QBL Mens Rumors and Transactions
82 Days until the start of QBL, and the majority of teams are starting their offseason practices, signings and the various rumours are running riot. Basketball Expression breaks it down for each team. Brisbane: Nothing new to report from the 2015 runners up, with the majority of their team returning back at training. I have heard that the team in interested in bringing back import Aaron Anderson.
Bundaberg: Nothing much here with Willie Shackleford set to return to his stomping grounds. Expect them to announce an import soon, and the majority of team to compromise of local youngsters.
Cairns: A lot depends on the which Taipans players are sent to the Marlins team, but the signs are this year Marlins team will be a lot different. They have already suffered huge loss especially upfront with Matt Andronicos (Bendigo) and Matt Smith (retired) gone. Taipans development player Will Sinclair has signed with Kilsyth, thus unavailable for the Marlins. Corey Maynard, Nathan Sobey have left the Taipans and Shaun Bruce is unlikely to join the Marlins.
Gladstone: The team is yet to announce a coach, following the departure of Derek Rucker. Jake Allen is the only one confirmed to return in 2016 with announcements of imports and players set to happen in the coming weeks.
Gold Coast: The word out of the Coast is that Pero Cameron is already starting to make a difference with veteran players like Adam Darragh, Scott McGregor, Jason Aucoin, and Dwayne Vale showing up for preseason trainings alongside youngster Jayden Tom.
Logan: Rucker has hit the ground running with Mick Cedar signed and former Gladstone import Justin Baker set to join him. Despite the signed there are rumours or several retirements in the likes of Steve Broom and Heath Gameren.
Ipswich: The Force are bringing most of their players back in imports James Legan and Kyle Harvey while Jason Ralph is expected to return (in Ralph case he would miss a couple of weeks). Mick Conlon has signed former Northside Wizards player Jaryd Eustace to essentially replace Zarryon Fereti who has retired .
Mackay: The defending champions have lost a key part in head coach Joel Khalu. How that affects the makeup of the roster is still up in the air. Tyson Demos is unlikely to return due to an injury he sustained while playing in the NBL, while key 6th man Matthew Adekponya has left the club. Uncertain is the status of restricted players Clint Steindl and Braydon Hobbs.
Rockhampton: The Rockets are starting their revamp of their roster, following the retirement of Brad Williamson. Both imports Chehales Tapscott and Dominic Cheek have left the team as well as centre Brent Wallace who’s rumoured to have signed for the Brisbane Spartans. Former NBL player Auryn McMillan has signed for the upcoming season, while rumours are that former Rocket import Ray Turner is close to returning back. Chris Kann has return back to his former junior club. Sunshine Coast Phoenix: The presence of Warrick Meehl should change the dynamics of the Phoenix. The Phoenix who are ‘taking over’ the Suncoast Clippers spot will not have imports Eren Moses or Mike Stone. Darren Best is set to return from last year’s team and u would expect guys like Josh Walters and Nelson Kahler to be back.
Sunshine Coast Rip: The Rip have hit the ground running with players like Rory Sutton, Louis Ilton rumoured to head to the team. They have been trying to get Shaun Gleeson, however I also have heard the Rockhampton is in pursuit of his services. The Rip have a number of former Maroochydore players in SBL team last season and that should give them some sort of veteran presence as the make their inaugural debut in the QBL.
South West: Captain Ryan Vines is rumoured to have left the club and is set to join the Brisbane Spartans. Both imports Ishmael Hollis (Frankston) and Ryan Stephen (finishing college) are not returning. Former SMW standout Brandan Teys could be returning if he is unrestricted, Jarred Bairstow is expected to return and there is rumoured that Tommy Ammar might return. Former Northside big Alex Boardman could join them giving them some need bigs.
Toowoomba: current league MVP Jeremy Kendle has left for SEABL outfit Bendigo with the Mountaineers replacing him with fellow Bellarmine alumni Chris Whitehead. Erron Maxey resign with the Mountaineers while veteran journeyman Aron Pantano joins Toowoomba. Despite the additions, the Mountaineers have lost key players like Stephen Kluck and Glenn Reimann to retirement and Aaron Howard has left for overseas.
Townsville: A similar situation to the Marlins as in the Heat are dependent on the Crocodiles player’s availability. The only difference is that Heat haven’t lost as many unrestricted players as the Marlins have. Mitch Norton and possibly Corban Wroe are not returning to the Heat, while Chris Kann is joining Rockhampton. The majority of the front court (Matt Rees, Luke Brennan, Tom Howard) is back.
