Who would be the title favourites right now & why?

There was no thought put into it at all other than some other leagues are doing it so we should do it as well. It's a shame IMO because 40 minute games are an inferior product. I can understand compromising the product for a league like the NBL to be more tv friendly but why do it for the SBL which will never be on tv. Such a shame.

Word at Cockburn
Goodes owes over$2000 in driving fines. There is a warrant out for his arrest.
If he is picked up again he will be arrested. What happens in this situation? Would/could he be deported? Eagles could loose him before the season starts.

let's get this one up the top too.

To the guys questioning the 40 min change, how about leaving it, it's done, who cares what the rationale is. ALL 14 associations signed off on it and the commission too. Most of the people on these forums are 18-30 yo males, 48 mins don't affect us. However there are also families and kids who attend SBL games, and games finishing 11PM Friday night isn't that family friendly. Shave 8 mins of playing time off the game and you save about 30 mins of match time.

For those arguing SBL isn't an entertainment product, then from a development POV it means less time for the 9th and 10th players. These players should go and play Division 1. They should even be in the SBL squad. The SBL doesn't exist so Sam Curtis and Logan Viskovich can get minutes. is their 2-3 minutes of playing time developing them? No. Better off playing Division 1 and making the squad when theyre ready.

I think favourites for this year have to be Slammers and Tigers.

Slammers: Voelkel, Nichols, Weeden, Worthington, Lay, Hickert etc
Tigers: Armour, Cody, Scott, Bowie, Davis, Noordhoek, Johnson etc
Redbacks can get a decent import, you'd have to say they're in the top 4 conversation as well.

Have the Slammers signed Hickert, thought he was playing for Perry Lakes

And Wortho having a year off or is their signings that we don't know about?

How good is Voekel? And how was Jordan Swing for those who saw him?

Without sounding racist - have their been any other white imports the past half dozen years?

He means Trent Worthington I would assume, although he also states Jordan Hickert who I believe has signed with Perry Lakes

sources tell me Jordan returning to SW

watch Kyle Armours assists go through the roof. Scott and Bowie on the wings and Davis to dish it off to inside. He has no problem getting into the key, Tigerland will be dangerous.

Hickert has been training with PL. Perry Lakes not in the top 4? BC an aussie and the possible inclusion of Adekponya and an import or two?

Goodes warrant isnt for unpaid parking fines. Its for something else.

would you like to elaborate on what the warrant is for?

its nothing sinister.Its money owed related.

Lol Hickert is playing for Perry Lakes unless you mean his brother Tyler but he is still in the US

Goodes did owe speeding fines, but that isnt what the warrant is for. Its for unpaid rent.

lol Cockburn have 7 days to grant a clearance once its presented to them. If they dont Goodes AUTOMATICALLY is cleared after the 7 days even if he owes them money. They can whinge an carry on all they like, but in the end Goodes will be cleared.

That is absolutely not correct. 7 days automatic only applies if they dont respond. If money is owed, they have 7 days to deny the clearance - which you expect they will do.

Maybe eagles will write a cheque to cockburn to facilitate the clearance?

Perry Lakes, Joondalup, Tigers and then the rest probably at this stage.

Slammers have potential but need to get it together. Cockburn could still be strong as long as they have Field and two imports.
Goldfields will improve but aren't proven yet.
Rockingham likely to slide.
Suns about the same.
Lakeside about the same.
Stirling might improve with Vague, but they still will struggle if they use an import spot on Ellis.
Redbacks probably about the same.
Geraldton could be very good if they retain Adekponya.

Gero
Tigers
Wolves
Slammers
Hawks


The 40 mins reduced games should help Geraldton lack of depth.
If they retain what they had last year they will be top 4 again no doubt.
If Cook is now an Aussie and they get another import then they should win it all.

Hussey
Akeponya
Import
Import
Wunders

bench
Cook
Ralph
Wrensted
+ that other bench player.

That should be enough with 40min games.

Wolves -
Will not be happy after losing as red hot favourites last year.
Already made a change with Davis out and new import in.
Big call.
Hire would likely return, maybe need another import too seeing they lost to Field-less cougars.

Perry lakes - 2 imports and Carwell.
Will be around the mark.

Willo - will be tough
Davis
Armour
Scott
Bowie

Slammers - 4 Americans again so must be at least top 4.

Who is Holloway?

Is Holloway better than Goodluck though? Goodluck was underutilised I thought.

