump is not as great.
It will be very interesting to see how the new overall U23 landsacape changes as the new Big V run comp unfolds. Unless the powers at Big V change thier attitudes and they way they goven it may very well be a change for the worst though.

Anon, your exception is Geelong, who are famous for having a terrible council deal (I know someone on their new "commission"). In fact, one of the most expensive Stadium deals in AUS.

Until this year the SEABL and Associations were separate, so the SEABL team was running as a completely independent single team in the SEABL and had done since the team left the NBL.

#371520

That's a little naive. You were going ok until your "lets all love each other" last paragraph. Have you seen the stuff that gets crapped on BSA here?

DV have been in top two YL sides over last 4 years yet in champ they struggle, so guess it begs the question why? Why are none of the youth players regularly suitin in champ??
I look at the top two big v programs Eltham & Ringwood, both regularly have youth players on the bench and they often get spot mins so why doesn't DV? Is it due to YL coach being selfish or champ coaches lack of faith in youth? It can't be like the DV champ team is to stacked to fit them in!

because its so bloody expensive !!

The UPL? I thought that was deader than dead....... #371592

371598

To be fair, there is talk of some SEABL teams genuinely being on the brink in terms of affordability. Albury is one, Launceston women had huge issues and I have heard Mt Gambier and Hobart are not rolling beautifully. Again, these groups don't necessarily have huge associations backing them.

Speaking of which, my understanding was that UPL (and again I understood it was dead) would only be for teams that are representing an association and who play both genders.

Where would that leave Launceston, NWT and Mt Gambier? Anyone know what the original plan was for these groups ??

Its fair to say that excluding imports there is very little gap between the top 3 YL team and the top Div 1 teams.

That being said it is easier to blood the YL talent if you're a coach in D1/D2 as the bodies are smaller & less athletic compared with SC hence a big part of why a lot of kids simply can’t regularly on the court.

If I’m coaching and I’m putting a YL player on for mins against Eric Williams, Dan Dillon or Cameron Tragardh they are going to get eaten alive when compared with giving him mins against a Jay Allen or Jordan Canovan plus there is no where to hide on an SC court when compared with most D1 teams only having 1 or 2 gun players its easier to hide a kid.

It would be great if a club could field 3 teams if they are in SC this would create a great pipeline

Pipeline: SCM (Win at all costs) - D1 (Mix 21 to 25 age players with SCM players whom are returning from injury/need mins etc) – YL (Mix of 18 to 23 year old players based on development winning is just a bonus)

The issue would be that the top SCM clubs would also be around the top of the D1 ladder as they would never lose there second tier talent but you’d get a lot more guys develop quicker than sitting on the bench for 2/3 years after they finish youth league before they get serious time in SCM.

#371607

Sorry, I was not suggesting the teams would drop to BigV.

I was actually wondering if the original UPL had a fallout plan. Obviously the Tassie teams have no state league to play in.

Further to other UPL comments ... or ABL if that is what it will be called.

SEABL D-League moved out from SEABL back to Basketball Victoria this season - so BV D League is just all the Victorian clubs from SEABL D-League. My understanding is that for 2013, Big V Youth League and the BV D League will merge into one competition - unless someone can correct me. But not much information around about that at present.

The transition of the rest of SEABL has been delayed, (reading between the lines a bit) no doubt because of the issues already mentioned. In some states, there is no state competition for SEABL teams to fall back to - this is no doubt taking some time to sort out.

But overall, having a top down, structured set of competitions must be the way to go - but as with any change, will create some shifts for a number of clubs/teams as to what competitions they play in.

What is everyones tips for season awards:
Tips for SCM awards
Seasons MVP: Eric Williams (Corio Bay)
All star 5:
Eric Williams (Corio Bay)
Jason Reardon (Corio Bay)
Ivan Platenik (Waverley)
Jamal Brown (Hume City)
Corey Standerfer (Bulleen)

It's a tough one to choose, no PG has dominated the stats, it has all been the forwards and centres. Also not sure if the all star is selected by position either. If that was the case the team would be different.
Unlucky to miss out:
Adrien Sturt (Ringwood)
Skyler Bowlin (Ringwood)
Liam Norton (Eltham)

ROY: Stefan Osborne (Corio Bay)

For the All Star five I'd go:
Guards: Liam Norton (Eltham), Skylar Bowlin (ringwood)
Forwards: Eric Williams (Corio Bay), Jason Reardon (Corio bay)
Centre: Sturt (ringwood) "if he is listed as a centre" if not ptob Jamal Bron (Hume City)

Only real post players/centres in league are trigger (not engough games), Latham, Beston, Clarke, Platenik but all are undersized but hey it's big v!

