Geelong United Supercats in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 1997

Every win is crucial for the men who are sitting just outside the top eight on the NBL1 South ladder.

While the women secured their place in the finals last weekend, the men are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1997 — the club’s first year out of the NBL.

Preparation for the team has been somewhat interrupted this week, with both Gabe Hadley and George Blagojevic spending time at the Brisbane Bullets training camp in the hopes of cracking one of the final roster spots available in the NBL.

Last season’s Supercats coach Justin Scchueller is now at the helm of the Bullets.

Blagojevic said he was hopeful of making it back into the NBL, after a stint with Cairns from 2019-2021, but was taking it day by day,

“I’m just taking all the opportunities I can right now. I’m trying my best and we’ll see what happens,” Blagojevic said.

“If I don’t get a spot, hopefully I can find a spot in Europe somewhere.”

Alongside Hadley, Blagojevic also attended the South East Melbourne Phoenix training camp last week.

Despite NBL opportunities looming, George has his eyes set on the next two weeks of crucial games for the Supercats.

“If we win all our games, the last four games – we’ll make it (to finals),” he said.

“If we lose one, and win three, it’s still a chance, but depends on other teams.

“So, it’s kind of in our hands to do it.”

The first game this weekend will see the Supercats take on the Ringwood Hawks on the road on Friday night, before a return to the Geelong Arena on Saturday night to host the Ballarat Miners.

A spot in the finals won’t be the only thing on the line for the Supercats on Saturday, with the club playing for the inaugural “Mark Leader Shield” against the Miners.

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The scores from both the men’s and women’s games will be added to together to form an aggregate score, with the winning club to be presented with the shield in honour of the NBL player and coach who was involved with both clubs and passed away earlier this year.

The club will also celebrate the league’s First Nations Round, coinciding with NAIDOC Week.

Celebrations at the Geelong Arena on Saturday night will feature a Welcome to Country, an on-court smoking ceremony for the players and dance performances at halftime of the men’s and women’s games by the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative dance group.

Originally published as Geelong United Supercats in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 1997