QBL Men’s Coaching Transactions
There has been significant movement in terms of coaches. Pero Cameron will make his QBL debut as head coach of Gold Coast while Derek Rucker moved from Gladstone to Logan. Newcomers Sunshine Coast Rip have yet to announce a coach while same applies to Gladstone. Basketball Expressions takes a look at the new coaches and the situation they are in.
Gold Coast Rollers: Pero Cameron replaces Doug Garvie
The Skinny: How Doug Garvie managed to get two full season with the Rollers is beyond my comprehension. Gold Coast struggle to be competitive and were outplayed and outcoached all throughout the 2015 season. Former New Zealand standout Pero Cameron come in with a wealth of international experience as a player and as a coach. What would Cameron have to do: Basically a complete overhaul of the team. The Roller lacked any steady veteran leadership and they could have been more competitive in 2015 had Garvie accepted the likes of Adam Darragh and Scott McGregor in his roster. While both McGregor and Darragh have lost a step of two they could contribute in bursts. Expect Cameron to get better imports, while Devon Sullivan had his moments, Travis Derockowski was atrocious and was cut midway through the season. One thing that Gold Coast has struggled in recent years that is the right combination of veterans and youth; Cameron would need to address that.
How you expect things to unfold: Getting a person with international credentials would require Gold Coast to fork out money for players. Whether they have the capacity or are willing to do so it’s a complete different matter. In the case they can’t/won’t, Gold Coast still has a lot of local talent to work around and if
Cameron can instil a better team culture, it’s not inconceivable that Gold Coast return to the playoffs in 2016.
Logan Thunder: Derek Rucker replaces Ben Johnson
The Skinny: Rucker is a certain upgrade over Ben Johnson, who despite his coaching credentials gifted with strong rosters, missed out from the postseason with Northside and Logan in consecutive years. Rucker managed to rejuvenate Gladstone from last place in 2014 to coming within a shot of making the grand final series in 2015.
What would Rucker have to do: Rucker is a strong personality that would want to do things his way by bringing his players from out of town, as evident with the signing of Michael Cedar. While that work on Gladstone who frankly don’t have any local players on that QBL level, Logan is a different situation. The Thunder brought a lot of their former ex juniors in the return season to QBL and you would think that management would want that to continue that in 2016. Questions will arise such as do you bring two imports or do you sacrifice one for Mitch Young. How you expect things to unfold: The key will be the relationship between management and coaching. A system with people responsible for the QBL program and also a part of the team roster can’t work in practice. If Rucker is allowed to do his thing, with recruiting, knowledge of the game and local talent available Logan can be one of the league favourites; if not it could make for interesting reading
South West Metro Pirates: Nate Tate replaces Luke Petersen
The Skinny: With incumbent coach Luke Petersen takes a break from coaching, former Townsville Heat player Nate Tate take his place in the hot seat. Tate first foray into QBL coaching will be supported by current Boomers assistant coach Mick Downer. What would Tate have to do: South West had a lot of roster issues in 2015; Jono Mines didn’t even get to play a minute, import Ryan Stephan was underutilised and ended up pulling out midway through the season due to injury, while the team struggled with their bench production. If Tate/Downer can sort out the bench get some decent bigs, get consistency and production from their young guards and maybe a good unrestricted player (Brendan Teys would be a coup if his listed as unrestricted) they could return to the playoffs. How you expect things to unfold: Tate is a rookie head coach and while Downer is a technical advisor, being an Olympic year it will impact Downer on court influence. But if they can get two decent imports and get some consistence from the bench, they should challenge for a playoff spot
Sunshine Coast Phoenix*: Warrick Meehl replaces Brad Melton * During the offseason the Maroochydore, Caboolture and Noosa associations amalgamated into the Sunshine Coast Phoenix. Phoenix replace the Suncoast Clippers in the QBL
The Skinny: Meehl returns back after one year in hiatus after the Brad Melton fiasco of a season which turned Suncoast Clippers into the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the league; great performances one game horrible the next.
What would Meehl have to do: Meehl gives them a familiar person that has a coaching technique that suits the particular playing style of their successful former junior players. Getting players like Zane Meehl and targeting guys like Scott Kenny would give them even more firepower in the shooting. If they can get those to players it could free the import spots for defensive minded bigs, an area they could use some help. How you expect things to unfold: With Northside gone it open up a bit the playoff situation for the Phoenix, still have to contend a resurging Thunder team. If they could get the likes of Kenny it would be an immediate impact. They are likely to get competition from new crosstown rivals USC Rip for players, but having Meehl back would make the Phoenix a more attractive option.
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