Geraldton Buccaneers back on court as they start their season against South West Slammers

After the heartbreak of last year’s grand final loss and a busy off-season, the Geraldton Buccaneers are ready for another championship run as they begin their campaign against the South West Slammers this weekend.

The two sides couldn’t have had more different seasons last year with the Buccs having one of their best-ever seasons taking out the minor premiership with a 19-3 record.

On the other end, the Slammers had one of their worst with only three wins last year finishing bottom of the table for the third straight year in a row.

But a new season is a clean slate and Buccaneers coach Dayle Joseph will not be taking anything for granted come Saturday night.

“We won’t get a lot of chance to scout on the Slammers so we’ll be concentrating on us and our stuff,” he said.

“They have a couple of guys returning from last year which we know a couple of things about and there’s a couple of things defensively we’ll work on.”

Joseph said he was feeling refreshed for the new season after taking some time off over the break.

“I had a really good break, I didn’t get involved in the local basketball and spent some time in the US watching a few games and learning a couple of things,” he said.

“By doing all that I feel a bit more refreshed and ready to go and a new squad it’s going to be good.”

While much of the squad returns from last year there have been some big changes with All-Star and runner-up MVP Cameron Coleman departing and fellow import Mathiang Muo going to the Joondalup Wolves.

In their stead Aaron Ralph returns as captain after spending more than a year-and-a-half off the court while Matt Berkec comes from Melbourne and Zac Gattorna arrives from the NBL champions Sydney Kings.

Joseph said between rising local talent and the new signings the Buccs would be able to cover the loss of two of its best from last year.

“I think we’ve covered their loss pretty well in different ways, I like to think we’re probably a little more athletic and can play a little bit quicker,” he said.

“I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far in training it’s been good to have most of the squad together for a few weeks now, big Matt has fitted in nicely and I think we’re looking pretty good.

“We won’t be changing our game plan too much its worked for us over a long period of time it’ll just be about refining a couple things.”

While it is a new season there is no doubt the sting from last year’s grand final loss lingers with the Liam Hunt saying the squad is fired up.

“I got a bit of hunger after losing that grandy last year, I’ve lost a bit of weight myself and looking at the other boys we look much more together and much fitter than we were last year heading into the year,” he said.

“I think that’s gonna make a difference, we got some really good pieces with the like of Matt, Shaun Stewart and Ralphy coming back is a big leadership boost.”

“We’ve got some really, really promising talent coming through and I think the most important thing is just to have fun, our goal is going to be playing great basketball, and enjoying each other’s company because who knows when we’ll play together again.”

The Buccs will begin their season on Saturday at 7pm at Activewest Stadium.

Full Squad: 0 Shaun Stewart, 1 Malik Meunier, 2 Dempsey Joseph, 3 Matt Berkec, 4 Harry Evans, 6 Johny Narkle, 8 Robert Greichen, 9 Liam Bennett, 10 Aaron Ralph, 11 Toby Gerreyn, 12 Elliot Bennett, 13 Tomas Dobson, 14 Fletcher Klasztorny, 22 Isaac Gattorna, 23 Mathew Wundenberg, 33 Liam Hunt, 34 Ryan Blanchett, 44 William Galvin