Waverley* mate...

I would suggest that they don't have the size to compete with the best SEABL teams. If they had one legitimate big guy then they would be threat to the top teams.

SEABL is not near the level it was 10 years ago but you clowns keep thinking, posting and rating it as if it is!

Which SEABL teams would not make Big V SCM Finals?
Better question...

OP and first response are from the same IP and computer. I know saying this antagonises the author a little into "Two of us share one machine" posts, but I did like that in this instance, the respondent corrected the spelling of the original poster. Had to laugh.

No shame in this case - happy to have the discussion here either way, so thanks for the topic.

I haven't read anywhere that Dillon is even signed? Just because he played last year why does everyone assume he will be this year?

I think SEABL players overrate their own league. They love to suggest how much better SEABL is compared to Big V but really there isn't a whole lot of difference IMO.

SEABL is better than BigV, much better. SEABL features more NBLers and fringe NBLers than BigV which is just a Victorian league.

SEABL also has a bigger budget for players in imports and better overall preparation for the season. but can Waverley compete in that league? I'd say yes but won't be anywhere near as successful.

btw Dillon is not confirmed yet. Gleeson supposedly don't want many of the key players to play in ABA this year thus the regular ABA guys like Tragardh and Greer are sitting out.

Wavo played Dandy seabl men recently. Dandy won by 14 and were close to full strength. Waverley did not have Platenik, Dillon or Lewis (who are all playing).

I've posted about this before.

The BigV made significant ground on the SEABL in terms of depth and quality in the mid 2000's but have fallen away in the last 3-4 years.

I disagree about needing a big. The SEABL has a bunch of small forward sized athletic imports (massingale types) who do a lot of their scoring. They are not really that big as a league.

I think there is a "different" difference. Most (many) SEABL teams afford 2 imports, BigV clubs tend to afford one. I think Waverley have none.

My memory is that the last 2 ABA national finals held were won by QBL teams. The other state league's all have teams who could compete in SEABL, but overall SEABL has better depth of teams and talent - the import pool helps with that.

Princes second post is a ripper and a good way of looking at it. I don't know the bottom end of SEABl that well to know.

HO-agreed. Waverley has Threatt as their lone import

Threatt is an Aussie

nope he's not. can apply for citizenship but he's not Aussie

SEABL is easily stronger than Big V. In general, Imports are better and there are more of them and the depth in SEABL teams is much greater than the Big V teams.

Id say the bottom three teams from SEABL last year being Canberra, Albury and NW Tas would have missed Big V finals place but all others would have made it and could have won it.

Sixerfan, if that's the case then the structure of Australian basketball is on trouble, and I have liked some of Paul's comments on this before.

Firstly, if 3 seabl teams would have missed BigV finals and the rest won it, then the SEABL has a huge quality problem top to bottom.

Second, you always want to be in a position where the best teams in your next level down would be competitive in the middle of your level. So top 2 in division 2 should be mid ladder in Div 1 - competitive, but not threatening the leaders,a nd not smashing your bottom teams.

This highlights for me that perhaps SEABL (as the unofficial second tier) is too close in quality to the state league's and far from good enough in terms of NBL.

Threatt plays as an Aussie, he isnt classed as an import.

It really comes down to money in the end. Sandringham and Dandenong were both in the BigV about four years ago and have done pretty well in their time in the SEABL - both teams were standouts at the time in BigV though.

Albury will be a decent team this year as they have signed up some good Aussie talent in Hollis and Opacic, together with two new imports.

BigV have a couple of teams who could compete in the SEABL but its the lower teams in the competition who would get flogged in SEABL.

Eltham has signed Luke Cooper, Graham Dann and apparently Trigger is going back (maybe not every game) plus afew others!
Id put them ahead of Waverley now!

Im not Bobby from Warrnambool..

I heard this from one of the closest sources to Eltham over the weekend.. Just wait n see!

From the infromation at hand i don't believe eltham have made any signings!

Cooper is a sure thing from what I hear from a few of players at Eltham!

Dobut the players would be talking it up if it wasn't happening but i wouldn't be so sure!