Hoops

Bullets chasing Motum, Bairstow, Pledger, Gibson

Yeah he's from Tassie. He went to school in Brisbane and started his career at the Bullets.

Goulding Home? isn't he from Tasmania

I have to say, for the last few months I'd been imagining Gibson and Goulding to be the first signings. I even softened on Goulding toward the end of the season, thinking I'd be cheering him on next season.

I think Motum is a very realistic signing. He's already shown he doesn't consider himself to be above the NBL.

Either way, it looks like the Bullets intend on being immediate contenders.

I've often thought the Breakers didn't maximise their use of Pledger, although part of this may be related to injury woes. Wouldn't mind seeing him in Brisbane, but only if 100% healthy.

Another big I'd REALLY like to have is Jervis. Having him come off the bench is embarrassingly good for the Wildcats, would like to see what he does with a regular 25-30 minutes a game instead of scraps. Highly unlikely to ever leave Perth though.

I don't think Motum and Bairstow are unreasonable. Would be surprised if we don't get at least one. Both Brisbane-bred and would be offered the opportunity to be the face of the rebirth, plus ties to the National coach. Bear isn't getting another NBA contract and may find the NBL appealing if the price is right. Am assuming Brock could get a decent payday here then get a Euro contract again once the NBL finishes.

Shame about Bubbles, really keen to see him play at 'home'.

Tornado, they're probably not necessarily aiming to get both but putting more lines in the water.

Would love to see the pledgehammer step out of his comfort zone after a successful if not injury filled run at the breakers. Lemanis connection could be important for the Bullets

I doubt they get both Motum and Bairstow...I even doubt they'll get 1 of them.

I came across an article in today's The Age newspaper online about how the AFL has piblicly come out to claim they are targeting Australian basketballers currently plying their trade in the US College system.

The Age Link: http://linky.com.au/4gasi

From the article:

"THE AFL has targeted 100 young Australian sportsmen playing college basketball in the US in a bid to lure elite talent from other sports as it expands over the next 18 months to 18 teams."

"A list of the college basketballers has come from the office of AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and distributed to several clubs including the fledgling Greater Western Sydney and the Swans."

"Having struggled to unearth talent from the Sydney market through the ambitious but ultimately mediocre NSW scholarship scheme, the AFL remains determined to scour other elite sporting markets in a bid to place star athletes on club lists via the recently opened up international rookie scheme."

"Club recruiters have increasingly searched for potential AFL stars at Australia's National Basketball League talent camps and Adelaide rookie Ricky Henderson was lured from the sport."

"While Dean Brogan is the most famous recruit from basketball, Kurt Tippett, Jesse White, Scott Pendlebury and Jack Watts and are four other notable former basketballers who crossed from basketball."

I just hope that the cream of the crop stay true to their basketball roots and avoid doing a Karmichael Hunt or Israel Folau.