What’s the hold up? Why new Gold Coast NBL franchise could be delayed

In a perfect world the NBL would have announced it’s newest franchise on the Gold Coast during the pre-season Blitz. But hopes the new team will enter next season are fading fast.

It’s no secret the NBL would have loved to have announced the new Gold Coast franchise as the league’s 11th club at this week’s pre-season Blitz tournament, hosted by the city.

But behind the scenes politicking continues to hold things up as the NBL, Gold Coast City Council and State Government jostle over the plan.

As the Brisbane Bullets and Tasmania JackJumpers tipped of the Blitz at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium on Saturday night, Code Sports can reveal the ongoing argy bargy could well dash the hopes of the NBL and a group of supportive Gold Coast councillors pushing for the new franchise to be signed, sealed and delivered for NBL26.

There is still hope, but the league needs swift co-operation from both levels of government, otherwise the more likely scenario is the new Gold Coast team won’t take the court until NBL27.

Social media banter during the week suggested the league had trademarked Gold Coast Blaze — the same moniker used by the last NBL club to play on the Goldie, which dissolved in 2012.

But a source told Code Sports the Blaze isn’t a name on the NBL’s list of options and it had not registered it as a trademark.

MELBOURNE 94-87 CAIRNS: EARLY OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED FOR UNITED

Beating Cairns was high on Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman’s to-do list following the club’s in-depth review of NBL24.

It was something they failed to do in three tries last campaign, despite finishing on top of the league, nearly 40 per cent of the club’s eight regular season losses.

The season proper is yet to tip off, but they’ve ticked off an achievement in their first game at the Blitz.

It didn’t come easy, the Taipans tied it at 83 with four minutes to go, before United flexed it’s muscle with an 11-4 sprint home to kill off the contest, 94-87.

Ian Clark paced United with a sneaky 16 points, while Chris Goulding’s perfect 7-7 from the free throw line propped up a 3-13 shooting night for 15 and big Rob Loe showed how vital he’ll be to this United squad with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Chris Goulding of United shoots during the 2024 NBL Blitz. Picture: Getty Images

SHHH! TAIPAN TRIO NO LONGER A SECRET

A first look at the Taipans’ import trio of new imports gave a glimpse of what might be in store for the season.

Strong-armed guard Rob Edwards looked most impressive, doing his best work busting into the teeth of the United defence, squaring off against United’s elite defensive pair Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili.

He had a game-high 24 points and is going to be a handful for opponents this season.

Tanner Groves is big and strong, likes to throw his weight around and looks to knock down from deep when his feet are set.

He twice fouled Goulding on three-point attempts — he’ll learn quickly not to land in the premier shooter’s space.

Pedro Bradshaw did his best work on the glass and at the free throw line. His is a unique, distinctive style, bouncing and bobbing around the court.

Each produced 15 points and eight rebounds, combining for seven assists and four steals.

The Taipans might just have the most dangerous core of three-point-shooting bigs in the league.

Sam Waardenburg, Kyrin Galloway, AK Gak and Groves are all mammoths and can all stroke it from deep. Leave them open at your peril.

HIGH-WHITE REEL

Returning favourite Jack White gave fans inside the modest Cararra Indoor Sports Centre a glimpse of what he might deliver in his return to the club.

An incredible athlete, White stunned the crowd with a pair of first half alley-oop jams, soaring from out of nowhere to catch and cram.

White’s that athletic he bit at a Jonah Antonio fake, flying past the Taipans’ marksman, but still had the fast-twitch energy to recover, bounce back and swat away the guard’s deep try.

He finished with 14 points — including the sealer — to go with seven boards.

Jack White competes for the ball. Picture: Getty Images

HOOPS ROYALTY

The legends were out to play on night one of the Blitz.

Courtside throughout the night, a who’s who of the NBL’s greatest players dotted the stadium.

There was legendary pioneer Cal Bruton, the Black Pearl decked head to toe in Jordan gear.

The first Australian to win the NBL’s MVP award, Ray Borner remains a giant figure. He spent the night in conversation with three-time Brisbane Bullets champion Rob Sibley, no doubt throwing in the odd story of representing Australia at four Olympic Games.

Bruce Bolden used to dunk on everyone for the South East Melbourne Magic and Sydney Kings — now he watches his son Jonah do it, last year in Sydney, this time, for New Zealand.

Andre Moore is one of the most active former Brisbane players on social media, regularly posting in the Bullets Facebook fan group.

And then there was Derek Rucker, a former MVP and scoring champion, first up in the commentary box, then at courtside.

BRISBANE 89-76 TASMANIA: BULLETS DRAW FIRST BLOOD V CHAMPS

TY DOLLAR SIGN

After years of injury struggles, Brisbane’s Kiwi big man Tyrell Harrison showed he can be a consistent starting centre in the NBL. But that might have just been scratching the surface. Harrison looks to have made another leap, showing out in the Bullets’ pre-season friendlies and dominating the early exchanges of their Blitz clash with Tasmania. Harrison had eight points, two rebounds, a steal and a block in just six first-quarter minutes. Out of contract at season’s end and still only 25, Harrison is entering his prime and there will be plenty of opposition recruiters’ eyes on his progress this season.

Casey Prather gets up for the yam. Picture: Getty Images

STILL PLENTY TO GIVE

There’s a feeling around the league Casey Prather, a three-time NBL champion, might struggle to make an impact due to the devastating injuries he has dealt with throughout his career. He didn’t take the floor in any of the Bullets’ pre-season games, so it was heartening to see the American back out there and looking effective on night one of the Blitz with 14 points. The veteran Bullets’ star even got out on the break and whacked one down at the end of the third quarter to show he’s still got some serious lift in those 33-year-old legs.

JACKIE JORD STILL ON FIRE

Tassie’s game-five grand final hero Jordon Crawford picked up where he left off, exploding for 12 first-half points in the JackJumpers’ Blitz opener. It could have been 15, had he released the incredible underhanded circus shot from outside the three-point line that almost touched the roof of the Carrara Indoor Sports Centre and fell through the hoop at the end of the first half. The decision to wave it off on review wasn’t a popular one, with JackJumpers’ tall Majok Deng giving it the thumbs down — with a big smile, of course. Crawford famously exploded with 27 first-half points in the JackJumpers’ grand final decider with Melbourne United.

Originally published as What’s the hold up? Why new Gold Coast NBL franchise could be delayed