Veteran Supercat joins Gunners

VETERAN Eric Gaff has felt the import squeeze at the Geelong Supercats, signing with SEABL rivals Canberra Gunners.

The 31-year-old, who has been waiting for permanent residency, was forced to look for opportunities elsewhere after the Supercats filled their two import positions.

And with partner Alex Bunton undergoing rehab on a knee injury at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, it was always the logical destination for Gaff.

“It’s no secret he is into the twilight of his career. We were really keen to keep him at Geelong for as long as we possibly could,” Basketball Geelong boss Dean Anglin said.

“But we are restricted to two non-nationals in the team. It was the feeling of the coaching staff we couldn’t sacrifice one of those positions for someone at the point of Eric’s career.

“Eric hasn’t got his permanent residency status sorted yet which means we weren’t able to offer him a position for the year.”

Anglin said the 208cm star, who won two SEABL defensive player of the year awards during his four years at the Supercats, would leave a massive hole at the club.

“He is an amazing individual,” he said. “He has been a great ambassador and does far more than what people see.

“He has been the face of our all abilities program for the last two years. I know those kids will be devastated he’s not around anymore.”

However the Supercats will be boosted by the arrival of import John Davis.

The small power forward arrived in Geelong yesterday and will train with his teammates for the first time this week.

Davis joins fellow American Demarcus Gatlin on the Supercats’ roster.