Slammers won't make the playoffs

Cant believe they did not make finals last year.
Weedon/Easley/Crouch and Nichols plus the locals.
One of the poorer preforming teams that's for sure.

Weeden is done, Easley was god awful last year, Crouch was one dimensional. Nichols was a one man band

Easley is at East Perth and Adekponya if he plays wont be at Geraldton

Yeah Easley and Goode at East Perth, better have some solid defensive guards

Chemistry will be a big challenge for the Giants, as well as depth in the big man dept. good 2/3 man combo as well as Holloway and Goodluck. Bench is thin but 40 min game will help - coaching experience is also thin but time will tell.

Wish other clubs would be proactive with their squads like the Giants.

I dont see alot of change from last year in terms of the usual suspects challenging for top 4.

Word has it that AJ Mastrovich is officially retiring.IMO at his peak one of the best Aussie scorers in SBL history. Great career across multiple leagues and countries spanning 20+ years. Congrats AJ

Van Lit was a terrible coach, big part of the reason why Slammers didnt make the finals last year. Couldnt run a play to save his life. They should make it this year no worries

Perry Lakes are getting slept on.

Van Lit is the worse coach hahahahaha

Ok apologies Mr/Mrs. Van Lit

I see on the Wolfpak twitter account that 2.5hrs before the SBL grand final the men's team had a "team dinner" eating zambreros.
1) - Surely Mexican is not the best pre-game meal
2) - Why change your routine just for the GF
Very strange!

Team dinner on the Thursday I think it was....

Davis wont be playing for willeton, but the 2014 league mvp will be

Goodluck best used as a backup combo guard. He might be better but Holloway is better in that starting 5.

Humphris will be the interesting one for me. I would expect him to be a 15-20ppg guy.

No davis at willo but turner will be there

"Word has it that AJ Mastrovich is officially retiring.IMO at his peak one of the best Aussie scorers in SBL history. Great career across multiple leagues and countries spanning 20+ years. Congrats AJ"

How old is he?

AJ is About to turn 37. He fist played SBL for East Perth in 1996 and averaged 11 ppg as a 16 year old

Thought he was older, but that early start explains things.

If I recall correctly, he had a nice mid-range jumpshot at NBL level.

Yes you are correct. He was always a great shooter from range even as a jiunior. Not many people know that he had a few elbow and hand surgeries in his early 20s which effected his range for a couple of years which is most of the time he spent in the NBL and yes he spent those years in the mid range mostly. That is why he came back from Europe the first time. Anyone watching him in the SBL over the last 6 or 7 years has probably seen how deep his range is. He has led the league in 3pt % a couple of times and actually did again this year according to the SBL website statistics. I'm not sure why he didn't get it at the awards night. . It's a shame I think he may have produced a lot more in the NBL if completely healthy.

Feel for the Slammers as a lot of their good locals aren't interested in playing SBL. Look at some of the guys playing in the South West A grade comp and they could be legit rotation players and push their end of bench to the D League making the club as a whole stronger.

Why would those locals be keen to train two-three times a week to sit on the end of a bench and watch the four Americans play? They have just as good of a view from the bar without the commitment

They wouldn't be end of the bench, they'd be starters or 7-10th man

Some amazing lineups coming this year, question is can they put it all together? How will that many people deal with one Basketball?


Perry Lakes are stacked with the signing of Adekponya and Carlwell as Aussies and then two americans.

Joondalup will get Hire and two imports.

Willo signed Ray Turner along with Armous, Bowie, Scott, 1 ball, 4 scorers. Will be tough.

Gero will find another two americans and another Aussie for sure.

Perth Redbacks have signed Redhage and whoever else they get as the two yanks, so will be interesting if Redhage will go back to being the guy he used to be and shoot 40 times a game.

Redhage will have to put up 50, because they wont be getting 2 imports.

do Kalamunda have mijovic and barr returning this season as they averaged 50 ppg last year that is a lot of points to find in womens basketball.
Mandurah magic 2x imports plus mullenax playing as an aussie ,2 veteran point guards in munday and bowie to steer the ship - plus a host of younger players julitz,simpson and will be better organised.

im looking forward to seeing SBL in the new Mandurah stadium. the courts look awesome. Hopefully the team can perform better and they can get some crowds in there

Mandurah should be decent, maybe not a playoff team but not the pushovers they were last year. Two imports (Ricky Kreklow is one) and Mullenax back. Losing Smith hurts but Mully naturlaised

Geraldton in conversations with Kevin Davis after he was let go by the Tigers prematurely:

1- Hussey
2- Adekponya
3- Barrow
4- Cook
5- Davis

6- Wundenberg
7- Ralph

This team is looking very legit right now. That's 4-5 NBL calibre players.

