Geraldton Buccaneers ‘find a way to win’ while undermanned as they prepare for Perth double-header

Despite injuries and players missing, an undermanned Geraldton Buccaneers sit on top of the NBL1 West table as the team continues to find a way to win. In their most recent match against the Perry Lakes Hawks, the Buccaneers had the advantage but looked close to coughing the match up as the away side built up a comeback late in the 92-89 contest. Despite nearly giving up the game, Geraldton still came away with the win, which coach Dayle Joseph said was all he could ask for. “I said to the guys I don’t care how we win this one, we’ve just got to do what’s required to make sure we get the win, being undermanned a little bit,” he said. “Liam (Hunt) played 40 minutes; Nik (DeSantis) had played 37 and the reason he came off was pretty much with a blood lip. “I ran the guys into the ground a little bit, probably weary towards the end, made some poor decisions.” While the Buccaneers roster is looking depleted with players out, especially at the guard position, they have continued to pick up wins. The side has dropped only one game this season despite not having their full side playing a game together yet. “It’s a credit to the guys we got and their mental strength, their competitiveness that they have as well,” Joseph said. “We’re having to change the way we play a little bit with slowing things down, which is not what we’ve been preparing for in preseason. “To have done all that on the run and all stick together and get the job done, it’s a credit to the guys themselves being able to adapt.” With an 8-1 record, the reigning NBL1 West champions have climbed to top of the ladder. While keeping the first place spot would be ideal, Joseph said they were focused on winning games and the ladder position would follow. “The first goal is to make the playoffs, second goal is to finish in that top four. If you can have a crack at the top two, that gives you a bigger advantage came playoffs,” he said. Geraldton are now on the road to Perth, facing their third double-header of the season against the Cockburn Cougars and East Perth Eagles. It will be a revenge match after the Eagles came to Geraldton just two weeks prior and became the first visiting team to win at Activewest Stadium in two seasons. Despite that, the game plan for Geraldton is not changing, with the side preparing for the Saturday game like normal with double-headers. “Not at all, same mentality, will focus trying to get that win against the Cougars,” Joseph said. “It’s a bit hard to prepare for those Sunday games, because you never know what’s going to happen during the Saturday one … another injury and stuff like that, your game style has got to change again.” With the loss to East Perth still fresh, Joseph said the side would not have to change much of the plan for the away game. “We prepared for them only two weeks ago anyway, so some of that’s still pretty fresh. I don’t think we need to make a lot of changes to the way we played,” he said. “We were in the game until halfway through the last quarter and then it got away from us against East Perth, so not a lot we have to change for that game.” The Buccaneers will enjoy the addition of Bob Griechen back in the team to provide depth after he returns from the US on Friday and will be playing on Saturday. US import Josh Braun has been out of the side with injury for the past two games, but the Buccs are not concerned over rushing him back and will wait until the guard is fully fit to go. Geraldton take on Cockburn on Saturday at Willy Hagan Stadium, followed by East Perth at the Morley Recreation Centre on Sunday.