Saturday 25th March 2017 Geelong Supercats vs BA CoE 5pm Women | 7pm Men Presented by
Roderick Insurance Brokers
GAME NIGHT PROGRAM SATURDAY 25th MARCH 2017 Printed by
14 Hepner Place North Geelong 3215 Ph: 52722558
VS SEABL WOMEN – 5:00PM SEABL MEN – 7:00PM
TONIGHT’S GAME SPONSOR
FROM THE FRONT OFFICE The off season is too long, everyone’s in the form of their life during the pre-season and teams are about to take it one week at a time… that’s what every team is saying right now… so let’s loosen the shackles a bit and look at the year ahead. Geelong has a proud history of producing great teams and great game nights and 2017 won’t be any different. With only one new inclusion in the 2017 men’s team (Ma’alo Hicks) we expect the old firm to be right up their again this year. Nathan Herbert, Jamie Medved, Nick Owusu, all names we have been hearing for 10+ years, but names that give us great experience and control on the court. Blicavs, Bunton, Horvat, Duck, Brancatisano, the list goes on for our women. We have prepared two very good teams for the season ahead and we are confident that we have the right mix to make an impact at the back end of the season.
Our coaching staff guided by Leon O’Neill and David Herbert have remained consistent giving the players comfort in the message being communicated and retaining the knowledge of the opposition teams. Our game night staff who control the entertainment, lights, cameras and sound have all been working since the end of last year to ensure you have the best game nights in the league to enjoy each week. So in the words of the great Michael Jordan
SOME PEOPLE WANT IT TO HAPPEN, SOME WISH IT WOULD HAPPEN, OTHERS MAKE IT HAPPEN. I like to think our people echo the last line of this statement. Hard work, relentless intent for excellence and the drive and passion to ensure we are always chasing the prize. Have a great year, cheer loud and let’s bring some championships home to GEELONG. #SeeRed #SupercatsFamily Regards,
Dean Anglin CEO
SUPERCATS MEMBERSHIPS ARE ON-SALE NOW VISIT THE SUPERCATS SHOP FOR MORE DETAILS
LUINA BIO SIGNS ON FOR 3 YEARS Following 3 years as the McDonald’s Geelong Supercats, the local club has a new naming rights partner in emerging Bio tech company LUINA. The company which is part of a business portfolio of Basketball Geelong Chairman Chris Burrell has signed on with the Supercats for the next 3 years and will assist the club to continue it resurgence as the premier basketball association in Geelong. Luina Bio is a Brisbane based drug development organisation serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and veterinary industries. With more than 20 years’ experience, Luina Bio has been developing products for clients in Australia, the United States, New Zealand and Asia.
Chairman Mr Burrell said of the partnership “I’m excited to be able to partner with the club under this new banner. Through this partnership we hope to enable the club to continue its outstanding work in the community and perform at its best”. The partnership sets up the clubs future, with a strong investment allowing for Basketball Geelong to maintain its multi-level structure including management of the Geelong Basketball League (GBL), the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) Men’s and Women’s teams and teams in the BigV senior state league and VJBL junior leagues. The Supercats program provides an elite training and game opportunity for more than 300 players each year and sees Geelong as one of the strongest basketball regions in Australia. The club would like to thank local McDonald’s owners Jeff, Peter, Geoff, Rebecca and Stuart for their support and sponsorship over the past 3 years.
LUINA GEELONG SUPERCATS SEABL WOMEN Number
Full Name
Position
Player Sponsor
Age
5
Alex Duck
Guard
26
8
Agnes Emma-Nnopu
Guard/Forward
15
9
Chantel Horvat
Forward
18
13
Alex Bunton
Centre
23
15
Sara Blicavs
Forward
24
20
Ebony Rolph
Forward
22
24
Isabella Brancatisano
Guard
22
32
Carly Sanders
Forward
17
19
Georgia Tauschke
Guard
21
30
Charlotte Brancatisano
Guard
20
44
Eve Braslis
Forward
17
99
Alisha Knights
Guard
15
Head Coach
David Herbert
Assistant Coaches
Glenn Sharp & Darren Busuttil
Team Manager & Assistant Team Managers
Beth Davis, Marcus Lovell & Malik Davis
Strength & Conditioning Coach Physio
Chelsey Cameron provided by Corio Bay Health Group
BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA COE SEABL WOMEN Number
Full Name
Position
Age
4
Jazmin Shelley
Guard
16
5
Abby Cubillo
Guard
17
6
Rebecca Pizzey
Forward
18
8
Maddison Rocci
Guard
18
9
Samantha Simons
Forward
17
10
Kiera Rowe
Forward
18
11
Ezi Magbegor
Centre
17
12
Taylor Mole
Forward
17
13
Emma Clarke
Forward
17
14
Isabelle Bourne
Forward
16
15
Zitina Aokuso
Centre
18
Head Coach Assistant Coach Team Manager Physio
Kristen Veal Matthew Paton Mert Akdeniz Tony Ward
NEXT HOME GAME FRIDAY 31ST MARCH vs BALLARAT WOMEN 6pm & MEN 8pm
