Geraldton Buccaneers look to bounce back at home when they face Joondalup on Saturday
The Geraldton Buccaneers head into round 10 of the NBL1 West this weekend coming off a split road trip, with hopes of bouncing back at home when they face the Joondalup Wolves on Saturday.
The Buccs return home after a two-game road trip, which saw them pick up a win on Saturday against Lakeside Lightning before overtime heartbreak on Sunday against the Willetton Tigers.
The 20-point win over Lakeside on Saturday night was headlined by Aaron Ralph breaking the all-time three-point record, with the star forward and Buccs' captain securing his record in the first half of the contest.
The Buccs fell short on Sunday against Willetton in overtime by four points after injuries prevented the full strength team from being on the court.
Buccs' big man Liam Hunt had an impressive weekend with back-to-back double-doubles along with Josh Keyes, who secured a double-double against Willetton, and Johny Narkle, who also drew up big numbers against Lakeside.
Despite going down to Willetton in overtime, Hunt said the team was in good spirits after Ralph's record-breaking achievement.
'The spirit is pretty high after Ralphie broke that record and obviously the big win against Lakeside,' he said.
'To go down like that against Willetton is tough but they are a top four team.
'You know, it's heartbreaking, but we have just got to keep learning from our failures.
'We can't play perfect, its not possible, but we want to be perfect in everything we can control.'
Hunt said having someone like Ralph at the helm as captain was invaluable to everyone in the group.
'He (Ralph) is just a class player and someone we really value in the group,' Hunt said.
'He knows when players need a rev up and a lift and he always provides it.
'Ralphie is just someone you can rely on to deliver in big moments.
'I don't see his record ever being touched.'
Turning their attention to this weened, the Buccs host rivals Joondalup in what promises to be a high octane game with both sides sitting next to each other on the league ladder.
The Wolves are coming off a win against the Eastern Suns in round nine in what was a low-scoring affair. The Wolves now face a hungry Buccs outfit as the home side looks to bounce back with a big win at home.
Hunt said the squad was raring to get over the top of the Wolves in what always promises to be a thriller.
'Joondalup games are always big games,' he said.
'They always are fun games to play in and always seem to come right down to the wire.
'We have had a rivalry with Joondalup for the last six years, so we are looking forward to playing them at home.'
The Buccs sit just under the Wolves on the NBL1 West league ladder in fifth, with the visitors holding down the fourth position, making Saturday's contest one to watch.
Tip-off is at 7pm on Saturday, June 7, at Activewest Stadium.
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West Australian
2 days ago
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Geraldton Buccaneers look to bounce back at home when they face Joondalup on Saturday
The Geraldton Buccaneers head into round 10 of the NBL1 West this weekend coming off a split road trip, with hopes of bouncing back at home when they face the Joondalup Wolves on Saturday. The Buccs return home after a two-game road trip, which saw them pick up a win on Saturday against Lakeside Lightning before overtime heartbreak on Sunday against the Willetton Tigers. The 20-point win over Lakeside on Saturday night was headlined by Aaron Ralph breaking the all-time three-point record, with the star forward and Buccs' captain securing his record in the first half of the contest. The Buccs fell short on Sunday against Willetton in overtime by four points after injuries prevented the full strength team from being on the court. Buccs' big man Liam Hunt had an impressive weekend with back-to-back double-doubles along with Josh Keyes, who secured a double-double against Willetton, and Johny Narkle, who also drew up big numbers against Lakeside. Despite going down to Willetton in overtime, Hunt said the team was in good spirits after Ralph's record-breaking achievement. 'The spirit is pretty high after Ralphie broke that record and obviously the big win against Lakeside,' he said. 'To go down like that against Willetton is tough but they are a top four team. 'You know, it's heartbreaking, but we have just got to keep learning from our failures. 'We can't play perfect, its not possible, but we want to be perfect in everything we can control.' Hunt said having someone like Ralph at the helm as captain was invaluable to everyone in the group. 'He (Ralph) is just a class player and someone we really value in the group,' Hunt said. 'He knows when players need a rev up and a lift and he always provides it. 'Ralphie is just someone you can rely on to deliver in big moments. 'I don't see his record ever being touched.' Turning their attention to this weened, the Buccs host rivals Joondalup in what promises to be a high octane game with both sides sitting next to each other on the league ladder. The Wolves are coming off a win against the Eastern Suns in round nine in what was a low-scoring affair. The Wolves now face a hungry Buccs outfit as the home side looks to bounce back with a big win at home. Hunt said the squad was raring to get over the top of the Wolves in what always promises to be a thriller. 'Joondalup games are always big games,' he said. 'They always are fun games to play in and always seem to come right down to the wire. 'We have had a rivalry with Joondalup for the last six years, so we are looking forward to playing them at home.' The Buccs sit just under the Wolves on the NBL1 West league ladder in fifth, with the visitors holding down the fourth position, making Saturday's contest one to watch. Tip-off is at 7pm on Saturday, June 7, at Activewest Stadium.
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Aussie Matt Dufty bans mum from Challenge Cup Final
Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us." Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us." Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us."
