The key decisions and people who shaped the Brisbane Capitals into back-to-back champions
The Brisbane Capitals have risen back to the top of Queensland Basketball with back-to-back championships in the past two years. See what shaped the club’s return to the top.
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Culture changing coaches, legendary player recruitments and bouncing back from the absolute devastation that came from the horror 2010 Brisbane floods.
A lot has happened in the past decade for the Brisbane Capitals but they’re all among the moments, which have shaped the Auchenflower-based club’s return to the top.
The Capitals are now at the top of the food chain heading into the inaugural NBL1 North season this year after winning back-to-back men’s championships in the past two years.
Brisbane snapped a 17-year title drought in 2019, beating the Gold Coast Rollers on their way to the Queensland Basketball League trophy, along the way becoming the first team from the state’s south to win the championship since the Southern Districts Spartans in 2006.
And they followed it up last year, upsetting the RedCity Roar to claim the Queensland State League title in a COVID disrupted year.
But according to the now retired Trevor Lidstone, who was the Capitals general manager from 2013 to 2020, said there were some key people and decisions who led Brisbane back to championship glory.
“The first was post the floods, we were still in recovery mode – securing the business and attending to playing membership were key priorities at the time,” Lidstone said.
“Another key moment was designating the QBL program to (former Brisbane Bullets manager) Joseph Tertzakian and delegating the day to day activity of the QBL program.
“But then one of the biggest decisions was appointing Geoff Tarrant as head coach along with his brother Mick in 2013.”
The Tarrant appointment came as a shock to a lot of people in the Queensland basketball community, given his decades of involvement in the sport without receiving an opportunity to coach in the QBL.
But the decision proved a masterstroke as the Capitals immediately became one of the top teams in the men’s competition, winning several minor premierships, making three grand finals appearances and helping bring in stars such as Dusty Rychart and Aaron Anderson along the way.
“The coaching appointment decision was important because the club was making up the numbers before then,” Lidstone said.
“I believe that the men’s team under the guidance of Geoff and Mick was the most winningest program in the QBL men’s competition during their tenure.
“They helped build a team culture and provided role clarity in relation to their game plan. In my opinion, they were unlucky not to have one or two championships.
“We enjoyed success during the six regular seasons, however we could not close out the finals.
“The securing of some key players, including Dusty Rychart and Aaron Anderson with the addition of a strong group of committed Capitals players that would go on to form the platform for future success.
“It was not an overnight success if took those years to build the culture under Geoff and Mick.”
A change was then on the horizon for the Capitals after the 2018 season when the club advertised the head coaching job after Tarrant’s contract was up for renewal.
Several interesting candidates expressed their interest in coaching Brisbane and the club then chose to appoint Australian basketball and Brisbane Bullets legend Sam Mackinnon after Tarrant withdrew from the process.
“It was a tough decision, a very tough decision and with all programs the ability to retain existing players and attract key players is important for QBL success,” Lidstone said.
In his rookie season at the QBL level, Mackinnon, along with star duo in Bullets guard and now NBA G-League big man Will Magnay, helped the Capitals rise to another level.
Brisbane were clearly the best team all season, losing just one game to finish the regular season in top spot and then dismantling opponents in the playoffs, including a 51-point victory to sweep the Gold Coast in the finals series.
“Sam was fortunate to inherit this group of players and the culture and bring to the club a couple of marquee players Jason and Will plus some other key local talents such as Ben Wilson, Anthony Kopcikas, Zac Carter and guys like that,” Lidstone said.
“It was not just Will and Jason, it was all of the existing players and the new locals that created this winning team.
“Sam had a different style – call it a player’s coach perspective that seemed to focus the team
“This environment led to all players playing for the team. We had a solid hard working core with outstanding rim protection and a classy point guard moving the pieces around the court.
“Winning that championship was indescribable, it was 17 years since the 2002 double. I was very proud to have had a small part in climbing the mountain.
“In part you felt the decision to move to a new coach was validated.”
The Capitals were then preparing to defend their title in the inaugural NBL1 North before disaster struck when the season was cancelled due to a global pandemic.
However, Basketball Queensland still managed to put together a senior elite competition, called the QSL, where the Capitals were without Mackinnon due to his commitments as the Bullets general manager.
But under coach Sean Connelly, Cadee and former Capitals junior and current Perth Wildcat Jarred Bairstow, Brisbane came from third place to upset the minor premiers in the grand final and claim their second consecutive title.
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Cadee put on a show in the decider with 39 points as the Capitals climbed back from a double digit deficit on RedCity’s home court.
“Despite some of the outs we had including Ben Volkman, Zac Carter and Cameron Goldfinch towards the end of the season, the victory emphasised the importance and stability of the core group, albeit there were some young players,” Lidstone said.
“The young players had the benefit of being around the team culture.”
Lidstone then decided to retire and step away from his role as the club’s general manager in December last year and while reflecting on his eight years at the helm, said he was very proud to be part of the Capitals’ return to the top.
“I’m very proud of the years and grateful to the members, families and volunteers that provided their support,” he said.
“Thankful to the players that backed the association and bought in to both Geoff, Mick and Sam’s systems.
“I also must acknowledge the loyalty of the players that remained attached to form that solid core group of players.
“I think it was a special time.”
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