Bulleen favourites with their stacked line up. Rose, Strong, Norton, Masunda & Cuffe.

They are going to be super tough to beat.

Norton and masunda? Please

Not sure Dandy will make final in SCYW. They've lost too many players.

SCM - Waverley
SCW - Ringwood
D1M - Southern Pen
D1W - Craigieburn
D2M - Pakenham
D2W - Casey
VYCM - Diamond Valley
VYCW - Sandingham
YL1M - Keilor
YL1W - Hawthorn
YL2M - Keysborough

I expect Bulleen will improve in VYCW under Gary Fox's coaching, also YL1W Hawthorn will struggle as Mel Prior has gone to Melbourne, Warrandyte will be a force again as they won't lose much.

Bring It, Why Sth Pen?
No import and less money to others as well, rebuilding i thought.

Struggle to see Sth Pen make the playoffs let alone win the title.

Southern Pen new Coach, new players, yes less money but why does that mean less of a result. Can`t always buy everything.

Some quality players down there from what I hear. I think you will find they still have an import, just not Manny.

You need money to compete in Div 1 if your junior program doesn't produce many senior players.

Does any body rate Wodonga?

MM---It`s hard for people to rate or not rate Wodonga with no idea who the list is. This time last year Sheparton were going to "smash everyone".....How did that work out for them?

lets go Coburg & Altona

Happy Days - Back on to Southern Peninsula i see, found anything out yet?

SCM- Bulleen/Waverley
SCW- Ringwood/Waverley
D1M- Chelsea/Sunbury
D1W- Camberwell/Whittlesea
D2M- Wodonga/Pakenham
D2W- Chelsea/Blackburn
SYCM- Dandenong/Kilsyth
SYCW- Bulleen/Dandenong
Y1M - McKinnon/ Blackburn
Y1W- Camberwell/ Warrandyte
Y2M- Coburg/Chelsea

BB - you can't seriously believe that Dandy will make SYCW finals. They've lost far too many players. Still think Sandringham should make it back again.

In SYCM, how many Kilsyth players are going up to SCM with Pop now coaching that team. Could lead to a big turnover. If they are losing a few then maybe Knox will get in over Kilysth.

Think the SYCM could be a little open this year.

Ashke i do believe the Mens program have not announced one signing.Correct????

Correct, so what are you basing your comments on?

Based on the fact they havent signed anybody yet and what ive been told theyve got coming.

Oh, what you've been told.....

I'm not going to mention names before the club announces them. Thats the correct protocol.

Ashke, we all know you are down on Happy Days but HD makes good contributions to this forum and regularly comments on many of the associations in the South-east, not just SP.

If you want to be defensive of SP, which is fine, why not just contribute to the discussion, rather than trying to call out HD?

Happy to eat humble pie....

Have heard Jay Ferrier from Pakenham is done. Unable to continue playing.

Yeah thanks HO, I am sure Happy knows i am just stirring him up.

Nunawading vycw ,
lost all there good players last year and having to take on some of
Dandenongs players for this year .
Coach is going to right under the pump with not to much to play with.

Sorry sycw

1st draft is already out, finalised draw might still be a few weeks away

Michael Bookens I believe.

A. Jukes is 28
B. He's been a quality D2 player for a long time and is substantially better than somebody like Jordan Harding, who people seem to thing will set the D1 world ablaze (I'm not holding my breath)
C. Last time he played D1, he was an All Star 5 nominee and had the same back issues he has now.

So while D1 is significantly better than D2, I think he should be just fine at D1 level.

Who will be the starters at Melton? lots not playing from last year, Jukes will probably start

With a lot of the stronger clubs from DIV1 going up to Champ you would think that comp is wide open right now.

Until the ball is thrown up round one you wont know anything.

Sunbury will be strong with Grant there, Melton if they can build on the 2013 sucess should be ok, much better suited then Craigieburn of the year before.

Southern Pen Will be strong as will Chelsea, they keep a side that made finals and then add Standafer from Bulleen.

Then there is Mildura who have proven to be strong for years now. look for D1 to be another comp that we have no idea who the ladder will finish until the last round. With H 2 H playing a big part.

Draw also had Sunbury playing Mildura Saturday night in Mildura and then Melton at home Sunday.

If the Cougars are going to have any chance of winning the title they will need to develop some inside game and stop the shoot out mentality of the past few seasons.

