Rollers could tap into the Seahawks’ talents

THE Gold Coast Rollers say they won’t stand in the way of player development and would look at recruiting players from their cross-town rivals as they prepare to be the only Glitter Strip side in the new NBL1 North League.

The North Gold Coast Seahawks have opted out of the new league, which will replace the QBL as Queensland’s highest level of competition next year.

After qualifying for both male and female QBL grand finals this year, the Rollers will enter the NBL1 North league with high expectations of success, especially after retaining head coaches Mick Conlon and Cassie Dover.

Though both squads could potentially be bolstered by Seahawks QBL talent who desire to play at the highest level.

“We only appointed Mick and Cassie again this week so we’re now in the process of looking at our lists and who is available,” Gold Coast Basketball general manager Joel McInnes said.

“There are definitely some players on their (Seahawks) roster who are of NBL1 North quality who deserve the exposure.”

McInnes said it was also likely that veteran and former NBL star Anthony Petrie would likely join Thalo Green in retirement, meaning the Rollers will likely be on the lookout for experience.

“But never say never with those two,” McInnes said.

The association is still waiting on the final specifics of the 2020 NBL1 draw to determine how many road trips they face, but club officials believe the new league will unfold similarly to the 2019 QBL season.

However McInnes believes the new NBL affiliation and professional match livestreaming will raise the profile of the competition.

“The standard will increase because there looks like there will be a rule amendment to allow teams to build stronger playing lists (with more imports and Australian players,” he said. “There’s new software which means all games are live streamed and we can generate individual highlights and packages directly after the game.

“The digital impact of the league will be tenfold and a watershed moment.”

As it stands the Rollers will field teams in the SBL and NBL1 North but not the intermediate Queensland State League competition.