Feature image via: Kieron Place Art & Photography
In his final game on Mackay’s home floor, Head Coach Joel Khalu cemented his legacy with the club winning his second title as the Meteors coach during the NBL1 era.
Coaching and developing NBL stars within his Mackay program helped him elevate into an NBL-level coach, assisting Justin Tatum’s Illawarra Hawks last season during their Finals run.
Making a lasting impression, the Hawks offered Khalu a full position on the coaching staff for the upcoming NBL25 season - leaving his past NBL1 North season as his last.
Going out with a title was ultimately the plan, but Khalu explained the “job’s not done”, until Mackay claim the National Championship.
“Job’s not done, National Championship is the next one right?,” he told Jon Guarna.
“We spoke about a National Championship and what that would mean to this club and this community, so hopefully we can see what we can do.”
Reflecting on the win, the NBL1 North Coach of the Year explained that it was ‘championship or bust’ in his team’s eyes this season.
“This was the goal, anything less, if we didn’t get this done it would have been an underachievement,” he said.
Khalu explained Mackay’s defence has been their calling card all season, showing their “true “championship character”, across the Grand Final Series.
After nearly five years with the club, he said that Saturday night’s crowd was the biggest it’s ever been, explaining that giving the faithful fans one more championship was an honour before he departed for Illawarra.
“This crowd is unbelievable man, this is the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen in this place,” he said.
“They were right there with us for every possession, every play… it’s about these people, I’ve been blessed here in Mackay. As a general manager, as a head coach, the people here are amazing. Through the ups and downs, it makes me emotional thinking about all those people that have given so much.
“All of our volunteers, all of the people behind the scenes of this club, that makes my life easier.”
Support Mackay at the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals on the Sunshine Coast by getting your tickets below!
For further information on the official destination of the National Finals, head to www.visitsunshinecoast.com