Old or young that style ain`t gonna win them anything come finals time. It`s time they ran some structure within that group

Bring it: With Hollis & Mills from the Bandits reportedly playing for the Cougars this year it gives them 2 players who are best when playing inside so they'll have the cattle if they are prepared to use them.

Didn't Hollis sign with Wodonga?

SEABLWatcher - I said "COUGARS" mate not "WOLVES" going by what people are saying on here i dont think those two players you mentioned are making the trip down the highway to play for Keysborough.

Oops... shows how much I follow BigV haha

Most teams will carve that group up? Other than the softdrink who played D in that group?

It seams Nunawading sycw will have a battle on its hands ,and to many conflicts of interest to contend with in coaches and board members .
To many people there for there own cause ,I hope such a elite club
Can get back on track and put all there players first.

Southern Peninsula announces new import:

The Southern Peninsula Sharks have finalized their Men's team that will compete in
BigV Division 1 for season 2014. All signings for the Men’s team have been kept quiet
to date, but with the recent confirmation that Max Allin will join the team this season
as their import, everything has now fallen into place.
Allin is a 6’4 guard from Wilfrid Laurier Univeristy in Ontario, Canada. Accompanying
Max is an impressive playing
resume;
Second all time leading scorer at Wilfrid Laurier University (behind Kale
Harrison from McKinnon Cougars)
Leading scorer in the whole CIS last season
Averaged 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in 2013
Career high 43 points v Guelph

But last August we told this by the club:

"Most clubs will know that the biggest investment and asset to its organisation is its import" said Club President Glenn Shannon. ” On and off the court Manny has been sensational for our organisation and has openly expressed his desire to continue with his us”. “He has been the face of our club and “Manny Mania” after last year’s big bounce was testament to his popularity” said Shannon. “This was a very difficult decision but after the review of our program, which has fallen away in recent seasons, it was felt the financially responsible decision would be to go without an import next season and spread our resources over more areas”.

So much for being OPEN and TRANSPARENT with their members!!!!!

Yeah fair call, maybe the price tag was different?

From the Big V website, Southern Pen roster...

"Max (Allin) will team up with Ricki DeHaan who joins the Sharks after being named a YL2 All Star in 2013 as well as Grand Final MVP. Shannon Davey along with Jayden Bubb, Matt Brasser, Jason Minerve, Matthew Pollard, Michael Troyhan and Sam Domain will make up the core of the Senior Men's playing roster for season 2014.

If we assume this import is on a lot less $$ than Manny, there's a downgrade in that position along with losing their entire core - Tindall Hankin Mitchell Van Dyk, not much has come in to replace them either, only 1 player who played minutes last year in Minerve is still there, how will they go?

2 guys, Davey and Minerve

I think the import will be ok but the supporting cast is thin. Wouldn't expect them to make the finals on paper anyway.

Have Latrobe gotten any better?

Chelsea obviously have along with Sunbury.
Blackburn and Mildura will be similar to last year.

The import for Sth Pen will be a huge up grade on Manny. Manny shoots the ball 30 times a game. I read the bio on their new import and he sounds like he will be similar to kale from McKinnon.

It's going to be interesting in D1. If Mildura get Henry back and another good import they will be tough. Will LaTrobe get the perm back?

The Perm wont be back at Latrobe. Was an expensive and self centred player. Prime example is Latrobe winning in Mildura by close to 40 points without Russel and then 2 weeks later they went back to Mildura for the 1st round of finals, Russel played and they lost.

Chook you clearly have no idea about the perm.
Most unselfish import for a big man that you could ever bring over here. And very cheap..

Latrobe city - like in the past, have stuffed big time by not getting him back. They have never been the smartest cookies. That is why they are stuck playing in a terrible divison these days and not in championship

Sammy I have a fair idea about the perm. Can't argue with results, LCE were a great unit without Russ last year.

Everything aside, why would you need to spend the money to bring him back? With the front court that LCE will have , they will be plenty good enough without spending the $500 per week on an import that's big.

My reliable source tells me that they have been trying to find a new import on a very low budget. Maybe by now they have realized they aren't going anything to decent for that money and gave up.

however i do agree with you that they don't even need one.

I could also argue with you- who actually is selfish on that team and how they could have been a far better side, but there is zero point to that. Especially if your from Latrobe city. The disagreement would go nowhere

All I'm saying, is that the Perm isn't selfish like Chook makes him out to be.

