Big V Division 1 Men: Clubs prepare to fight it out for the title
The Big V Division 1 season is just days away from getting started with plenty of Victorian basketball stars set to be on display. Here’s how each club is shaping up.
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Big V Basketball is back in a big way this weekend.
There’s set to be plenty of stars on show in the Division 1 men’s competition as the sides look to bring Keysborough, who was undefeated in 2021, back to the pack.
RMIT has moved into the second tier as it seeks a higher level of competition and is expected to cause opposition teams plenty of headaches.
Here’s how each team is shaping up.
Bellarine Storm
The Storm enter the 2022 season with high expectations after impressing last year. They finished with 12 wins and six losses to sit in third position when play was stopped by further Covid restrictions. Luke Beauglehall will coach the side with Leigh Allan named as his assistant coach.
What the club said: “We’re most excited about the season being here and actually happening. In the off-season we’ve added some key pieces who we think will be able to help us take the next step. We had a focus on strengthening our shooting and back up four which I think we’ve been able to do. Lewis (Varley) and Jason (Reardon) are two veteran presences we can rely on with a fantastic young nucleus around them.” – Coach Luke Beauglehall
Roster: Jason Reardon, Rohan Jarvie, Max Kos, Jye Boyle, Lewis Varley, Nathan Gronbeck, Seb Thomason, Jesse Burn, Leigh Saffin, Marko Vekic.
Bulleen
The Boomers signalled their intent to again be one of the best teams in the competition with the signing of American forward Malik Prince-Martin. He is set to compliment the local players as Bulleen aims to move up the ladder after finishing with nine wins and eight losses last season.
Coburg
After winning three games from 17 last season, the Giants are aiming to work their way up the ladder and cause a few upsets along the way. There is plenty of excitement around the club heading into the new season after a successful family day drew a large crowd earlier this month. The Giants will also have several fresh faces in their line up.
What the club said: “We try not to have expectations or goals but we always want to give ourselves the opportunity to win as many games as we can and see where that takes us. We’ve had an okay pre-season so far but I think our form is really starting to pick up on the eve of the season. I want the boys to play an aggressive, penetrating offence where we can get inside and to get the basket before we sit back and try to shoot threes all game.” — Coach Mark Whitehead.
Collingwood
Despite finishing third last on the ladder in 2021, the All Stars have plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into the new season. Collingwood will soon get a feel for where they’ll sit in the 2022 competition with games against Bulleen (home) and Shepparton (away) in the opening two rounds.
What the club said: “This team has been together for a while and there’s no reason they can’t take the next step and challenge for a title or playoff position. We’re all really excited about what’s ahead for our guys. They’ll play an up and down style which should be very exciting to watch.” - Director of coaching Manny Hendrix
Corio Bay
After an impressive 2021 season, the Stingrays will be hopeful of taking another step forward this year. Geelong stalwart Paul Hutchinson will coach the team for a fifth season with the club having retained most of its core group.
Keysborough
The Cougars will be one of the hungriest teams throughout the season after the disappointment of a cancelled year in 2021. At that stage, they were undefeated and sat on top of the Division 1 ladder. With that in mind, there’s no reason they can’t compete for another championship in 2022.
What the club said: “We feel that we’re in the window to compete for a Championship this season. We’re coming off the back of an undefeated 2021 which was unfortunately lost to Covid. We’re excited by our import Gerrard Newbury who is returning to the club after playing in 2018. He’s a long athletic, defensive wing who should be really exciting to watch.” — Coach Nathan Vogt
Melbourne University
The only way is up for a Melbourne University side who failed to win a game in 16 attempts last season. Melbourne will have several young guns in the side including John Furphy who was recently selected in the Victorian under 20 navy side for the upcoming national championships. Shawn King, the former coach of Hawthorn’s Championship men’s team, will be a first year coach.
What the club said: “I’m really excited about what’s ahead. We’ve got some new faces including myself but I think we’ve bonded really well throughout the pre-season. We’re going to aim to move the ball quickly and then back that up with good defence. We’ve put together a squad of 15 players which will help provide us with cover for a number of issues along the way. It’s going to be different for me in Division 1 and we’re going to take each game as it comes.”
RMIT
The new kids on the block in Division 1 basketball. Despite making the step up into a higher division, RMIT is looking to make its mark and challenge the best teams on a weekly basis. Import Steve Coffey will play a big role in his team’s hopes this season.
What the club said: “We want to be one of the best teams in the competition. That’s how we train and it’s how we want to play on game day. It’s been an up and down pre-season but we’re excited about getting everything underway. Steve Coffey is a well experienced import and we’re excited to see what he can bring to the team. He puts us on another level when he plays the role of a true point guard and facilitates the ball to his teammates.” – Coach Oliver Reid
Shepparton
The Gators finished middle of the road last season just below some of the best teams in the Division 1 competition. Garrett Jefferson has signed on as one of the Gators’ imports having originally been recruited to the club in 2020. Jefferson is considered to be an elite defensive talent who should cause plenty of trouble for opposition offences. There is also plenty of local talent on the Shepparton roster.
Roster: Matt Bartlett, Matt Andronicos, Gabe Evans, Sam Beks, Ian Wright, Dylan Wilkie, Garrett Jefferson, Jordan Michel, Tommy Frame, Jack Whitlock, Matt Whitlock.
Southern Peninsula
The Sharks were sitting in fifth place before the 2021 season was cancelled with a positive record of nine wins and eight losses. There are several impressive players on the club’s roster including coach Matt Brasser. Young gun Corey Hastings, who is a Victorian representative, could be one of the best up-and coming players in the entire Big V competition.
Warrandyte
The Venom were one of several teams involved in the crowded part of the ladder last season and like so many others will be keen to break free from the back this season. With Camberwell making the step into the Championship division, there is definitely a place for a team including Warrandyte to establish themselves as one of the sides to beat in 2022.
Warrnambool
The Seahawks were an even split last year finishing with eight wins and eight losses to make them a Division 1 middle of the road team. But the acquisition of Sam Byron is set to play a big role in helping the club move up the ladder. Nathan Hardingham will also wear Seahawks colours fresh off an outstanding season in the Country Basketball League with Portland.
Roster: Alex Gynes, Jarra Blackney-Noter, Liam Osborne, Sam Byron, Benson Steere, James Mitchell, Tim Gainey, Adam Lawson, Ben Walters, Riley Nicolson, Nathan Hardingham, Ollie Bidmade, Wil Rantall, Ash Keen, Amon Radley, Finn Hayes Josh Dyson.
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