Agree that team is very very good. Only 1 NBL calibre and fringe at best. Adekponya.

That roster isnt really that good if Adekponya isnt on the team.

Is Adekponya better than Hussey??

yes he is much better

Yes he is, Husseyw as horrible at NBL level too

Is Adekponya currently playing D League?

Depending on where Adekponya plays (Either PL or Gero)

Either way there is only 4 teams contending this year

Geraldton

Hussey
Import
Adekponya
Barrows
Wunderberg
Cook
Bench
Ralph
Wrensted
If they don't get Akeponya surely another NBL frindge player of note.

Wolves

Illiadas
Salinas
Hire
Import
Import
Huntington
Maxy
Wellsted
Can even include questrel and the other Maxwell

Tigers

Armour
Scott
Bowie
Turner
Cody/Johnston
Not a lot after that, only Black Jn etc
They were only a decent big away from a GF last year and they have now got that in Turner.

Perry Lakes

Import
Import
Import (Carwell)
Adekponya
Purser
Bench will hv depth
Garlepp
Smith
Dixon
Cassir
Locals wont get much of ago but at least they will be winning some serious games.

Redbacks may be alright if they have S.R and 2 x imports.

Cant really see any other challengers.

Adekponya in Europe.

Perry Lakes arent going to have Dixon or Garlepp. Both are moving interstate.

Josh Johnson not with tigers for 2017

Cassir isnt done.

sounds like perry lakes women are on the move as well- Candace Williams , Natalie burton, a returning college girl who her name escapes me but some-one on this forum would know.not a bad few additions after being only one game away from the G.F
is gabby clayton going to play for the tigers if sugar ray turner is going to play.

Add to Willetton an emerging Lachlan Evans and Hayden Noordhoek returning. Jake Burston couldn't be tempted into returning to share the caught with his boy Stixy.

Evans is still a year or two away from being ready.

Especially in 40 min games.

Without Adekponya in the lineup the Centre import would want to have a little range. Could have 4 people in the starting lineup who are below average three point shooters.

Highly unlikely they will have Adekponya. One report with a throw away line about negotiating and people are all over it. He is in Europe and there is no guarantee he comes back to the SBL after it.

Who's the new guard?

So what you are hinting at is that Benny Lewis Jnr is going back to Gero

Tevin is with Cairns

"their new recruit from Melbourne (who has NBL experience)"


Tevin is from Perth and playing in Cairns? Don't understand your point.

gabby clayton at perry lakes,sam norwood at willeton - there are some seriously good teams starting to get formed in the WSBL.

Tevin is also not a guard

Tell us Greg, how close is he?

Tevin would be a great pickup for a club. Young, experienced now and def talented.

No Zunic @ the GIANTS...moved town.

Makes them a bit thinner up front.

Willeton lineup on paper is stacked. Not sure how they will make it work TBH. A whole bunch of Alphas on that squad.

you lose Johnson to retirement but gain noordehoek off the bench.

Realistically the centre position was their only weakness in 2016. That and losing Alan Blacks fast and furious fist pumps on the sidelines halfway through the season.

Funches was largely underwhelming for the Tigers and bringing in a guy like Turner will put them definitely in the top 3 teams pending staying healthy

I would have south west a lot higher than 10 - maybe replacing rockingham depending on where chauder pal is playing is he still with rockingham ?

^ 'Nichols is a flat out winner' - didn't they finish 10th last year?

Tigers have 4 x studs, if all up and firing.
So will be a lock for top 4.

To win it all they need input from some others.
|
Nic Cody had some hype a few yrs back but never really went on with it. 12pts/6rbds not mind blowing stats.

Need some of the bench or young guys to step it up a notch and they can win it all for sure!

pretty much every team has 4-5 studs now.

Willo - the five mentioned

Joondalup - 2 x Imports, Seb, Trian, Huntingdon

PL - 2 x Imports, BC, Purser, Adekponya, Smith

Gero - 2 x Imports, Hussey, Wunderberg, Ralph.

I mean look at those teams. They all could win it.

Giants

Holman / Pillard
Humphries
Atem

Those all could give you 20-10-4 on a given night.