Ridiculous statement. Especially when he knocked back good offers from state champ sides & SBL sides to play on virtually zero money for the energy

The perm done a great job at the club and also a great job with all the little league kids ,he is a great player and person to have at any club.

Maybe they should contact the Mildura Coach as there was a email sent to the club delegates that he has a number of imports who would come out very cheap and I guess he has the runs on the board when it comes to finding cheap players who can play.

Pool of import players is huge.Its about doing your due diligence on them. Ken Harrington has a philosophy of being a quality person number one, well educated number two and playing ability number 3.Wont always work but limits the risk of getting a dud.

Mildura will have to start favourites if they can get another quality import.

Ken Harrington's record speaks for itself.
So what if you don't like him, his job is to win and he produces.

Not surprising for Coburg, when the coach recruits Aron Pantano as a gun recruit he was always going to struggle.

is it true Tegan Cunningham has signed with Waverly

Spend $$$ = win titles.
That's generally how Big V works these days.

True, but usually the ones contending for a title are the ones spending, then the team that spends wisely or is just a better team out of that bunch will win.

2013 SCM top 4, Bulleen, Corio, Waverly and Ringwood, easily all spend more on players than every team outside the 4, Hume possibly the only exception.

Melbourne Boy is easily most consistent on these boards as being the most uncredible poster.

He also posts the most non facts and feeds off doing so.

Tip = See a post by Melbourne Boy, either don't read or treat all as fiction (across all subjects).

I wouldn't of thought that just because a team has recruited well doesn't mean they have spent the most. There is plenty that goes into a players decision on where they play, yes $$ play a factor but how about travel, role on team, development opportunities, working opportunities, coaching, level of play etc.

I say good on those clubs that have the budget to spend big $$ on players, if it's there then why not?

confirmed rumour coburg D2M is being run by a new recruit from NZ
teams getting shuffled. looking for a Center?

Lol, hey Jetset, what have i said that is fiction in this thread?

In fact other than opinion posts which of course may differ, when have i made a statement that you think is wrong?

If you can't back up your claim then you are the one we should be ignoring.

Melbourne Boy is 1 of 3 most irrelevant posters on this page.
Melbourne Boy Adds no facts, his rumour rubbish is all fiction and he has zero credibility.

IGNORE.

Jetset, I don't think MB posts outlandish rubbish here on a regular basis. Not sure whether you have any facts to back up your gripe...

Pretty sure it is a publi Forum....@ MB can pretty much post anything he wants (within reason!) related to bball.

@ MB you must have hit a raw nerve somewhere...which means you might be on to something.

Back to the Big V question raised about Ringwood....

Kenny has been a stalwart down at Ringwood for a number of years and no doubt a number of people at that organisation have a lot of respect for him.

That said thou they always spend and bring in 2 restricted players (Imports or NBL) plus a host of good locals and have not really had the results you'd expect....I stand to be corrected but I think they have only had 2 Championships since he took over way back in the 90’s

Plus in the last 5 years the Big V’s depth has fallen away a lot so no reason they shouldn’t have won more titles with the budget and set up they have when compared to the clubs in the competition.

"Melbourne Boy is 1 of 3 most irrelevant posters on this page. Melbourne Boy Adds no facts, his rumour rubbish is all fiction and he has zero credibility."

"IGNORE."

Ahh jetset, so you have nothing, lol.

I must just piss you off because i know stuff about your team which i shouldn't.

How do people think the new teams that have entered BIGV for this upcoming season. Wodonga, Oakleigh on the mens D2M from and Keysborough on the D2W.

Also, Have there been any practice games played yet? If so could some post the scores.

Jetset, I appreciate MBs comments on her because at least he is contributing something. None of those comments were overly outrageous either.

I don't see a problem with teams paying money at championship level. When clubs start paying players in the divisions then it starts to become questionable, especially at division 2 level.

Any news as to any new signings/departures? Everything has been fairly quiet this preseason.

I think Wodonga will be ok. From an outsider looking in with very minimal actual knowledge, I would say that they will have EX-SEABL players and those young ones that they have identified as future SEABL players. I believe their Men and Women will be young but pretty well coached.

For teams like Oakleigh and Keysborough it will be interesting. I am not sure where they will get the players from? Wodonga have essentially the whole North East region to themselves (excluding Shepparton and SEABL) however, Keysborough and Oakleigh are new teams in the competition competing for players within a landscape that already has seamlessly unlimited teams running around. Best of luck to all those new teams, at the end of the day, I suppose they have provided playing opportunities for more people.

