Storm men ready to test Big V’s best

LUKE Beauglehall’s Bellarine Storm men’s side are no longer new kids on the Big V Championship block and will look to use their “lessons” from last year as a means to rise up the ranks in 2024.

Several key additions, two of which are from the NBL1 level, will lead from the front for Beuglehall, and fans will get the chance to see the new-look Storm this Saturday in their Round 1 clash against Blackburn.

“The group is definitely excited, Round 1 can’t come quick enough, we’ve had a six-month pre-season, and the boys have all settled in, including our new additions in Liam McInerney, Nick Velasquez, and Kavione Green who have created some good chemistry already,” Beauglehall said.

“We’ve managed to put some wins behind us already thanks to a couple practice matches and I think we’re all firing on all cylinders ready for Round 1.”

Both McInerney and Velasquez made the move over to the Bellarine following recent seasons with Geelong United in the NBL1, while Green, a staple of Wyndham’s Championship success in 2022, will also play a major part within Bellarine’s nucleus.

Youngsters to watch also include Max Mason, Rohan Jarvie, and Jamieson Renkauskas.

“They bring a lot of experience to a side that will have a lot more confidence from last season, we certainly learnt a lot of lessons in 2023, but we’ve put in the practice over the pre-season, and we know now what the benchmark needs to be,” Beauglehall said.

“I feel like we’re ready to step up to that and really push our capabilities as much as we can.”

Bellarine finished 3-18 in 2023, while their Round 1 opponents Blackburn did not fair much better, finishing 5-16, but Beauglehall said his side would not be underestimating the Vikings in their season opener.

“Blackburn is a very competitive side, they will push you the entire game.

“But one thing we learned last season is there is no easy footing against any team, there are no exceptions.

“We need to come out firing really hard, they have two new imports in their guard rotation, one of which I believe has come down from NBL1 as well and we’re going to have to be on our game from the get-go.”

Bellarine and Blackburn tip-off in the men’s fixture Saturday, April 6 at 7.30pm following the women’s game.