Resurgent Rangers

By Gavin Staindl
THEY are bigger. They are stronger. And they are more athletic.
On paper, the Dandenong Rangers are a better team than last year and are now only days away from launching into a season that coach Warren Dawson believes will be a successful one.
With key departures countered by exciting new signings, the South Eastern Australian Basketball Association League (SEABL) representative side appears to have settled their internal problems and added some extra class in time for Saturday night’s opening match against Brisbane.
“We’re a lot bigger and a lot stronger than we were last year,” said Dawson.
“ We have been very, very competitive in the pre-season against groups that we’ve played against.
“The group put together this year is a pretty decent group and we’ll be more than competitive this year that is for sure,” Dawson said.
The Rangers, who finished a game-and-a-half outside of the play-offs last season have made some vital inclusions to cover the losses of big-time players Dusty Jura, David Godfrey, Jeremy Kirtley and Gavin Illangakoon.
“Dusty did well for us last year and was a really terrific player but we probably needed more of an interior presence that’s why we brought Luke Fitzgerald in,” Dawson said.
The American Fitzgerald who stands at 6 foot 7 inches and has arrived from playing in the American Basketball Association (ABA), is set to be an immediate starter for the Rangers.
“He may not score as many points as Dusty for instance, but the fact that teams will have to respect him one-on-one when he is in around the basket means they can’t double off on shooters or they can’t key in on other guys because if they do and the ball goes to him, one-on-one he will be a handful,” Dawson said.
Joining Fitzgerald as a debutant for the Rangers is 23-year-old Lucas Walker.
Walker was picked up from St Mary’s where he played NCAA ball with fellow NBA draftee and Boomer star Patty Mills.
“He can play multiple positions. He’s very, very athletic.
“He should be in the NBL there is no doubt about that. He is an NBL quality player and athlete and how an NBL club did not pick him is beyond me,” Dawson said.
The pair will team up with other Rangers debutants Dwayne Campbell and Robbie McIntosh who are busy preparing to play Brisbane on Saturday night in round one of the SEABL competition.
“Brisbane first up will be tough but we’ve probably got them at the best time of the year given that they’ve got guys coming back from the NBL. They would have had to rest them so they’ll be lacking a bit of preparation.
“They’re strong, big and physical, same as last year so they’ll be tough. They’ll be very tough,” said Dawson.
So can they make finals?
“I think so,” claims Dawson.
“It is a much more even comp this year which will be good but you have to maximise your opportunities to get wins.
“You can’t get to far ahead of yourselves though.
“The first month, five out of our first six games are at home.
“They’re really critical for us but having said that it could provide a nice launching pad.
“I think if we can be 4-2 after those six games then I think that will be a good platform for us to build on when we hit the road.
“If we get anything better than that then it is all gravy,” Dawson said.