How win impacts Phoenix import hunt

After a week where an injured starter was confirmed to miss the rest of the season, and a solidly performing import was surprisingly cut, few expected South East Melbourne to put in the kind of winning performance it did against Sydney on Sunday.

Development player Kody Stattmann was elevated to the main roster in place of the departed Will Cummings, while Luke Rosendale suited up in place of the injured Moller. Crucial bench wing Reuben Te Rangi was also absent from the game for personal reasons, which opened the door for Anzac Rissetto to suit up.

Despite the controversial and difficult week, the Phoenix rallied behind Mitch Creek and Alan Williams, and flipped their road form on its head with an exceptional victory over the Kings in Sydney.

Former NBL MVP Derek Rucker says Sunday’s win could alter who South East Melbourne target to replace Cummings.

“I thought the Phoenix did a really good job of being selective with the ball, but also I thought they defended really well. I thought they mixed it up and it was probably one of Mike Kelly’s best coaching performances,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“Does that impact who you bring in based on that performance? Maybe the pressure isn’t on as much as it was a few days ago to go out there and urgently find someone.

“What I thought two hours ago about that player choice is much different than what I think now. I think now they probably can go with a two-three type guy as opposed to a three-four.

“I think Kenyon does a good job of playing up. He can guard guys who are bigger than him, his impact was great today and that’s how I see it now. It’ll be interesting to see what they decide to do.

“Now it’s on to Tommy Greer and his administration with which way they go with this player.”

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The victory pushed the Phoenix above the Kings on the ladder to close out Round 10, however they lead the Kings and Wildcats on percentage alone at this mid-way point in the season.

Just two games currently separate second-place Tasmania from sixth-place Brisbane, and even the Illawarra Hawks are just three games adrift of the Bullets having played three fewer games.

Rucker believes South East Melbourne’s win could help raise the immediate self-belief in the team’s ability to compete at the business end of the season.

“I think the Phoenix showed what they are capable of,” Rucker said. “I think it probably gives them a short-term boost.

“Undermanned and with all the controversy that went on this week, they bounced back, they came here and they moved the ball really well offensively, they got the ball to the right players in the right positions and they were very efficient offensively and you see the result – a nice victory.

“I don’t think it’s going to impact their overall performance for the rest of the season but it may give them the belief they are a top four team and not just a Play-In team.”

South East Melbourne’s season continues on Thursday night when they take on Melbourne United.