The Warrior
Years ago
WA SBL 2017
Early Msbl form guide
1. Tigers
Readying themselves for a big year, a good group of Australians may be added to with a big Australian from a Southern club and a better import than Funches makes them early favourites with the bookies.
2. Wolves
Big spending club will again be tough and challenge with good Australians. Word is they are again recruiting heavily for a tilt at the title. People are unsure if the status of Hire and Davis
3 Bucs
With Hussey taking the development position in Geraldton and Cook going for Australian citizenship, this might be their best chance at a title. No one knows what is happening with Adekponya and the lack of a coach is a worry at this stage but the core group will be finals bound
4. Senators
Another big budget club looking to make moves. If calib Davis returns late this could just be the icing they need to make a post season statement
5 Redbacks
Will depend on their imports but they still have a good supporting cast. Pressure will be on Nik with all the coach changes.
6 Hawks
Mature Australian group who with the right restricted player combination could climb higher.
7 Flames
Changes in imports and coaching could work both ways, either invigorate or challenge. Either way there will be early season teething problems will test team culture. Talented Australian group should see them into playoff action.
8 lightning
Showed improvement late last year and an extra year of sbl into Vinci, Grida and Shervill will see them into the finals. Chan may walk back to Cockburn and be a loss but expect an American guard and a return of big and small import combo for the 2017 lightning.
9Giants
new rookie coach creates uncertainty but a budget and a few returning solid Australians will have them around the playoff mark. Look for Jerome Reid to be the early favourite for most improved
10Slammers
Nicholls is great and a winner but uncertainty about everything else means we can't rate them higher. Who is coaching? Who is the second import? What Australians are playing?
11Suns
People may predict them higher but it will depend on what restricted players they have and also how teams prepare for there style in the second year of Shaka Smart. Losing club glue guy Travis Mcilroy could impact locker room culture.
12Eagles
Not much heard about them but an aging team is why I have put them this low. Heard they are looking at Pal that will help greatly but unsure if they go two imports again.
13cougars
Could this be one of the leagues biggest drops? Who is coaching? Will they have restricted players? Are the heart and sole, McIntyre, Della and Vanlit playing? A lot of question marks around the champions
14Magic
Last years wooden spooners don't appear to have improved with no mullenax or Smith. They have also lost Florence to Seabl and Remmerswaal is getting older. Trahair had success at the Bucs but this will be a challenge.
You can beg to differ but it may start discussion