If you have the money and your junior program is stable and it wont hurt your club to pay for an import even at D2 level then why not. Take Westernport for example with Hendrix, He will be out in the local community and in local schools doing his thing so there is a positive to it all.

Without trying to find out by searching all the web sites, does anyone know if there is a salary cap on the Big V, similar to NBL, or in fact SEABL?

If so, then a comparison would be interesting and it would add to the argument about how much Big V teams can pay.

How much they can afford to pay and how they use the money is more important and will determine success to a degree, but injuries and intangibles like that are also a big factor.

Corio Bay made two key buys last season, that led to them winning the Championship Division, notwithstanding the other players in the team and all of those things that came together at the right time...

If you can afford an import the main thing is to get him out into the community especially the schools to encourage kids to take up basketball in particular the entry level. More kids that get involved the stronger the association will become.

Thanks anon, I couldn't seem to find anything to say otherwise either.

Then IMO the Big V is not really a level playing field in relative terms, not saying it would be with a cap, but it would certainly help out some clubs I would have thought...

It will be interesting to see the 2014 season unfold, for sure!

@Anon...good point!

All real semi-pro leagues don't allow players on Working Holiday VISA's to play...they are required to be on the sporting VISA.

TW, I think you will find that is not quite correct. My understanding of the ruling is that you have to have a sports visa if you play at a certain level. Would think some of the BigV levels where imports are would fall beneath that?

The Working Holiday Visa only lasts for 1 year. if they come back for a 2nd year they have to be on a sporting visa. I think thats how it works but i stand to be corrected.

Happy Days I would say you are correct, I am sure i remember the guy from Mornington a few years back "Marcus" someone having issues due to his visa.

That was Marcus Robinson. Do Big V run any seminars to help clubs with understanding the immigration laws or am i asking too much.

Not that I know of, I am sure if you were to call or email them they would be able to help people out. There is enough imports out there amongst the 120 odd teams that they would have it sorted by now you would think.

#454967

That is stupid. The BigV do a pretty solid job running the league given the variables. They are something like 5 times the size of the next biggest state league in Australia and they are ok. They run a huge league and you don't hear about weekly disasters or people complaining about results and the like not being updated.

I remember Boti slagging off that only the SEABL do a good job of running their league in Australia (or something similar) and commenting then they he obviously hadn't looked at what SBL, QBL and BigV were doing.

But is it really up to the Big V office to educate everyone regarding the visa process? Providing they supply the required links on their website (which is shit, by the way) i would think that they have done their job.

BA website has all the required info anyway, but i know you experts knew that...

#455091

Just explain what is corrupt?

He is Softball Australia's Marketing Manager.Interesting appointment....must of been the quality of his work on Big V TV.

Ok. that adds some perspective thanks HD. Still nothing corrupt so far.

Bill Palmer used to do the commentary on Channel 7 when he was boss of NBL.

Watched Craigieburn beat Mornington tonite.Both teams will be competitive in there respective positions.Berry has lost weight and Breakers have a kid who is a local who i quite like but i'd say he'll go up a division next year to improve his game.

How much did Craigieburn get up by?

Any players particularly stand out? Do people have other practice game results? I'm hanging out for some news

Craigieburn by 4.No standouts for Craigieburn.Look like a group that enjoys each others company and plays well together as a team. Mornington needs a pg to run the show.Mornington offence seemed one dimensional but it is a pre season game.

Theres nothing of him but he will make players adjust there shots and get some blocks.

#455136

Are you related to Sitiveni?

Thats a question that demands a very long answer, so I am not giving it.

The "corruption" comments are just absurd. And post #136 must be very close to libel. HD had already informed us all that Nelson actually works for Softball Australia, so getting a commentary gig for an organisation he works for is hardly surprising is it?

Even IF on getting the CEO role the CEO had been asked to support Justin in getting a job at SA then that is not corrupt either.

The comments made cast an enormous cloud over the integrity of the interview panel - suggesting they manipulated the process to achieve an outcome for both people.

Corporate support will also be hard to find due to the type of competition it is.

Yes they have a large number of participants but these participants aren't a key target market for alot of major corporates (Age 18 to 28) that would want to plough money into local sports when they get far better reach via social media etc in the same target market.

