With 2 imports you would expect to win D1. Should come back to SEABL.

They play in D1, not even the championship division of the BigV, so looking to get back to ABA level through Championship, or then on to SEABL, would be big steps to take.

They beat another country team who had no imports and lost 5-6 players (and five of those starters on any given night) last off season (and gained one starting fie quality player from what I can see). My premise here would be that D1 was not the competition it was last year for BigV, which happens from time to time.

Did they really have 2 imports? That is a lot for D1 level.

Div 1 was arguably the toughest it has ever been this past season...

One country team with local players developed in their home town for the majority against another country team with two imports and a few dollars less in their bank account I'd say!

Not sure who is actually the winner here???

Hopefully it is basketball!

Is it financially sustainable for Mildura to go ABL?

Mildura beat Geelong in 3.

The Geelong Big V D1 team is the Supercats (SEABL) 2nd team and the 3rd strongest in Geelong after Supercats then Corio Bay (Big V Championship).

I think this puts it in perspective.

Division 1 is a good level for small associations on a limited budget. Ideally you'd love to have 8 locals and two outsiders but that is dependant on the strength of your representative program.

Not sure where the league got better argument can be sustained?

Geelong lost 5-6 players including Reardon, and gained Goodgame. Losing Reardon is like losing a quality import in that division. The guy is a former SEABl mvp or at least AS5 and still under 30.

Geelong still made the GF, with key guys from their roster last year bringing bigger contributions in line with with bigger minutes.

Last year they made the GF, and won it, in 3 games.

This year they made the GF and lost it, in 3 games.

That sort of would suggest that the league certainly did not get better. But that overall it dropped.

I reckon the "league got better" argument comes from the fact that there were more imports in the league, and quite a few teams listed "name" players like Timmons or Anstey. Does not mean the talent around them was significant. Means these teams were winning largely based on the exploits one or two players.

The facts are a significantly weaker (on paper) Geelong side first made finals and then made the GF - I don't think that suggests a better league.

Bear, if Mildura got great value from their imports off court, then they'll recoup the investment over the next 5 years and the championship is just icing on the cake.

Geelong had things fall their way durings finals to not just make them but the grand final.
Your argument doesn't really make much sense the league lost Reardon, Cuffe from the All Star 5 from last year and maybe 2 or 3 players of significant. But this season there was more talent across it, itmay be spread out and there may be some players who are getting a game not up to it. But as a whole you would have to say there is more talent playing, who were capable of going off so making it a tougher league.

Would Mildura have won against the Geelong team of last year prob not but doesn't mean it isn't tougher.

Geelong had things fall their way durings finals to not just make them but the grand final.
Your argument doesn't really make much sense the league lost Reardon, Cuffe from the All Star 5 from last year and maybe 2 or 3 players of significant. But this season there was more talent across it, itmay be spread out and there may be some players who are getting a game not up to it. But as a whole you would have to say there is more talent playing, who were capable of going off so making it a tougher league.

Would Mildura have won against the Geelong team of last year prob not but doesn't mean it isn't tougher.

Geelong had things fall their way durings finals to not just make them but the grand final.
Your argument doesn't really make much sense the league lost Reardon, Cuffe from the All Star 5 from last year and maybe 2 or 3 players of significant. But this season there was more talent across it, itmay be spread out and there may be some players who are getting a game not up to it. But as a whole you would have to say there is more talent playing, who were capable of going off so making it a tougher league.

Would Mildura have won against the Geelong team of last year prob not but doesn't mean it isn't tougher.

Sorry about that triple tapped on the iPad

Goggles, my argument is not about what the league lost. I acknowledge the league added some very big names this year and a bunch of imports.

The argument is about what Geelong lost and still achieved.

If the league was tougher than last year, and if as LC says, it was the toughest it has ever been, then Geelong should not have got near finals, never mind winning 3 of the 5 they played. (BTW, that is a lot of things "falling your way" - winning 2 sudden deaths and then game 2 of a best of 3 away.)

Its not like last year they completely smashed every team and were so much better than everyone else. If that had been the case and they had simply come back to the pack this year then fair enough. Last year they were very good, minor premiers, had home advantage for their finals and won their home finals. This year they won finals on the road...

and ... i have to say it again...

with an arguably "much" weaker lineup.

Would Geelong of 2012 have beaten Geelong of 2011 - no way! The 2011 unit would have wiped 2012.

ok, good observations Anons. Did the style of play change this year? Anon #2 mentions that Geelong were faster (that hardly surprises me with Goodgame) but was it a different style of game in D1 considering how many changes there were?

Really appreciate those first-hand accounts from the two anon posters. Very interesting.

By the way, make up a name guys so you can be differentiated - the posting form has randomised name recommendations to help. I can tell you apart by IP address, but others won't be able to see that to follow who is saying what.

Agreed Isaac. Good stuff guys.

I also played in Div 1 (west conference).

Many of the teams that succeeded without imports (Geelong, Werribee, Hawthorn) played full court pressure for 40 minutes and just wore teams down.

Then at the same time they executed when they needed to and all of those teams had players that were demons on the O-glass. For Geelong, Wiasak was just unstoppable. Only about 6'2" but so crafty at getting easy scores and getting to the line. For all the talk of other players I thought he was easily their best.

That said I don't think Geelong were one of the best teams, I think they were just in red hot form in the finals and when they're all elimination games it's all it takes.

As for the quality compared to other years, I think this year was the highest quality I've played against. Most teams had an import and many had two (or an import and Australian 'import level' player). WIth the league having 16 teams and as said above, even the bottom teams being able to upset the top teams every game was a danger game, and every team had numerous weapons.

Good post with some great insight, well done guys.

I do think basketball is the winner, great to see younger players coming into the league and doing so well.

The message I get from this is that it is better to develop your young local talent for the most part and not go hunting for a championship based on one or two stars!

A team approach usually wins out in the long run and if you can coach your young guns by skilling them up and keeping the team structure together you will reap the rewards and the competition also benefits...

I've heard that Mildura are looking at SCM next season and MtGambier are coming across from SEABL?

Anyone know about these 'rumours'?

Would be a great boost to SCM

Is that confirmed?

What about Mt Gambier?

Have heard Mildura to stay in D1 for next season and Mt Gambier and Albury are looking at Big V SCM due to costs associated with SEABL.

Albury just won SEABL there is 0% chance they will drop to Big V and they just resigned players which was annouced on the SEABL website.

Mt Gambier in the Big V? Very doubtful. If they were going to drop back a level surely they would play in CABL?