Phoenix coach has support of MVP

NEWLY crowned South East Melbourne MVP Mitch Creek has added a caveat to his commitment to the Phoenix – “keep my coach”.

Creek, fresh off celebrating his 30th birthday, has guaranteed that if he plays in the NBL next season, it will be at South East Melbourne. And while Creek hasn’t quite issued an ultimatum, he has told the Phoenix he wants to play under coach Simon Mitchell.

“I’ve expressed to the club that I’ll be staying if Simon stays,” Creek said. “I’ve said if you move him on, basically I have the ability to move on as well, from re-signing.

“We communicate openly, we discuss ourselves, our families, teammates, staff, we’re very honest with each other.

“I like what he’s doing. He’s not perfect, but no coach is.

“I have full belief that he can do what’s necessary for us to be successful.”

Mitchell has said the sport is a “performance-based industry” and, after the Phoenix were on top of the NBL at 11-5, a disastrous finish to the season cost them a spot in the top four. It was a step back after they were one win away from a grand-final berth in 2020-21 and opened Mitchell up to questions about his future. But Creek said the side was hampered by Covid, illness and an injury to star Ryan Broekhoff.

Phoenix chief executive Tommy Greer said the club was keen to re-sign both men.

“Negotiations are ongoing with both Mitch and Simon and the club hopes to bring them both back next season,” Greer said.

The Phoenix tumble opened the door for new club Tasmania to pull off its NBL finals miracle, which Creek said was “pretty special” to watch.

“It’s good for the league, it’s good for basketball,” he said.

“As much as people didn’t think they were going to be great, they had themselves together in a huddle down in Tassie and separated themselves a little bit and said it’s us v the rest and stuff them all.

“I think they’re going to have a hell of a task ahead of them against Sydney but I reckon they’ve got some dogs over there who can really go out and shake it up.”