Wallace named Supercats coach for 2023

THE Geelong Supercats has made its first announcement in preparation for the 2023 campaign, with former Diamond Valley Eagles coach and well-known figure within the NBL1 community Grant Wallace taking on the mantle as head coach.

With more than 550 games under his belt at the NBL1/SEABL level over more than two decades, Wallace brings with him a breadth of knowledge, as Geelong hopes to build upon a somewhat disappointing 2022 season filled with injuries and absences, despite making the finals.

“I know the players are already fairly well motivated,” Wallace said.

“They feel they all came up pretty short last year based on the expectation where they felt they should have been, so that will drive a lot of motivation in the offseason to turn that around as quickly as possible.”

It took the Supercats less than two days to announce former coach Justin Schueller’s replacement, following a quick consultation with Geelong United chief executive officer Mark Neeld.

“It was a nice match for me personally,” Wallace said.

“Geelong has always been the benchmark of the NBL1, and SEABL as it was formerly known back then.

“I guess the goal moving forward is to rebuild off last season and try to capture some of that glory that we deserve from a Geelong perspective.”

Geelong last attained league success in 2010, defeating Bendigo 95-82 to claim its fifth state championship.

Wallace coached a conference final against Geelong during his time at Nunawading, a game singed into his memory as former Supercat Rodney Walker tipped in a basket on the buzzer to win the game.

“The atmosphere at the time and what was happening was just amazing, and for as long as I can remember, The Arena at Geelong has been a fortress, one you respected as an opposition coach coming into,” Wallace recounted.

“You knew you always had to bring your best game, so next season I’ll be trying to flip that around and make it as uncomfortable as possible for our opponents in 2023.”

Geelong concluded the NBL1 South 2022 season with a record of 12 wins and 10 losses to finish eighth in the standings.

The Supercats were eliminated by the Frankston Blues in the first round of the conference finals by 30 points.