I give the Big V credit though as the brand is alot better than it was about 5-7 years ago...that said the bball was a higher standard but the brand/marketing wasn't and probably missed an opportunity to try and rival SEABL in the melb market hence a number of teams flipped and went back to SEABL due to this and other reasons.

The big V has diversified away from Elite to a competitive participation based league and they are doing a good solid job from this regard.

Not sure why people need to get on here and bag a new CEO becuase she might have had health issues....seems a low blow to air such a personal issue on a forum

Anybody have any scores from the weekend?

Just interested ,has southern pen got male and female imports or just male.

Well why don't you contact the club to find out if your "interested", i think you will find they have both.

Southern Pen have one male import no females.

Been on the rumour mill for a while that he was signing for the Pacers.

Interesting choice as not sure he will be the difference making in Champ against the better teams....he will do well against the lower teasms thou.

Any other word coming for the Pacers as they surely need to recruit another import and 1/2 more locals to bolster the squad if they want to be competitive.

Happy Days, you sure about that?

As sure as death and taxes...haven't heard anything to the contrary.The womens team looks pretty decent so i wouldnt see a need to get an import but with no COO running the ship that will of freed up some dollars!!!

Sebastian Loader to play Big V with Geelong.

Well Happy Days thats good enough for me! Though i think you are wrong, our love/hate relationship continues.

Ashke when will an announcemnet be made?

Happy Days, just because you haven't heard otherwise doesn't mean you're right. Clubs don't release everything to the public.

Who's in and who's out at Bulleen? Is Rose back for another season?

Bulleen have basically got the core of the Eltham 2012 that lost to Ringwood plus imports.

Norton, Cuffe, Beston, Macdonald

Whether they sign an import or not i couldn't care less. What i was pointing out was that with the players they have recruited plus there local content they should make the playoffs without needing an import.

Couldn't care less Happy Days? Usually when someone has their bit to say about everything they do care haha.

I expect that most, if not all, big V/SEABL/NBL programs follow the 'win policy'.
The problem is that many great junior male basketballers look at competitor sports (football, rugby league) and see earning potential, either at the top level or at lower levels, kicking in at 18-21.

Our young basketballers play youth league or college, then sit behind aging and fading veterans in Big V/ SEABL and NBL, and unless they are very good, might hit the court for some decent time around their mid-20s. Too late.

I know the young kids may not be as good or smart as the veterans, but perhaps basketball as a sport has to look at the players we are losing.

This isn't something that individual clubs would/could do something about. But it is something that the leagues could do something about with some creative and courageous rule making.

To the last comment thank god for your comment ,put the best on the court .

#455961

If by youth policy, the club actually means locally developed policy, then it has merit. Some actually do mean this.

#456113

Comment meant for me?

re: 455961

Actually team selection in sport isn't covered by anti-discrimination laws.

And I did say that I didn't think it was up to individual teams or clubs to do this. That is another argument which I am happy to engage in.

What I was suggesting was that the senior leagues may have to think with some creativity.

Stingrays first import media release


http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-7333-0-0-0&sID=143617&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=28208854

Spin doctor in overdrive on that release...

What parts Happy Days?

"one of the most athletic imports ever to play in Geelong in 6'7 Duane Johnson"
Got a bit of competition there over the last 25 years i've watched Geelong play.

"I cannot wait to get out into the community of Geelong with my services to the youth and to share my basketball knowledge with them"

He said that or the club said that....

Yeah "fine line" stuff but all could be plausible, time will tell

Had some goodies over the journey:Walker, Jordan, Wilson, Locke...

Happy Days ain't a Geelong insider, i know that for a fact.

6'7 with a 35.5" vertical. I'd call that athletic. It is not stating that he is the most athletic, just putting him in a group of some amazing athletes that have played in the region prior.

Wrong side of the bay for me, but i have watched SEABL/CBA since 1987.Seen a few imports during that time.

#459607

We all love #bredlife. Who or what is Kimble though?

#459614

thanks. I love those really ambiguous posts.

Div 2 women considerably weaker than last year.
Most of last years leading players gone and 3 of the top four clubs gone, replaced by brand new teams.
Quality of the Division has dropped as a result.

Even SEABL seems shocked that Knox beat Geelong judging by their review...

KNOX 86 (Carter 19, Graham 17)

def. by

GEELONG 79 (Herbert 20, Gaff 20)

OOPS, wrong thread, sorry