Top of the ladder Geraldton Buccaneers not taking their foot off the pedal before finals

The Geraldton Buccaneers have locked away a top-two finish and need just one more win to guarantee they finish the season as minor premiers in the NBL1 West competition.

Geraldton will not have to spend long game planning for their upcoming clash against Rockingham, with this being the second encounter between the teams in a three-week span.

When they first clashed, the Buccaneers put up their biggest score of the season during the 116-94 win on the road.

Despite the end being so close, coach Dayle Joseph said they were not taking their foot off the pedal before finals.

“Obviously the goal is the big goal at the end, we’ve put that too us now that that’s achievable and that should be what we aim for,” he said.

“All the work we do from here on in is to get to that particular point…our goal is to make that grand final and whatever happens in that happens.”

Geraldton is coming off two big wins on the road, getting up over the Lakeside Lightning and Joondalup Wolves.

Two games that Joseph said that squad had to adapt and adjust on the go in order to pick up the wins.

“I think we’re getting really close, we got really challenged on Saturday in a different style of game…we had to alter the way we played a little bit, I thought we did that pretty well,” he said.

“We kept that composure under a bit of pressure, I thought we did really well to handle that.

“Then on Sunday again we got challenge early and had to change a few things to get right defensively, as soon as we got that right, everything went reasonably well.”

The Buccaneers have been finding ways to win with their depth, with a top-down roster that can contend with any side in the league.

“You look at our statistics, we don’t have any weekly award winners or people leading statistical categories in the league,” Joseph said.

“But we certainly have guys that are doing their bit for our team, so I think that’s going to help us come playoff time.”

With a top two spot already locked in, Joseph said they were still playing each game to the fullest.

“I’d be lying if I said to the guys we’re going to take it easy or we’re going to rest guys,” he said.

“I don’t think that would be the way the Buccaneers play and we will be playing at a win at all costs situation.”

The NBL1 West is celebrating First Nations round this weekend, with each team rocking a specially designed jersey for the round.

The Buccaneers will support a kit designed by local Dainira Papertalk, with the design incorporating strong ties to Geraldton with elements of connection, spirituality and Dreamtime stories.

“It’s a really big thing that sporting groups and clubs recognise the First Nations people from our area…we’ve done this a couple of times, the uniforms look great,” Joseph said.

“It’s great that we have a couple of indigenous guys that play in our squad…it’s something the boys are proud of when they wear them.”

They will suit up in the new kits this Saturday, July 6 against the Rockingham Flames at Activewest Stadium with tip off at 7pm.