Sutherland coach reveals new team strategy for 2023

The Sutherland Sharks' new men’s head coach Patrick Williamson has revealed how his Sharks will play ahead of the 2023 NBL1 East season.

“The team’s been quite successful the last three years, making the each and every single year under Adrain (Dark), so we are looking to continue the strides and the progress the boys have made throughout three years,” he said. 

Williamson doesn’t want to break something that isn’t broken, but he plans to adjust the team’s style to use their athleticism. 

“One of my big aims is to keep the core group together,” he said. 

“[We are] looking to potentially pick up the pace in which we play, to create a lot more easy opportunities and to create more easy opportunities in the game for us.”

When asked about the roster, Williamson held his card close to his chest. Emphasising that the Sutherland juniors are the key piece to his squad. 

“I’m sure the club is looking forward to a lot of the same guys go round again, most of them are juniors which is exciting,” he said. 

“It’s very exciting to have the core group of guys back.” 

The team announced their first signing of 2023 is Lochlan Hutchinson. The former Sydney King was their key star last season averaging 17 points, five rebounds and five assists, leading the Sharks to the Semi-Finals against Maitland. 

Former coach and now Sharks Business Manager Adrian Dark said it's great to have Hutchison back in Sutherland.

“It's amazing that we can provide such a great platform for our local juniors to play at this elite level, we are thrilled to have a guard of Lochlan’s calibre re-sign with our club," Dark said.

"He is an elite defender and has the ability to make big plays. I know head coach Pat Williamson is very excited to have Lochlan back with us this season."  

Coach Williamson also spoke about the team’s preseason progress, stating that a lot of hard work will be put in to prepare them for the start of the 2023 NBL1 East season. 

“[We’ll] be getting on the court a couple of times, looking to go out for a couple of runs and get some fitness up,” he said. 

“We are going to up the pace when we play so having big and fit guys is a part of that. And getting a couple of preseason games in as well, to see what works, what doesn’t and what needs some tinkering.” 

See the full interview here. 

Feature image via: Steven Markham, Basketball NSW