Petrik: Leading Rockingham to back to glory

By Lachlan Everett for NBL1.com.au

One of Australia’s great coaches embedded himself into the history of the NBL1 last season.

Ryan Petrik, the head coach of the men’s Rockingham Flames, led his team to the inaugural Coles Express NBL1 National Title last season – without their conference MVP Devondrick Walker. 

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Petrik managed to bring back the entire team in the 2023 season, besides Wildcats legend Greg Hire. While the culture Hire sets may be missed, the championship core remains intact -- and they have also added a key import. 

“The only changes to the top eight we've made are adding an import [Jeremy Combs] to replace Greg (Hire), and that's been the beauty of the roster,” he said.

“The last three or four years, we've really made two changes max to our top eight players, the last three offseasons. So it's the continuity of the program, obviously, we've got a lot of talent — but the guys just know how to play with one another and they know how to make their reads of one another.”

“They know when it's time to go. And when it's time to get serious, they know each other's strengths and weaknesses. They know the offensive system and the defensive system inside and out. So they can make random reads on the fly. And we don't need to call any kind of audibles for him. Because they can do it themselves. That's been the biggest strength of the program.”

(Sports Imagery: Petrik celebrating NBL1 West Championship)

Their MVP Devondrick Walker said he’ll be even better than he was last season, which included a scoring title, NBL1 West All-Star Five appearance, Conference MVP, Finals MVP and a contract with the Brisbane Bullets. 

While that may be hard to believe given his 2022 resume alone, coach Petrik also echoed the sentiment. 

“It sounds arrogant, but it's hard to see how we're not better,” Petrik said. 

“Greg missed half of last season missed 40% of the season with Australian commitments (3x3) and other work commitments. This year we have an import, replace him and play in theory 100 percent of the time.”

“The other one was obviously Justin Beard, he had osteitis pubis last season. So he only played eight games total, which includes the national tournament. So obviously this offseason, he's healthy and Beard is so, so important to what we do.

“And then obviously the third one is Marty (Marshall) Nelson’s and Devondrick Walker's second year in the program. Marty played in the finals last year, in both the NBL1 West Finals and the NBL1 National championships he played with a broken wrist. 

“So obviously you gotta have a slice of luck to get healthy at the right of the year. But having Justin Beard back and having an import replace Greg, having those two star players with more experience with the boys in the system. We should be around the mark again hopefully.” 

Petrik has had some amazing captains and role models on the court as a coach, the likes of Sami Whitcomb, Lauren Schref and Dacree Garbin have all been leaders within Petrik’s system.

However, he said that his Flames captain Ryan Godfrey ‘the Heart and Soul of Rockingham’, has been one of his best. 

“He's an adult in the room. To win finals you need grown-ass men, so to speak. You don't win with kids, you win with adults and he's the ultimate adult. He's the consummate professional,” Petrik said.

“He's very quiet, he doesn't say a lot. So when he talks, he has substance. If he ever gets annoyed, then something is critically wrong. 

“Every one of our top eight guys is an AIS guy, [they are] state representatives. One’s an NBL player and one’s an NBL-level import – like we've got stars everywhere. 

“So Godfrey picks these moments, he knows when he's gonna go after and when and when not to, so he’s super effective. Quiet, humble, loves the club and leads Rockingham. And when he wants to go, it's hard not to follow.”

(Sports Imagery: Petrik and Godfrey embracing) 

There is obviously going to be a target on the Flames’ back this season, not only as the champions of the West but as the champions of the competition. But coach Petrik says there’s less pressure on his Flames to repeat than there was last season, as they fell short in the 2021 Grand Final to the Perry Lakes Hawks. 

“Last year, there was more pressure because we made the Grand final the year before and the guys had never won,” he said.

“So obviously with the roster, we had we said 'when will we win this bloody thing?'. So for now to have won it, and then to have gone into the national tournament with no Devondrick and Marty with a broken wrist, and to win that as well.”

“Obviously, we're coming back with a better team with a more experienced team this time around. Like I know there's gonna be a target on our back, but I don't think the guys will care too much.” 

The Rockingham Flames have a significant test in Round 1, playing on the road against the Willetton Tigers on Friday in the NBL1 West Game of the Week at 8:30 pm AWST, streaming Live & Free on Kayo Freebies here. 

And on Saturday, the Flames will host the revamped Joondalup Wolves – where they’ll be presented with their Coles Express NBL1 National Champions rings in front of the Rockingham faithful from 8:00 pm via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

Feature image via: Ian Knight Photography