Geraldton Buccaneers prepare for their biggest challenge yet as they host the top-placed Warwick Senators

The Geraldton Buccaneers are confronted by their biggest challenge yet — preparing to beat the unbeaten Warwick Senators at Activewest Stadium on Saturday night in round eight of the NBL1 West.

The Buccs are coming off a win at home last round, while the star-studded Senators sit atop the table with nine wins from nine games in season 2025.

Wildcats listed players Elijah Pepper and Todd Withers have been leading the way for the Senators this season, tallying up some incredible statistics.

Pepper averages 40 points, six rebounds and seven assists while Withers averages 16 points, four rebounds and one assist per game. The pair have proven to be a headache for sides this season, with no one able so far to hand Warwick their first loss of the season.

Buccs coach Dayle Joseph said it will be a welcome challenge as the Buccs look to cause a major upset this Saturday at home.

“I think it’s a really good challenge for us,” he said.

“Considering over the last couple of weeks we’ve been up and down and our standards haven’t probably been where we would like them to be.

“We’ve had a couple of weeks to work on that and hopefully we can put something together and challenge the Senators this weekend.”

The sixth-placed Buccs, with a 5-3 record, now have the opportunity to pick up back-to-back wins at home when they face the Senators and will be looking to lean on their home fans for support.

Joseph said the home crowd played a huge part in the contest of the game.

“Being at home is a great advantage to have with our home fans behind us,” he said.

“I think it is great however for any away side that comes up here to face us.

“They have the opportunity to play in front of a packed house even if it isn’t their fans, it certainly amps everyone up.”

An added hunger has been adopted by the Buccs after dropping a very winnable game at home against the East Perth Eagles in round six.

Joseph said the squad took the loss to heart and used it as motivation to bounce back last round with a strong win over the Perry Lakes Hawks, hoping to carry that same hunger into Saturday night.

“We spent a bit of time on Tuesday highlighting some some areas and it did get a bit personal with a few things we weren’t doing right,” Joseph said.

“We took that loss at home to heart but from that we improved a lot last week.

“I wouldn’t say we were great last week but we certainly improved a lot on what we showed the week before.

“So we’re hoping we can improve on that again against obviously, this is a real test when you plan the top team who’s undefeated.

“They have NBL quality players on their squad, and hopefully we can answer that challenge.”

The Geraldton Buccaneers take on the Warwick Senators at Activewest Stadium May 24 with tip off at 7pm.