SEABL SEASON PREVIEW GEELONG MEN Returning: DeMarcus Gatlin (import), Kris Blicavs, Nick Owusu, Nathan Freind, Nathan Herbert, Kristian Rocci, Liam McInerny, Eric Gaff (import), Jamie Medved, Ash Cannan. Newcomers: Ma’alo Hicks. Departing: Conner Hultgren, Kye Baulch (BigV D1M), Matthew Johns (BA COE), Seb Loader (Retired) Fixture: The Supercats’ season is bookended by two solid home stands as they venture away from the Geelong Arena just once before the Easter break before playing their last five games at home. A four-game stretch between Rounds 12-14 will test them though as they face potential finalists Mt. Gambier, Hobart, N/W Tasmania and Ballarat consecutively on the road. Strengths: With more returning players than any other club, Geelong will have no trouble coming together in the opening rounds of the season while their only newcomer, Ma’alo Hicks, has previous SEABL experience. The evergreen Nathan Herbert had his most productive season since 2011 last year while DeMarcus Gatlin had a strong second half, leading Geelong to re-sign him. Their bench should remain as one of the strongest in the league as well with Jamie Medved (alongside Herbert) set to surpass 350 games while the athletic combo of Kris Blicavs and Kristian Rocci will add an excitement factor once again this season. Weaknesses: Playing only 10 games in 2016 due to persistent injuries, Nick Owusu will be hoping for a clean bill of health as the floor general of the Supercats. He immediately makes them look more composed and assured when running the offence but if he struggles to hit the court again this season, Geelong could find themselves struggling in a stacked East Conference. Watch out for: Ma’alo Hicks. While we know what to expect from the majority of the Supercats’ roster which has helped them to the playoffs every year since 1998, Hicks could be the x-factor that carries them to their first Championship since 2010. Named in the Geelong Basketball League All-Star Five last year, the forward has the ability to cover any position in the front court while his work on the glass will be a lethal combination alongside the likes of Eric Gaff and Ash Cannan. Predicted Finish: On paper, Geelong have one of the strongest lists and we could see them leap ahead on the ladder early as they open 2017 with a handy home-stand. An older roster always brings injury and fatigue concerns but the club is experienced enough to deal with that and should feature heavily in the post-season once again. Top Two, East Conference
SEABL SEASON PREVIEW GEELONG WOMEN Returning: Alex Duck, Alex Bunton, Sara Blicavs, Ebony Rolph, Isabella Brancatisano, Eve Braslis, Agnes Emma-Nnopu, Carly Sanders,. Newcomers: Chantel Horvat, Charlotte Brancatisano, Georgia Tauschke. Departing: Angela Morris (YLW), Anna Teague (VFL), Cortney Williamson (D1W), Natalie Hughes (Retired), Rohanee Cox (Werribee), Rosie Fadljevic (Dandenong). Fixture: Geelong will be keen to start off their season positively with home games against the CoE and Ballarat but a heavy five-game schedule in the first two weeks could provide a challenge. Their run into what should be a finals series is agreeable though, playing four out of six games at home to end the regular season. Strengths: Sara Blicavs was interrupted with Opals commitments last season but alongside Alex Bunton in the front court, they look to be one of the most dominant duo’s in the competition. A 200-game veteran, Alex Duck had an outstanding year in 2016, finishing third for the league in assists per game (4.2) while also sitting second in the club for points (12.3). Isabella Brancatisano increased her own point production by three per game to 9.1 and will be a serious offensive threat while Chantel Horvat has come across from the CoE after captaining the Australian Under-19 women to qualify for the World Championships this July. Weaknesses: While Geelong still have their core together from 2016, they have lost a fair bit of experience with Natalie Hughes and Rohanee Cox staying just one year. The loss of Cortney Williamson and Anna Teague in the back court could also hurt the Supercats whose bench has been hit. Watch out for: Sara Blicavs. Finishing equal fifth in the MVP voting for the 2016/17 WNBL season, Blicavs could be ready to take over this SEABL season after an interrupted 2016 never truly allowed her to find a rhythm. Even so, she hit double-figures in scoring every game while shooting 40% from the field with a season-high of 29 points- numbers you can expect to see regularly this year. Predicted Finish: Geelong’s back court could be the difference between a top two and top four finish as playoffs are the bare minimum for a team of their calibre. Their front court duo should control the glass and produce at the offensive end but they will need to find scoring from their guards to maintain an even spread and push towards the high seeds against the likes of Kilsyth and Nunawading. Top Two, East Conference.
