QBL Men Season Preview - Townsville Heat
2015 Season 2015 W/L: 8-8 (2014 W/L: 6-10)
Missed Playoffs Coaching Staff Head Coach: Rod Anderson (2nd Year) Roster Transactions In: Josh Wilcher, Mirko Djeric, Undisclosed Player*, Brady Rutland Out: Mitch Norton, Corban Wroe, Keegan Tudehope, Chris Kann * Team makes announcement on Thursday, April 21 Projected Starters: Josh Wilcher, Mirko Djeric, Undisclosed, Tom Howard, Matthew Rees Key Bench: Brendan McCully, Jackson Todd, Max Murray, Luke Brennan
Key Gains
Mirko Djeric: Djeric returns back to the Heat, after a season in the Waratah League. Djeric should help Townsville with the loss of Mitch Norton. One of the top shooters in the league Josh Wilcher: Wilcher has vast experience playing in SEABL and overseas in England for Plymouth Raiders. While Wilcher is undersize for a point guard, he is quick and a capable all round performer.
Key Losses Mitch Norton: Local talent Norton is spending his offseason in the Boomers setup and will miss the 2016 QBL season. It’s a huge blow for the Heat, who have depended a lot on Norton as their premium ballhandler and scorer over the past few years. Corban Wroe: Wroe come midway through the season, but his defensive prowess stood out, forming a potent backcourt combination with Norton. Currently playing the WA SBL.
Position by Position Analysis
Guard: Djeric and Wilcher form a brand new backcourt. While is a downgrade from Norton/Wroe, I believe they are not far off. Brendan McCully is still around providing veteran leadership and one out of Ware or Todd should have a breakout season. Forward: Heat have signed an undisclosed former NBL wing, who’s experience and leadership is likely to help a young Townsville outfit. For the meantime I expect Anderson to go with ex Crocs development player Tom Howard and rising star Harry Froling. Froling isn’t expect to play many game so expect either the undisclosed player or Luke Brennan to slot in the forward spot once Froling leaves.
Centre: One of the best centre combinations in the league. Matt Rees has been a reliable centre in this league for several years and has been an important clog into the Heat’s defence. Brennan is an efficient big that is more suited as an off the bench sparkplug.
What does the future for Heat hold now that Crocs are gone from the NBL?
Heat always depended on Crocs plays for restricted players and while they have secured Djeric for the 2016 season, there are question what direction Heat will go in 2017. There are plenty of question like can the association afford to pay for imports, will they be able to attract unrestricted interstate players. They have a decent core of local players and a strong junior association so they will be competitive in this league whether they can win another championship that is a complete different kettle of fish.
What does Townsville have to do to get into the playoffs Djeric has to play at All QBL team level and carry the team offensively. Team offence needs to improve without sacrificing team defence. Another solid coaching effort from Anderson. Better bench play from the Heat.
How Townsville misses out of the playoffs
Djeric has to cut his season short due to NBL commitments. Team struggles to replace Mitch Norton on the offensive end of things. Bench struggles to produce
