Bogut clone Dane Pineau will make mark in league, says SEM Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell

Dane Pineau will be handed the big job to contain Brisbane Bullets giant Matt Hodgson in SEM Phoenix’s inaugural home stand at Melbourne Arena, but coach Simon Mitchell says the big man will take it in his stride.

Dane Pineau in action against Melbourne United. Picture: Michael Klein.

SEM Phoenix will rely on emerging big man Dane Pineau to contain Brisbane Bullets giant Matt Hodgson in the club’s inaugural home stand at Melbourne Arena on Sunday.

After spending the past two seasons in Sydney as Andrew Bogut’s understudy and contentious stand-in at last year’s NBL awards night, Pineau put in an eye-catching Phoenix pre-season.

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Coach Simon Mitchell, who tracked Pineau’s career closely, rushed to sign the 25-year-old.

“He didn’t get too many opportunities to show just how good he is up there (Sydney),” Mitchell said.

“I think he’s going to shock a few people and they’ll be scratching their head why he didn’t play in Sydney.”

Dane Pineau has put in an eye-catching Phoenix pre-season.

The 206cm centre has been described as “relentless”.

Despite not hitting the scoreboard last week against Melbourne United, the 206cm centre pulled down seven important rebounds, including three at the offensive end.

“He’s relentless, just constant motion, really hard to box out and he’s got great length,” Mitchell said.

“He runs the floor super hard, I just think he’s got a good role set up for him here … I think he’s going to have a bit of a stage this year to show everyone what he’s capable of.”

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Pineau was caught in the crossfire of a Bogut prank last year, stepping up in place of the Australian NBA icon to accept the NBL defensive player of the year award.

“I’m never going to let him live it down,” Mitchell laughed.

“If he can follow Bogut and pick up a defensive player of the year award I might let it go — not his greatest moment.”

Dane Pineau has been in great form leading into the new season.