Turnage prepared for hostile Grand Final rematch

Feature image via: Halim Mellick

While Heritage Round celebrates the rich history of state basketball in Australia, this weekend will see the first continuation of a new rivalry. 

The NBL1 West men’s Grand Final rematch between the championship-winning Buccaneers and the Joondalup Wolves will take place in Geraldton, for what is one of the most anticipated games of the season. 

In the six-point loss at Bendat Basketball Centre, Geraldton conquered the West by overcoming a 12-point lead – making history in front of a sold-out crowd. 

While both rosters this season have been retooled, there will still be plenty of bad blood between these two sides.  Especially given the Geraldton crowd will be able to let all their feelings be known in the loud Active West Stadium. 

In February, Joondalup superstar CJ Turnage said this game was his most anticipated one of the season.

“We are trying to win it, we were one game away,” he said on the Too Short For The League podcast. 

Still fresh in his mind, he described the loss as “really heartbreaking to watch it fall apart like that,” citing missed layups and free throws as the difference between championship glory. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBL1 (@nbl1)

Turnage explained that the Buccaneers faithful who travelled down were extremely passionate, giving him plenty of motivation for the rematch on Saturday night. 

“They did a lot of talking after they won that ‘chip,” he said. 

“There’s definitely going to be some tension in that game, but I feel them. They won the ‘chip, they wanted to talk some s***, it is what it is.

“I don’t hold any grudges… but it’s time to play when we play them for sure, especially when we go up there, their crowd is going to give us hell. We gotta be ready.” 

The top-of-the-ladder Buccaneers will host the third-placed Wolves on Saturday, streaming from 7:00pm AWST live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.