‘They have a voice’: Key leadership changes made as Boomers sense power shift between old and new

After a disappointing World Cup campaign, Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has addressed the ‘power shift’ within the team with a new look leadership group ahead of the Paris Games.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Patty Mills and Josh Giddey of Australia react during the match between the Australia Boomers and Brazil at Rod Laver Arena on August 16, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says key changes to the leadership group have helped his squad address a “power shift” between the young and old and it won’t be a problem at the Paris Olympics.

Change is never easy and Goorjian concedes this was the case for Australia during last year’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

The Boomers introduced seven new players at the Cup, including rising guard Josh Giddey, who Goorjian anointed as the team’s go-to player.

Giddey’s ramped up role as Australia’s main ball handler gave Australia a new blueprint to the one previously ran through veteran guard Patty Mills.

Josh Giddey has been brought into the Boomers’ leadership group. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Goorjian admits the adjustment blending the old and the new wasn’t smooth at the World Cup, but he has added three young players in Jock Landale, Dante Exum and Giddey to the leadership group in a bid to create more cohesion in Paris.

“We’ve got young guys involved in the leadership group so they have a voice,” Goorjian said.

“There was some stuff there (with the new and old players) and it has been addressed. We’ve come out of there and we’re working on it.

“It’s basketball and at the World Cup we introduced seven new guys and there was a power shift with the young and the old.”

Goorjian says his leadership group change has already resulted in positive change.

He revealed players are in regular talks about next month’s Olympics, while a recent team camp in Los Angeles was hugely positive and beneficial.

The likes of Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Duop Reath and Xavier Cooks weren’t at the camp due to commitments in Australia, but Goorjian said the rest of the squad put together a productive week.

“The guys are communicating and talking more,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of calls back from the drop in centre (in LA) saying it was really good.

“Like everything, it’s a process. It’s why I went over and met with all our NBA players in the US late last year. We’ve also had quite a few leadership zooms and talks since.

“Change and expectation is difficult, but especially change and we’re going through that.”

The Boomers players will arrive in Melbourne late next week for the team’s pre-Games camp and warm-up games against China.

Goorjian faces a tough task to reduce Australia’s 17-man squad down to 12 for Paris given the quality players on the team’s roster.

He has made a purposeful decision to include competitive players in the camp like Matthew Dellavedova, Jack White and Will Magnay.

Boomers coach Brian Goojian has put every player on notice ahead of Paris. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Goorjian has put every player on notice, contacting each guy personally to tell them to prepare for a “battle” in camp.

“There are going to be some hard decisions and you need to come in ready,” he said.

“I’m going to pick the guys who are playing the best together.

“Reputations, how long or how little isn’t in my mind.

“Our team is going through change and I’ve got open eyes and it’s about the players that mesh together the best.

“There is no hiding that the forward position is really competitive.’

“When you put all the names out, someone has to drop off the tree and that’s why the camp and the warm-up games are important.”

Originally published as ‘They have a voice’: Key leadership changes made as Boomers sense power shift between old and new