GEELONG Supercats men’s coach Leon O’Neill says the addition of power forward Ma’alo Hicks would incite fear into his opposition this season. The Supercats’ SEABL season kicks off today against Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, with Hicks a welcome inclusion into a relatively similar list to the one Geelong reached finals with last season. “It’s an old cliche but preseason has gone a long time,” O’Neill said. “The way we were bundled out last year ... leaves a lingering taste in the mouth. But now it’s finally here.” But the former Corio Bay Stingrays forward has made a sizeable impression on the SEABL coach, giving O’Neill another “weapon” in the arsenal. “Ma’alo Hicks comes across from Corio Bay, he’s a big in for us. He was a Pictures: GLENN FERGUSON dominant player in that league (the Big V),” O’Neill said. “He’s a physical big man, he’s an added offensive weapon. We’re really excited to get him involved in the program; we’ve spoken a number of years to get him back into the SEABL. “We only played two preseason games and our last game we played against Werribee’s Big V side. He started for us and played a significant role. I’d expect to start him Saturday night. He’d be a handful for anyone; he’s a big, big man.” O’Neill said his side’s season opener against CoE shaped as the young verses the old. “We only play them once; they’re a bit of an anomaly in the comp,” he said. “We know they’ll be athletic, intense, well coached; they’ve got a lot of international experience among the group. “They’ve got players that will potentially go on to be very good players, but they’re young – they’re 16-, 17-, 18year-olds. We’ve got an average age of 30, so they’re on the other end of the experience tree to us.” O’Neill said his side was looking forward to another campaign. “The boys have really put in a big preseason. One of our great strengths is our depth of talent,” he said. “I’m excited to see what Saturday might bring – hopefully we put on a good show.” Written by Damien Ractliffe, Geelong Advertiser
THE unavailability of Sara Blicavs and Alexandra Bunton for the start of the SEABL season will allow Lady Supercats coach David Herbert the chance to blood his brigade of young stars. The two marquee players have been unavailable all preseason, with Blicavs’ WNBL campaign and Bunton’s Eastern European Women’s Basketball League season both heading deep into finals. “We don’t have a full complement of players yet, so obviously when we’re at full strength it’s going to be a lot easier,” Herbert said. “That creates its own challenges but we’ll blend it all together when they’re good to go and hopefully across the season we’ll improve dramatically. “But at this point in time we’re quite young, and I think that’s pretty exciting really — the local talent that’s coming through, we’re going to have that on display.” Geelong junior Chantel Horvat lines up against her old side tomorrow after joining the Lady Supercats, when they host Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence. Horvat is a welcome inclusion for Herbert. “She’s one of the most exciting athletes you’ll see playing, so that’s something to look forward to,” he said. “Ebony Rolph returning, she’s had a fantastic pre-season so far. Alex Duck, you just know what you’re getting every time she steps on the floor — she’s a tremendous player, great defender, probably one of the best ones I’ve ever coached. “The two Brancatisano sisters (Isabella and Charlotte), they’re in amazing touch right now. To be honest, I think not having Sara and Alex, they’re two marquee players but we’ve certainly got enough depth in the squad to cover that.
“There are a number of young players — Agnes Emma-Nnopu, Carly Sanders, Eve Braslis and young Ally Knights — they’re all basically 16, 17 or 18 years of age, so we’re kind of a mini CoE side in Geelong.” Herbert said if his side was ahead of the leger when Bunton and Blicavs returned, it would put the club in a strong position. “You’ve basically got to beat every team, there’s no question about that,” he said. “We’re hoping to make sure we jag at least two or three wins out of our first five, and if we do that we’re in really good shape.” Written by Damien Ractliffe, Geelong Advertiser
LUINA GEELONG SUPERCATS SEABL MEN Number
Full Name
Position
Player Sponsor
Age
5
DeMarcus Gatlin
Combo Guard
24
8
Kris Blicavs
Combo Gard
28
9
Nick Owusu
Point Guard
32
11
Nathan Herbert
Shooting Guard
32
15
Ma'alo Hicks
Power Forward
29
17
Nathan Freind
Guard
26
21
Kristian Rocci
Shooting Guard
23
24
Liam McInerney
Power Forward
26
42
Eric Gaff
Centre
30
52
Jamie Medved
Shooting Guard
34
54
Ash Cannan
Power Forward
35
Head Coach
Leon O’Neill
Assistant Coach
Luke Beauglehall
Team Manager & Assistant Team Managers Physio
Jesse Drever, Nathan Scarlett & Marcus Lovell provided by Corio Bay Health Group
BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA COE SEABL MEN Number
Full Name
Position
Age
4
Mate Colina
Centre
17
5
Angus Glover
Guard
18
6
Kyle Zunic
Guard
18
7
Tom Fullarton
Guard
17
8
Nicholas Stoddart
Guard
16
9
Callum Dalton
Centre
16
10
Alexander Mudronja
Guard
17
11
Lat Mayen
Forward
18
12
Matthew Johns (GEELONG)
Forward
17
13
Samson Froling
Forward
17
14
Callum Beard
Forward
16
15
Owen Hulland
Centre
17
Head Coach Assistant Coach Team Manager Physio
Adam Caporn Michael Cassidy Mert Akdeniz Tony Ward
NEXT HOME GAME FRIDAY 31ST MARCH vs BALLARAT WOMEN 6pm & MEN 8pm
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