Thunder star aims for Bragging rights

FORMER NBL guard Mason Bragg will be going full tilt in Sunday’s scratch match against visiting American college outfit St Mary’s, eager to show southern fans his talent.

Bragg and fellow North West Thunder player Joe Chilcott will join the Chargers for the clash against the Gaels, which feature two Tasmanians in Tanner Krebs and coastal product Kyle Clark.

Bragg, who spent several seasons on Perth’s roster and impressed two seasons ago when starting guard Damien Martyn was injured, didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation to join the arch enemy when Hobart coach Anthony Stewart called.

“I have never played against an American college before, so I am super pumped and to be able to play with some guys from Hobart who I haven’t played with before will be exciting too,” Bragg said. “We will be going into it 100 per cent, our season has finished at the moment, so we will be coming in with a pretty serious attitude. We will be looking to show our stuff, especially in front of what is hopefully a good crowd.

“We want to make it as competitive as we can, they have come all the way to Tassie to play, so we want to make sure they come down and get a good hit-out.”

Bragg confirmed there was movement behind closed doors about a potential return to the NBL for the upcoming season, but could not comment on opportunities on the horizon.

The Chargers will be hoping to be riding high from victory in their SEABL preliminary final against Geelong on Friday night, but coach Stewart said regardless of the result he would be playing to win against St Mary’s.

“We want to attract more college games and, to do that, we have to be competitive and try and win these games,” he said.

“We will be going all out, Mason and Joe will be a big part of that.

“The priority is to win the SEABL championship, so hopefully we get over Geelong, we get a day’s rest then we come up against St Mary’s, which is a chance to get some more game time under our belt.

“We will take it easy next week if we are lucky enough to get that far and prepare accordingly.”