Just missing out are: Snowball, Platnik, Belt, Standerfer

I think All Star isn't all bout number as your got to get your team wins and be the mist important part of your team not just get numbers!
As the coaches get a vote the All-Star fives are normally pretty good (except when Bridgewater kept getting in as the only centre nominated!)

you shit me #371761

because of you I went a read the article, it shows nothing like what you said.

Tips for the last week of regular season games:
Corio Bay v Eltham: Massive game and could be good mental win for either team going into the playoffs. 7 foot centre James Walker returns for the Stingrays which will help out Reardon and Williams inside the paint. Stingrays seem to find another gear at home infront of a big following. Stingrays to get up in a close one infront of their crazy fans at a packed out Stingray Stadium.

Bulleen v Sherbrooke: A battle of pride, this could go either way. Standerfer to lead Bulleen to victory.

Ringwood v DV: Ringwood too big and too strong and will continue their winning streak.

Melbourne v Waverley: Will be closer than what the ladder indicates. Tigers never say die and always put up a fight but Waverley should be too strong with their core players Threatt, Platenik, Lewis and Dillion.

Eltham v Hume City: Eltham will be coming off an important game the night before. Fatigue could play a factor but Eltham should get the win in this one.

Hey Sting what?

What happened Saturday night? I see on stats Eltham gotbu guys with only 7 players and in that even suited there coach an a youth kids first game!

On the back of that ringwood to sweep Corio Bay!!!

Think Wav will get Eltham in 3 games now Dillon is playing well again they just have to much talent!

With the season done and finals about to begin who's going to win? who's staying? who's looking for a new club? I heard on the weekend Corio are poised to snap up another Big from within State Champ.

It's Ringwoods to lose, but I think Waverley will give them a good show an maybe take it to three games.

Which Champ big are they chasing? Have to be Brown from Hume as no other bigs come to mind...he'd be a solid signing for them as you'd think Williams will end up back in SEABL or earning bigger coin in Euro he is way to good to hang round in the big v.

Tiger Watcher,

Yeah the boys went down in a disappointing loss infront of the home crowd. First half cost us, they didn't play well and Cuffe and McDonld made us pay. Cuffe had 2o in the first half. Eltham are a quality team.

Hopefully the boys turn it around this Saturday night when they take on Ringwood, they need to if they want to cause an upset. E-Will and Reardon will need to have big games but also a couple others to stand up and share the scoring load like Osborne and Hutchy to be firing as well.

Haven't heard anything about us talking about signing players for next year. The club is focused on their first final appearance and will wait til seasons end before talks and signings for next season.

The match up between us and Ringwood is going to be hotly contested. First game we lost in double overtime, had the chances to win the game but didn't. The second game we were with them for 3 qtrs but their bench came on and fired to win convincingly. That game we were missing centre Walker which will help come finals so Reardon and E-Will can play their forward roles instead of centre. We will go in as underdogs especially with Ringwoods current form. They have a target on their head. Whoever can play better defence will win this series, both teams can score. Bring it on!

Waverley-Eltham. I think Waverley will get up, too many offensive options and I feel Eltham play better without Trigger by results only, plus he has only played a handful of games which could disturb the chemistry. This series will goto 3 games though.

I'd like to see Corio Bay push Ringwood to 3 games but they just look like they have to much on paper, but then again if you get the first game at your house who knows.

Total agree re Waverley Vs Eltham looks like Waverley have to many scorers/options and should get it done. Also doesn't help that Eltham haven't fielded a full strengh team for about 6 weeks so always hard for the chemistry!

