With the rising cost of jet fuel and the failure of a company trying to sell magical pills to help “fire power” fuel, the League now moves into recession with a ten team competition.
Photo: Crocs Imports - Homicide Williams and John Rillie
The last and only time the NBL fielded exactly ten teams; Malcolm Fraser was the Prime Minister, the St. George Dragons won their last premiership, US President Jimmy Carter was attacked by a "Swamp Rabbit" (yeah an effin’ Swamp Rabbit!), "My Sharona" was in heavy rotation on 7 inch vinyl jukeboxes and the St. Kilda Saints piped the Canberra Cannons by one point to win the inaugural NBL Grand Final.
That was 1979 and after 29 years few constants remain from that era; we still have the same Queen holding court and the Illawarra Hawks are the only surviving team from that original season despite a minor name change.
Talent throughout the League is now concentrated, teams are stacked, which leads to an ultra fight-out to reach the playoffs. Six deep, tough, resilient and healthy squads will claim those spots. We’ll let the experts tell you who these teams will be, but here’s a quick rundown of each team in no particular order (but those crap teams near the bottom won’t be in the top six).
Team-by-Team preview
Melbourne Tigers
I am not sure how they teach math in Melbourne? But somehow they make numbers that shouldn’t add up, add up in their favor. Wouldn’t you want Seamus McPeake to do your taxes and come up with insanely ludicrous returns? He should be appointed the commissioner and share his numeration super powers to help save the entire NBL. The other nine teams are going to enjoy taking games away from the Tigers, which will happen more then expected because this squad is not as impressive as advertised. Superannuated all-stars Anstey and Mackinnon head a team packed with perimeter-happy types, while lacking playmakers. Ebi Ere is a scoring machine, but he was at his best when Brisbane were missing some star players and more offence was needed to flow through him.
South Dragons
The Dragons suffered a small shunt with the loss of Ere, but the addition of Mark Worthington, Mika Vukona and Adam Gibson has them primed for massive improvements from last year. This squad now has the task to turnaround a club that won five games last year to now reach the playoffs and continue Brian Goorjian’s ridiculous streak of 19 straight semi-final appearances.
Brisbane Bullets
Oh, that’s right…
Townsville Crocodiles
Corey “187-on-an-undercover-cop Homicide: Life on the Street” Williams returns with his own signature kicks and trademark head decoration. Homicide now has a superior psychological edge over the rest of the League, because we all know you play better in new shoes and freshly sliced hair. He pairs up with John Rillie (pictured above) to make up the best backcourt import duo in the game, while Rosell Ellis is back and the handy addition of former Kings, Russell Hinder and Cam Tovey has the Crocodiles in solid shape.
Perth Wildcats
The addition of imports Iron Mike Darnell Hinson and Isiah Victor greatly boosts the Wildcats, who are now reaping the benefits of having new-aussie Shawn Redhage in the mix.
Wollongong Hawks
After two tumultuous seasons, Hawks’ fans finally have a team they can get excited about. Sav returns in serendipitous circumstances to help anchor Wollongong’s new battleship, while Cam Tragardh enters the season in the best condition of his career and continues to ride his rapid curve of improvement. Dusty Rychart provides all the interior dirty work and stability that James Peters and Angelo Reyes lacked and Lindsay Tait is back to full strength after missing the bulk of last season. To top it off are the two most consistent players from last year; Kavossy Franklin and Mat Campbell.
Cairns Taipans
Ian Crosswhite comes in and partially fills the void left by Nathan Jawai, while Dave Thomas adds a wealth of experience and versatility to a well gelled core from last season.
Adelaide 36ers
Luke Schenscher is the second greatest red-headed Australian Chicago Bulls center of all-time and he joins Adam Ballinger to form the most dangerous Ranga frontline in the history of the NBL, “Twin Rangas”? Aaron Bruce is comin’ straight outta Waco and ready to unleash four years of collegiate experience. He gives the Sixers some much needed new blood, while the South Australian Medical Institute has confirmed that Brett Maher has two arms, two legs and is legally classified as “alive”. Since Maher has nothing better to do he’ll suit up and be ready to run game this year.
New Zealand Breakers
CJ Bruton and Kirk Penney are a lethal scoring combination, but they typify the Breakers limitations. The Breakers aren’t quite on par with the deeper teams and they’ll be looking to score a load of points from outside to knockout opponents. The loss of Vukona leaves a gaping hole, his intensity and defensive presence is in contrast to the new squad which is light on interior players.
Gold Coast Blaze
Playmaking, playmaking, playmaking. Brendan Joyce’s game plan involves placing the pill in Shane Heal’s 38-year-old hands and when Heal needs to rest his aching joints, the offence is transferred to Joyce’s 21-year-old son Daniel. The lack of foresight in composing this team will keep them a peg behind the leading pack. Their flawed backcourt is the weak link, compromising their offensive punch and marking an enticing soft spot in their defence.
Sydney Spirit
Jason Smith joined his old cross-town rivals who morphed into a pseudo replacement for the defunct Kings. Sydney Basketball needs help, but it looks bleak when fans are even struggling to keep Rugby League afloat in its own heartland. The Spirit is in for a tough ride with Smith and Tony Rampton due to miss a significant chunk of the season.
