Hoops

Who will be the team to beat this season

haha

Breakers and Wildcats still lead the pack but both have question marks:

- Can Pledger and Abercrombie do enough to cover the big loss of Wilkinson?
- Can Matt Knight stay healthy and does Redhage still have another dominant season in him?

On paper the Sixers are right there with the top two, but I think the jury is still out on the coach (Weigh's big pre-season minutes not a good signal) so I'll leave them a notch below.

The Hawks are looking solid again and could also sneak into the top four, primarily due to Cairns and Townsville taking a step backwards in the off-season.

Sydney an outside chance to make the top 4 if their imports are good, but could struggle with a lack of frontcourt size.

Melbourne: stone cold last unless a couple of their young Aussies like Walker, Rush or Goulding suddenly find it within themselves to become star players!

Abercrombie will have a mental barrier to overcome no doubt but he is surrounded by a great core of experienced players who have all, been there, done that.
Cory Webster>BJ Anthony
Gary Wilkinson>Will Hudson

except Hudson is coming off the bench for Pledger who I believe deserves the opportunity where Wilkinson started and was expected to put up points. Hudson is expected to inject energy, run the court, drag down rebounds and defend. Breakers have Bruton, Corletto, Webster, Abercrombie and to a lesser degree Leon Henry capable of knocking down the outside shot, happy for Hudson to crash the boards.
Cedric Jackson is still one of the best players in the league and won't have the ankle niggle (hopefully)

I feel confident in the personal with their chances of a 3peat, won't be a walk in the park by any stretch! Perth will still be tough as hell, Adelaide have assembled their best team in years, Hawks will be better, Cairns and Townsville won't lay down for anyone and I'm sure Melbourne and Sydney will steal a few wins if not shown respect. Chemistry, consistency and depth (although some of that depth could be negated by injuries to older players) will hopefully get them over the line.

Either way I think this season will be exciting and we will see some great games played out, really looking forward to seeing how the Sixers are going to go.

NZ might be vulnerable with WIlkinson gone, but might as difficult to beat as it is removing a senator facing criminal charges.

Corletto: Handy on any roster
Jackson: Say no more
Abercrombie: The player we hope Creek will be
Vukono: Imports of cement dropped when he left Fiji, mum gave him spoons of the stuff each day. No harder player in the league.
Bruton: Probably the oldest dude playing, but his experience counts
Hudson: Wilkinson's replacement. Has broad shoulders.

Pledger: 215 cm, but I am told he can lift heavy things

Woolongong and Perth! No one thinks that Woolongong will win but I think they have a good chance.

I'll call them a Championship team when they win the Championship.

Taipans anyone?

Sure they will have to prove themselves, but if they are winning, how long will it take people to call them a championship team?

Perth and NZ will be there. pressure on the 36ers, if they fail to be there with NZ and Perth with their lineup. I dont see the crocs or taipans doing much, neither hawks or kings. tigers look better but still not in the league of NZ, Perth and hopefully 36ers.

Absolutely love the squad the 36ers have put together. We have all the tools to win it and will be exciting to watch. Perth and NZ will be up there too.Tipping 36ers vs NZ GF.

depends on who drops the games they shouldnt.

Last year it was the wildcats that lost a couple of games they should have won, effectively costing them game 3 home court and the season.

Wildcats are prone to doing this, adelaide may find similar problems gelling with a new lineup. I think NZ strength is consistency.

Perth

Team's to beat are NZ and Perth.

Get on board. The dynasty is real.