Hobart Chargers’ coaches place lofty goals on squads following import signings

The latest NBL1 import signings for the Hobart Chargers have both coaches’ confident their sides can push for finals.

New Hobart Chargers recruit and New Zealand international player, Zoe Richards. Picture: roshysportfolio

Both the Hobart Chargers male and female coaches have placed lofty goals on their squads for this NBL1 season, believing they both have the talent to feature in the playoffs.

With the season set to kick off later this month, both male coach Anthony Stewart and female coach Dwain Davie believe their sides can take the next step after both narrowly missed out on finals last year.

Hobart Chargers women’s coach Dwain Davie believes his side can make finals this season after a strong showing in 2023. Picture James Bresnehan

Davie, who also announced the signing of import Zoe Richards on Monday, said he was confident they could continue to balance development and winning after a much improved season last year.

“It’s the third year of that building process and we were a little bit disappointed with how the season finished (last year),” Davie said.

“We really thought we could make the finals and do some damage there, so we are really aiming to push into that finals bracket this year but again keeping an eye on the development side of it and finishing that rebuilding plan.

“But you can do both at the same time and be successful. So I’m pushing the girls to aim high but not putting a ceiling or floor on it as to where we will finish at this stage.”

With his side finishing equal fifth last season, Stewart was also confident they could make the jump following the signing of Terrell Brown from the United States and the return of Ole Angerstein from injury.

“I didn’t expect to get anywhere near where we did last year,” Stewart said.

“We finished equal fifth and got knocked out on the head-to-head win loss column, so this year would be about making the playoffs with this young group and I’m quietly confident with what we have coming in that we will be able to do that, or get close.”

Hobart Chargers NBL1 coach Anthony Stewart. Picture James Bresnehan

New Zealand forward Richards comes to the Chargers with plenty of international experience with Davie explaining her recruitment filled a clear need for his side.

“She comes to us filling a need in terms of size and athleticism in that forward position,” he said.

“What we have really lacked over the last couple of years is that really tall athletic player to match up on the other team’s best athletes, so she is coming in to fill that void and give Kayla (Steindl) a bit of support on the boards.”

Brown is also set to add some scoring power to Stewart’s side, recruited to replace Sam McDaniel, with both sides also confident of adding another import in the next few weeks.

Stewart also confirmed on Monday that Jacob Richards would be the only Tasmania JackJumpers player on the Chargers list this season but that the club was in discussions with the organisation around adding another for the opening few games before Brown arrives.