Rollers gear up without star trio

TWO weeks after winning the first state title for the Gold Coast in 34 years, the Gold Coast Rollers will head to Melbourne today to play three games against the best teams in the country to decide a national champion.

This is the first time there has been a national final in the current NBL1 format, with teams that won their respective state championships coming together to push for glory.

The Rollers will have a big task ahead of them with their three Brisbane Bullets stars – Jason Cadee, DJ Mitchell and Tanner Krebs – all unavailable as the NBL pre-season starts this weekend.

However, all teams at the nationals will be in the same predicament with any NBL players unlikely to play.

The Rollers will be hoping that Lamar Patterson can produce over the weekend and lead the team to success on the back of his stellar play in the state championships.

Patterson will be joined by captain TJ Diop and Devon Sullivan in a strong front court that will need to take more responsibility this week.

In an interesting twist, the Rollers have been able to pull up two players from their second-tier team to take away for the nationals.

Gold Coast junior Matt McKewin and Byron Bay young star Harley Kent will get their first opportunity to suit up for the Rollers’ top team this weekend and will need to produce as the Rollers top two point guards are not available to play.

The Rollers start the weekend with a game on Friday night against Hobart at 8.15pm.

All games are live streamed through the NBL1 app and some games will be shown on kayo.