Regions collide as Buccs make the trek down to Eaton Recreation Centre

It’s been an unusual week for new South West Slammers men’s coach Shane Goff, as he prepares for his first game at NBL1 West level on Saturday night at the Eaton Recreation Centre. Preparing for the Geraldton Buccaneers’ visit on opening night is tricky enough as it is, but this challenge is essentially doubled when you are coming out of COVID-19 isolation. “We are a little in-between at the moment,” Goff said. “There are a couple who have COVID-19 who are not well, so they will be sitting out, along with those who are on the injured list. But this allows opportunities for others to stand up and have a go.” Both Goff and his Buccs counterpart Dayle Joseph believe this game will provide them with plenty of lessons, as scouting info on each team is limited. “We know the Buccs are a professional outfit,” Goff said. “They have been a successful powerhouse in the league for decades now.” Subject to COVID-19 protocols, the Buccs plan to base themselves in Mandurah over the weekend, given the fact they will face off against the Magic on Sunday. Departing from Geraldton on Saturday morning, the team will spend a few hours at their hotel, before bussing it down to the Eaton Recreation Centre prior to tip-off. Joseph believes it will be an interesting challenge for his squad, given health and safety protocols and the amount of new faces on the roster. “I think we will have to do the trip all in one go, mainly due to the COVID issues that we have at the moment,” he said. “We just want to limit the amount of contact we have along the way. “It (our game style) will be similar. “I believe we are still adapting a little bit, as we have not been able to play scratch matches as often as some of the other Perth teams have been able to. “So we are still sort of finding our feet — however, I would like to think we might play a little more up-tempo with the type of players we have.” One of those players who looms large offensively in this game is American offensive threat Shaun Stewart, who will be suiting up in a Buccs singlet for the first time. Joseph has no doubt the Slammers youngsters will be full of enthusiasm from the outset, of which his men will need to be wary. Tip off is at 7pm.