By ADEM SARICAOGLU
FORMER Geelong gun Anthony Kimble is the latest big name to sign on with the Melton Thoroughbreds ahead of the Big V Division One season.
The big US import joins a long list of new arrivals that already includes Matthew Jukes, Matthew Hedger, Joel Bellman and Daniel Kraljevic – who have all been confirmed as starters for Melton for the upcoming season.
Incoming Thoroughbreds coach Mick Downie is well aware that a host of formidable new recruits will come with greater expectations, but the expected standard for the year has already been set by the coach himself, three weeks out from the season’s tip-off.
“We’ve recruited quite successfully and got ourselves some good experience and some really good young talent that has experienced playing basketball at a higher level,” Downie said.
“Quite honestly, I’ve put a bit of pressure on myself with the recruiting that I’ve done but I’m relishing that and I would definitely expect us to be in the play-offs, if not being a realistic chance of winning the whole lot.
“I don’t think that’s beyond expectations. That’s a minimum of what we should be looking at with the squad that we’ve got.”
Melton was the clear standout in Division Two basketball last season but the Thoroughbreds will be facing much stiffer competition in Division One.
Downie is well-aware his side will need to improve on the exploits of 2013, but does remain very confident another promotion into the State Championship is a reasonable goal for the 2014 season.
“I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of reality at all,” Downie said.
“It’s a big jump in skill level but quite honestly, because I’ve experienced it before (with Altona) and been through it before, I hold no fears of it at all and my ultimate goal is to hopefully get the Melton Thoroughbreds playing (State) Championship basketball.
“I have no qualms about that at all.”
Downie said the playing group has accepted the challenge and has bought into the club’s ambitious goals.
“They’ve come on board with some of my basketball philosophies and it’s been made an easier transition for me with Julie McCallum being my assistant coach,” he said.
“Defensively I’d like us to have strict rules and be tight-knit, but offensively I’d like to see the players create and take the opportunities that are presented to them.
“I don’t like them to be robotic, that’s why I’ve recruited the guys that I recruited. They’ve got good basketball brains and hopefully will grab the opportunity when it presents itself.”
