Trevor Jackson
The Mount Gambier Pioneers women’s coach Matt Sutton has come away from the Millicent Four-Team Challenge with some confidence his new roster is on track for the upcoming NBL1 season.
While short on numbers, with several players still involved in WNBL competition, Sutton said he was able to run some younger players to see how they slotted into the roster.
“We are happy,” he said.
“It was a good opportunity to play the young kids we have been training with since October, to put some time into them.
“It was pleasing to give them the opportunity to play within our structure and a good chance for Izza (Isabell Brancatisano), Imogen (Rock) and Haliegh (Reinoehl) to get some court time, as well as Keryl (Ousey).”
Sutton said the weekend gave him plenty to think about and focus on with the development of the roster.
Training as a squad has been limited so far, with Brancatisano, Rock, Reinoehl and Cassandra Brown arriving just last weekend, with Miela Goodchild and Zitina Aokuso still to come in once their WNBL commitments are finished.
“The young crew have been training and putting in the hard work since October to help them with their basketball,” Sutton said.
“It was nice to see them play.
“Now we have two games in Melbourne for the Blitz before the season starts.”
The depth of the side has improved since last year, where the women impressed as they competed in the playoffs.
However, Sutton said he is not becoming caught up in any hype surrounding that success.
“Last year was a good year and we are learning from thatr, not comparing ourselves to it,” he said.
“This year is pretty exciting with some of the names we have.
“Now we have to see how it blends at training, through the pre-season games and how we go incorporating people coming in later than normal.”
Despite their success last year and the names in the roster this season, Sutton said he did not expect any extra focus on his side than would normally be the case.
“I don’t know how other teams will perceive us,” he said.
“We didn’t win the whole thing so we will see how teams approach us.
“We just expect everyone’s best.”
