NBL1 West round 17: Geraldton Buccs play last home game, aim to move up ladder against South West Slammers

The Geraldton Buccaneers play their last home game of the regular season on Saturday against old rival the South West Slammers. The Buccs will then travel south for back-to-back away games in round 18 to finish the season, against the Perth Redbacks and East Perth Eagles, ahead of finals. While the Slammers are sitting on the bottom of the NBL1 West ladder, Buccs coach Dayle Joseph is not complacent about the round 17 home game. “Never underestimate a young team that’s got nothing to lose,” he said. “It’s getting towards the end of their season, I’m sure they’d like to chalk up an upset win.” The Buccs are sitting in third on the ladder and chasing their ninth straight win this weekend. With second-placed Warwick Senators playing a danger game against fifth-placed Joondalup Wolves, there is an opportunity for the Buccs to move up the ladder. Joseph is focusing on the match-ups for Saturday’s game. “They’ve (Slammers) got a very good import in Jamal Poplar, who’s about 6’10, he’s been playing really well for them,” he said. “Our big Liam (Hunt) will probably play on him early, no secret there; I think that would be pretty obvious what we do.” The Buccs have several players in Hunt, Akeem Springs, Josh Keyes and Johny Narkle on fire at the moment and with three-point king Aaron Ralph and tall forward Ryan Blanchett coming back from injury, the squad is looking strong for the pointy end of the season. “Depth is a pretty big key, to push deep into the finals, you never know what’s around the corner, foul trouble, form or injuries and you’re going to need that depth to help get across the line,” Joseph said. “Anyone in that top eight at this point is capable of winning the whole thing. You have to be at your best on the night. “I don’t underestimate the Slammers at all, they had the wood over the Buccaneers way back in the 90s and some of their coaching staff were all part of that so there’s always that bit of rivalry.” The Geraldton Buccaneers host the South West Slammers at Activewest Stadium on Saturday, July 26, with tip-off at 7pm.