Im talking top 5% of league Studs

Willo - the five mentioned
No 4 mentioned.

Joondalup - 2 x Imports, Seb, Trian, Huntingdon

2 x imports if they get them.
Trian is a stud.
Huntington no - good player not stud.
Seb - was a stud not these days. No disrespect to him.


PL - 2 x Imports, BC, Purser, Adekponya, Smith
Imports need to see first?
Purser - No.
Smith - Hell no.
Adekponya - Yes
BC - Not on 2016 form.

Gero - 2 x Imports, Hussey, Wunderberg, Ralph.

Imports - Yes.
Hussey - 50/50
Wunderberg-Ralph No

I mean look at those teams. They all could win it.

atem for the giants NO !!!

re Nichols, yep 10th last year with absolutely no help whatsoever. It's a miracle he got that far. Reuniting with the previous import, those guys will be TOUGH.

Totally disagree with you on Purser. He is the perfect australian 3rd option behind a couple of imports or Adekponya. Plays probably the best defense in the league and a capable scorer.

He is up there as the best 4/5 aussies in the league with Trian, Kyle, Gav and Adekponya.

Not saying Purser is not a great player.
He is for sure.

But not an A grader. Not elite.
He avg 16/9/4.5 solid numbers.
Shoots at 40% and lead the league in total turnovers.

Perry Lakes lost to the State 20's team last night

Is that the team of a tonne of Lakeside players?

So who is the Geraldton guard. Currently or previously in the NBL?

Who did Parsons coach in the scratch match ?!

Stirling signing Wroe, Ellis, Brandt and Vague. That is a solid team with room for another import.

Parsons coached the U20s

wont work considering Brandt and Wroe are still restricted. Wroe may fall under by the end of the season, but Brandt wont.

unlucky then for Stirling.

Sarcasm doesnt translate through the internet very well. Think its great they cant just add 3 NBL players to their roster.

If anyone signs Wroe as an unrestricted player they won't be going too far this season. Dude can't even average double figures in the SBL and his defence isn't that stellar. Just an average State League player that shouldn't anywhere near the NBL

It will be interesting to see about WROE. He is the type of player you want on your team at this level. Unless a team like Wolves, rotated him and Hire.

Redhage will not be restricted. Can we see Redbacks getting 2 others IMPORTS ?? Only way they would be considered a playoff chance I think...( AND THATS STILL UP IN THE AIR AS TIME GOES)

Talking about how Purser isn't a so-called A-grader got me thinking, who is the best unrestricted Australian on each men's team, and where do they stack up as other best Aussie options.

Geraldton: Hussey (assuming no Adekponya)
Wanneroo: Trian
Cockburn: Bob
Perry Lakes: Purser
Willetton: Kyle
Redbacks: Lewis Thomas/Vigor
Bunbury: Michael Lay/Ben Smith
Mandurah: Jarrad Jackson
Goldfields: Daniel Goodluck
Lakeside: Seva (if he's still there)
East Perth: Vague (if he's still there)
Rockingham: ??
Kalamunda: ??
Stirling: Coburg?

Kalamunda : Kerrod Horn(when he is fit)
Rockingham : Ryan Godfrey

Giants - Goodluck / Atem / Holloway / Haney ?

Seva Chan has moved back to Cockburn. However he is injured again.

So whats Stirlings lineup looking like ?

C-Import
F-Ellis
F-Vague
G-Coburn
G-Bruton ???? No idea from there on...

They would be filling the guard spoke without Wroe with someone I guarantee.

Ellis being restricted at his junior club because he hasn't played enough games doesn't seem in the spirit either but the rule is the rule

Gero new import looks SOLID....Will give them some length but not alot of muscle.
Alot of pressure on Hussy to stay healthy and run the show with both imports being BIGS.

Gero import looks LEGIT!!!

Any news from Giants camp about the arrivals of any of there numerous new players?

Willetton looking for 3 cars for their imports. With Turner and Bowie signed, that means they're probably signing a female import. Whitcomb confirmed at Willetton but she defs has her own car. Deep pockets at Willetton.

My boy Riggedy Ray 'Sugarhill' Turner just touched down in P Town waddduppo! HOOODEEEEHOOOOO. Yo Tigez about to run amok in this piece AIIGHT? First dey had Ma boy Julius Bowie clutchin, then signed Ma boy Charles FunchmasterFlex. I mean fair play to him, Chuck weren't the right piece but yo they was one game out of the Chip!

