Geraldton Buccaneers add tall timber as 2.08m Matt Berkec unveiled ahead of season opener this weekend

With the amateur season officially over, the Geraldton Buccaneers can now take centre stage as they get underway this weekend against the Southwest Slammers.

After falling short in the championship decider last year, the Buccs are hoping to go one better than last season and have brought in some new personnel in the off-season.

At 2.08m (or 6 ft 10 in the old scale), Matt Berkec will be a hard player to miss when he steps out on the court on Saturday with the Knox Raider making the jump across from the NBL1 South.

“I’m excited, I’ve never been to WA, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity and keen for the season to start, I’ve had a good pre-season and the body feels good so can’t wait to start,” he said.

“Seeing how well these guys performed last year and looking at the atmosphere and culture as soon as I was told there was an opportunity I said I’d give it a crack.

“Everyone’s been great so far and getting along really well, so it’s been good.”

The Raiders finished seventh in their division last year before bowing out in the first round of finals, with Berkec managing seven games averaging 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in his limited minutes.

Berkec said he was hoping his height could be a different weapon for the Buccs this season.

“It seemed from what I saw they struggled a little bit with height last year and hopefully with my height it can add a bit of something else for the team with rebounding,” he said.

“I can shoot the ball pretty well for my height but I think the rebounding and that inside presence will be my biggest assets.”

With assistance from veterans such as Liam Hunt and Aaron Ralph, Berkec is also hoping he can build his profile in the west.

“Playing in the South I felt I wasn’t getting much of an opportunity, playing scrap minutes mostly and I feel like coming here and doing what I know I can do I can put myself on notice more,” he said.

“But the main thing is team success and I’d love to win a championship with these guys.”

While the first game is an opportunity to find his feet, Berkec is most looking forward to the famous Buccs crowd.

“It was the first thing I was told about and it’s a great thing about this team that the whole city gets around them and I can’t wait to experience that,” he said.

Along with Berkec, the Buccs recently announced the signing of Isaac Gattorna from the Sydney Kings, with the forward expected to arrive on Wednesday.