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NBL1 West 23/24 Offseason: News & Rumours
One post for all Offseason News and Views. I'll start with the most pressing news which will be 2024 Head Coaches by club.
Women
Cockburn - First ever GF appearance. TT safe to return next year
Eastern Suns - Rendulic did ok with what he had. Much like East Perth they need stability and continuity in their program to really develop a club identity at nbl1 level
East Perth - Limited budget and preparation, but you can't see Craig Allen leaving the Eagles. And that program really does need some stability and continuity
Geraldton - Word is the powers that be over east have advised the Midwest club they MUST field a women's team like every other club after next season. Knowing how badly their first attempt finished up having to pay for two years of license fees without fielding a team, one suspects there's a fair bit to play out in this one!
Goldfields - Thompson has been in charge since they joined the League and was decimated with injuries this season. He's not going to win them a championship any time soon but not too sure there are many other suitable options for the Giants at this stage
Joondalup - Big budget, not alot of junior development and expectations far too high. It has gone all wrong for Wong and it's hard to see how the Wolfpack Hierarchy don't look elsewhere in 2024
Lakeside - Could they be onto their third coach in four years in 2024? Only time will tell
Mandurah - Another season of almost but never was for the Magic. Vlad was great but Reynolds clearly wants to be in charge and that arrangement can't be good for team chemistry. 2024 could be Milo's swansong - She will need someone with championship winning experience in charge to finally get the one thing that has eluded an amazing career, a championship ring
Perry Lakes - Ageing squad heavily reliant on Clark and Isenbarger. Mansfield has become predictable with his game plan and needs a windows update over the offseason if he is to challenge the big budget clubs
Perth - Two coaches on the season, neither of which will be at the helm in 2024. Drastic cultural change is needed at the Redbacks in their women's program or Jakens will not be the only local to leave there and abandon the sinking ship
Rockingham - Arguably the biggest budget in the League and Knowles still could not get it done despite having Bevo as an assistant. Has horrendously underachieved since being in charge at the Flames and with a president who thrives for success, there's more chance of Elvis being found alive than there is of Knowles being in charge of the Flames next year. Big coaching cleanout on the way I predict
South West - Ciabbatoni had nothing to work with apart from her assistant coaches daughter and some talented but ultimate undersized young locals. It's the one coaching gig in NBL1 West nobody wants but if Ciabba doesn't want it, its somewhat scary to think what may happen with the program down there
Warwick - Jonelle isn't going anywhere. Teams have figured the Senators out this season after a dream run in 2022 but expect Warwick to reload with two new stud imports as well as a Lynx player or two to support the emergence of young Foster and your foundation for another tilt at a championship is there waiting for you. Plus which club would be stupid enough to get rid of the person second in charge at BWA!?
Willetton - The only person safer than Jonelle Morley at Warwick, is Simon Parker at Willetton. Sustained success has been Parker's trump card since taking over in the role and if he wins another championship this weekend, will go down as one of the best women's coaches of all time and justifiably so too. Will Sharp return now she isn't playing for the Lynx - that's Parker's biggest issue in the offseason