But now. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh baby! You got Ma boy Julius, knocking them mid rangers clean, swiping the ball away like it's the Rucker, and then now you ADDING Rizzay?! Fuar. Bruh they ain't playing no more. Maybe Geraldton be the only team to challenge, coz they fine as all hell too, but man. You cats remember when Ray Turner aka William Turner aka bootstrap Bill dropped like 60/30 on the Tigers like 2 years ago. Man. I mean, he had Corey Easley scrubbing the main deck and Ephrem Davis tightening the ropes. AYE AYE CAPT'n!

This gone be some special young pups, you best believe, Willetton gone be turnt in this itch. RAY TURNER GONNA COME IN HERE AND PUT CASES ON ALLLLLLL YOU . YALL GONNA BE PLAYING BASKETBALL, in PELICAN BAY!

Ignoring the above nonsense I am interested to see how Turner fits in at Willoland. At Redbacks he was the sole focus of the team and got his whenever he wanted. Now he comes in as the best player on the Tigers, but is Bowie willing to sacrifice? It seems like Scott will probably be the one who takes the biggest hit, but maybe his numbers stay the same he just becomes more efficient.

Been over a month since anything has been posted to the SBL website.

sounds like lako opening the chequebook for 2017

redhage and vigor signed. both would be getting decent coin there

Ben Smith and Wagner on some coin

chasing a high level import as well as dexter kernich drew. $$$

could make for a ripper lineup but will be expensive

If only Lako could open up the playbook as well they might be successful

If only Perth had a coach for all that talent

Corban Wroe restricted status lifted.

Different rules for different people.

Ok we all understand he is no where close to NBL standard and really barely a decent SBL player (9pts & 5ast in 2016).

However rules are rules and it shouldnt be based on hio lack of talent!

Just opens up the door for other restricted players now I guess.

I disagree. Games where a player has not been selected in the side should not count towards their minutes calculation.

If a player is injured for 75% of the year and then comes and plays 20 mins a game. They won't be restricted by this method as they will have 18 games of 0 minutes and then 8 games of 20 mins. Bringing them well below the threshold.

No - re read the article. They are talking about games where he was available to be selected in the side. But he wasn't selected e.g. Not suited up in uniform.

Those games should not count and they have included them.

Either way he shouldn't be restricted so I agree it is not in the spirit of the rule

If you suit up it should count as game played.
Simple.
Black and white.

Now its blurred with this ruling.

^My point exactly

^
Agree.

If your playing 30minutes in any games in NBL regardless of injuries, its still 30mins!!

Yeah be interesting if it was am ore talented player what the ruling would be!

Lukosius - On NBL website
Corban Wroe Perth Wildcats 14games 10.47mins

Ok if he suited up for 16 games and avg 9.1mins then that is fine. I will let him play now hehehe.

Watch the SBL become boring now with the transition from 48 to 40 mins.

the fact of the matter is, would you rather fork out $10 to go see johnno moon running the show for stirling or corban wroe?

the league is better for it having a perth wildcat in the league.

people keep quoting his 9 and 6 stats but don't forget he had Adrian majstrovich on his team along with ellis, import and bruton all who weren't shy to get a shot or two up. He is a tough physical defender, doesn't turn the ball over and distributes for others. Much like Taylor land was for Rocko

I am not saying he set the world on fire or expect that his numbers will drastically change this year, just that he is a better player than some of the other chumps running around.

after watching a highlight reel of ricky krecklow the new signing for Mandurah. he looks as though he plays a lot like last years import in trevor setty

haha these posts are ludicrous

time to get past this one. its not a big deal. wroe vague ellis and an import are still not going to do anything other than be a playoff team.

let them have Wroe. He wouldnt even be in the top 10 PGs in the SBL. Much better players on other teams that run rings around him. He really isnt that good.

Im not a big fan but I would have him on my team! He is a TOP 5-6 PG in this league without question. Dont be silly.

Yeah you would take him on your team, last year I would rank Ellis,Linberg,Litterick,Aj,Coburn all in front of him.
Bruton too even though he getting older he still gives you that 3pt threat to open the floor.

So yeah you would take him in your team for sure but he would be the 6th or 7th most valuable.

Ricky Kreklow is much better than Setty.

while on Mandurah I see on the albury Wodonga lady bandits web-site today that last seasons all-star import adijat adams has signed with the club for 2017.

Please don't bump the January thread when there is already a busy February thread in use