Stingrays let game 1 slip after having the lead at half time and it's going to be a tough road from here but anything can happen in finals. The lads believe they can still defeat Ringwood. Some stats will need to improve free throws 10/23 won't cut it in finals especially the top team all season. Plus Ringwood made 26/32. More makes than Stingrays attempted helps. Also getting outrebounded by nearly 20 needs to improve. If they can contain Sturt, Belt, Snowball and Bowlin they will be in for a real shot. Reardon will need to step up after a quiet game 1. Williams will need to be back to his MVP form. Osborne, Smith, Walker and Hutchison will need to help their captain and league MVP favourite to have a chance of creating an upset. There is a bus load of Stingray supporters coming to this game and from what I have heard Ringwood get a lot of fans to games too. Should be a cracking game 2 and hopefully goes into 3 and Stingrays get up in that too. Nothing bias.

Eltham came out guns blazing by all reports against Waverley and held that for the rest of the game Big win for them and they seem to be sharing the load around. Eltham could have this in 2. Waverley don't seem to be the same side since Eric's departure.

Anything can happen in finals though.

Some huge upsets in D1 too. Feel sorry for Werribee, a young team who were on top majority of the season bowing out first round. I know they will come back and be a force in years to come. With a great young core group and add in an import (currently don't have one). Could they be a chance to move up to Championship?

Ringwood got Stingrays pretty easy in the second game at there place and they are white hit faces moving into GF seris.

Eltham got over Waverley in game 3 but pretty big scare on the Saturday getting beaten with Trigger they get better results without him!

Looks like ringwood will sweep Eltham pretty easily as they just have to many weapons and play to deep in the clearest fave across all of big v division.

Stinger not sure on werribee as imports aren't really the answer better to keep building with locals then win D1 and maybe step up from there....imports in chp level have mixed success u really need the right one as plenty fail

Tiger, the score doesn't reflect the hard fought out game by both teams. Stingrays got within 4 in the last quarter, but Stingrays foul trouble (couple techs included) and big important 3's by Sturt as well Bowlin runners got them the breathing space and once game got out of reach it was the young kids on both teams that ran it out in junk time. The game was over reffed with over 50 fouls called. There wasn't much flow thats for sure, which was frustrating for players, coaches and spectators.

Ringwood will be extremely tough to beat and had a full house and loud fans. They have plenty of offensive weapons and get to the charity stripe early in quarters. Eltham might get one and take it to 3. Should be a cracking grand final. Both teams deserve to be there.

Really looking forward to the games between Ringwood & Eltham.

I'd like Eltham to get game 1 and make a tussle of it but i really just can't see it happening as Ringwood just have to much firepower...hard to see Bowlin, Belt & Sturt all getting shut down.

Eltham are really a bunch of solid players whom seem to have gelled together but no outstanding talents who can "carry" them to a title when things get tough unless Trigger drops 35pts+

My tip is Ringwood in 2 (Game 1 within 10 pts then a blow out in Game 2 back at Ringwood)

Anonymous,
The competition with all the country teams is the CBL (Country Basketball League). Which back in the day did turn into the Big V. This is run over summer. You will see the link to it all on the Big V website. The current CBL has 3 divisions. South West which includes: Corio Bay, Colac, Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton, Horsham, Mt Gambier Lakers and Terang. North West includes: Shepparton, Echuca, Albury/Wodonga (joined as one last year), Shepparton (apparently talks of joining Big V again), Wangaratta, Maryborough, Denni....couple teams more but can't think of them off the top of my head and the other conference is Gippsland. All teams play off in their own conferences and the winners play off for a Country State tournament.

In regards to SCM, Ringwood came out blazing after half time thanks to Sturt, looks to be the difference as he stretches the defence from his 3's, which allows Belt to go to work inside and Bowlin to penetrate with his reliable runner. Game 2 looks very tough for Eltham, as Ringwoods crowd are very vocal come finals time and will be tough to beat. Hoping to goto game 3. Was great watching the live stream except for the no commentary.

It would be great if people heading up the basketball scene in Melbourne worked to try and facilitate a return to the Big V from some of these country clubs. At the end of the day it would help the sport massivly in this Australia rather than losing more young players to other codes