Big names, fantastic regular season record and racism scandal make up Salties 2024 campaign

It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Darwin Salties mens side in their NBL1 North campaign. Recap the major talking points here.

The Darwin Salties ahead of their first ever NBL1 North home semi-final. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Darwin Salties mens side in their NBL1 North campaign.

A side that was dominant through stretches, fought their way into second place on the ladder and played an entertaining brand of basketball will have a bitter taste in the mouths after a very poor semi-final showing.

POST-MORTEM – SEASON 2024

GOOD

Regular season success

Season 2024 was the side’s best campaign to date. Finishing out their 17 games with a 13 and 4 record, they were good enough on points difference to secure the second overall position, in the 14 team competition. Their run on the road was the most impressive part of their season, with just the single loss to the Capitals in Brisbane.

2024 – finished 2nd (17 games) 13 wins, 4 losses

Home record: 6 wins 3 losses

Away record: 7 wins 1 loss

2023 – finished 7th (19 games) 10 wins, 9 losses

Home record: 8 wins 1 loss

Away record: 2 wins 8 losses

2022 – finished 6th, (19 games) 11 wins, 8 losses

Home record, 7 wins 3 losses

Away record, 4 wins 5 losses

Home final

Overall the season was a major success for the team with the men securing their maiden home final. While the end result wasn’t what they wanted, they fulfilled their pre-season goal of a home final.

Big names

The franchise was able to bring in and retain some big names this season. Current NBL players Sean Macdonald, Kouat Noi, Makuach Maluach, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk were all marquee signings with ex-NBL players Nathan Jawai and Deba George also in the squad.

The Darwin Salties. Picture: Jack Riddiford.

BAD

Lack of local talent

With just the two NT players the side really lacked a local flavour. Moving forward, the team need to put a greater emphasis on giving opportunities to NT ballers.

Bench involvement

With big names players comes the expectation that they will carry the team. However, bench involvement is equally as important especially in the post season. While the role players definitely contributed to the side’s successes through the regular season, in the semi they had little to no impact.

UGLY

76-103

Nothing more needs to be said that hasn’t been already. The team were 40 minutes away from contesting the title. They ended up putting together arguably their worst performance of the season in what head coach Matt Flinn could only describe as ‘disappointing’.

Jawai racism incident

An alleged incident of racial abuse against former Boomer, NBA player and NBL champion Nathan Jawai tainted the end to what was a storeyed career.