NBL1 Elimination Final

GAME DAY
Sunday 28 th July
ELIMINATION FINAL
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre
Show Court
VS
Men Tip-off @ 1:00pm
Follow the Melbourne Tigers on:
Melbourne Tigers
Basketball
@MELB_TIGERS
melbournetigersbasketball

BERTOCCHI PROUDLY SPONSORING MONIQUE CONTI
KICKZ101 PROUDLY SPONSORING JACK PURCHASE
NBL1 Men's team Physio - providing services to assist players at
trainings and at game

MEN’S ELIMINATION FINAL
PREVIEW
VS
The Melbourne Tigers Men’s side are making their long awaited
return to Finals basketball, after narrowly missing out on the
SEABL finals last year.
Melbourne tied for 4 th on the ladder but because of their head
to head record with Kilsyth finished in 5 th spot which has given
Melbourne another home game.
The Tigers will square off in the loser goes home elimination final
against the Bendigo Braves. The 2 sides met all the way back in
Round 1 where the Braves were able to sneak out a 4 point win.
Both sides added an impact import in the weeks afterwards with
the Tigers adding Mike Wells who has averaged 14.8ppg and the
Braves with Deonte Burton with 13ppg. Both players have had a
major impact on a lot of games in the tail end of the season.
Bendigo has the league leading scorer in Ray Turner and the
Tigers have the league leading rebounder in Dane Pineau both
who were teammates at the Sydney Kings last season.
This will be a thrilling contest that could come down the wire. If
the Tigers can control the boards through Dane and Nic Pozoglou
it will go along way into helping get the win.

MICKEY LUXFORD Q & A
You started playing basketball at the age of 4, what drew you to it?
My two older brothers were playing Basketball at the time, so it was just easy for mum to
have us all at the same venue playing the same sport.
Who were some of your favourite teams and players growing up?
When I was in my early teens, my favourite team used to be Melbourne Tigers. I loved
watching players such as Andrew Gaze, Leonard Copeland and Darryl Mcdonald. These
days I don’t really have a favourite as such. I like watching players more than following a
team. Some of my favourite players that I like to watch now are, Lebron James, Kyrie Irving
and my favourite of all Damian Lillard
You have played for Australia including being a part of the U17 team which won silver at
the 2012 World Cup, what was this experience like?
This experience would have to be one of my greatest sporting achievements. It was an
unbelievable experience having the opportunity to play with and against the best talent
around the world. It was also a special experience because my family was there in the
stands cheering our team on.
You’ve played with Dante Exum and Ben Simmons, do you follow their careers?
Yeah, I do follow their careers. I hope they both have long and successful careers.
How much training do you do per week?
As a team we train Monday and Thursday evenings. I would get up some extra shots on a
Tuesday and Friday. Also, I like to go to the gym 2-3 times a week.
You played in the AFL with the Geelong Cats how did you find that?
It was a once in a lifetime experience. I grew so much as a person, and learned so much
about myself during the 3 years. At times it was very challenging and scary, especially my
first year as it was my first time, I had ever been in a Football environment and played a
Football game. But all in all, I had an unreal time and have made some lifelong friends.
After spending a season with the Geelong Supercats you joined the Tigers how has the
transition been?
The transition could not have been any easier. Everyone (coaches, players, staff, fans)
has made me feel welcomed and apart of the club. I was also lucky that I have played
with and against some of my teammates through the years of Basketball

After spending a season with the Geelong Supercats you joined the Tigers how has the
transition been?
The transition could not have been any easier. Everyone (coaches, players, staff, fans) has
made me feel welcomed and apart of the club. I was also lucky that I have played with and
against some of my teammates through the years of Basketball
Your partnership with Mike Wells has been a big part of the Tigers success, what has it
been like sharing the backcourt with him?
It has been amazing; I love playing with Mike. We work hand in hand with each other. We
are very lucky that we are both point guards and that we can share the duties of bringing
the ball up the court. Personally, it took a few games to know what Mike’s game is like and
what his tendencies are, now that I know what his strengths are and he knows what mine
are, we are really working together and clicking.
How have you felt about your own form this season?
I have felt I have had a pretty solid and consistent season. I am happy with how it has gone
so far.
You hit a crucial 3 pointer against the Sandringham Sabres in round 5, which helped the
Tigers go on to get the win, do you get time to reflect on those moments?
At the time you don’t really get a chance to reflect because the game is still going. I reckon
when I get back into the rooms after the game, I get a chance to reflect for a few minutes
but then just move forward to the next game.
What have you thought about the Tigers performance this season?
I feel like it has been a successful season so far. Our aim was to make finals at the start of
the season, and we have ticked that box. Realistically, we could have made top 4, and
some of the team feel like we should have. however, that is not the case and we just need
to focus on getting the win against Bendigo this week,
This week it’s playoff time and the Tigers face the Bendigo Braves; how do you feel
about the contest?
I am feeling confident about this weekend's game. It would be a very tough contest. Even
though they finished 8 th on the ladder, they have a few very good players that we need to
stop.
Will your routine be the same for the playoffs?
My routine will still be the same for the upcoming playoff game
What do you enjoy doing away from basketball?
I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family. I really enjoy my job as a Disability Support
Worker as well.
What’s the plan for you after the season?
I will continue to work and train. Also, in November/December I am heading over to
America and the Caribbean with my girlfriend for a holiday.

Coach
Ass. Coach
Ass. Coach
Brad Pineau
Jay Lomer
David Peters
T. Manager Tony Parry
Physio
Men’s
No. Name Position Age
Lauren Palmer
Heig
ht
3 Nic Pozoglou Small Forward 23 198
4 William Hickey Guard 20 191
5 Jack Bines Forward 22 198
6 Max Viitala Small Forward 24 193
7 Mike Wells Point Guard 23 173
9 Mickey Luxford Point Guard 24 185
11 Daniel Kinkela Forward 21 203
12 Jack Purchase Forward 23 205
15 Van Merbin Forward 24 196
22 Dane Pineau Centre 24 206
24 Derrick McDonald Guard 35 190

Men’s
Number Name Position Age Height
34 Matthew Centre 24/12/91 208
Andronicos
35 Ray Turner Centre 24/01/90 206
24 Chris Hogan Forward 01/04/83 201
12 Jake Cowling Forward 2/10/91 196
5 Tanner Rayner Guard 24/07/97 190
31 Daniel Hansen Guard 27/02/94 194
10 Jordan Forward 19/3/95 193
3
Mangan
Jake Lloyd Guard 14/02/98 196
2 Matthew Guard 26/11/89 180
Bartlett
1 Deonte Burton Guard 26/7/91 185
15 Mathiang Muo Forward 3/4/87 196
20 Matthew Guard 07/03/89 186
Johnston
Coach
David Hogan
Asst. Coach
Justin Cass
Asst. Coach
Michael Gibbins
Asst. Coach
Taylor Bell
T. Manager Ian Watson

Player Profile
Name:
Nic Pozoglou
Playing number: 3
Position:
Guard / Forward
Age: 23
Birthplace:
Sydney
Nickname:
Poz
Occupation:
Basketball Player
Nationality:
Australian / Greek
Height (in CM’s): 196cm
Weight (in KG’S): 97kg
Facebook link:
Nic Pozoglou
Instagram name: @nicpozoglou
Previous playing Ballarat Miners / Illawarra Hawks
history:
Awards / State
NSW Metro U18’s
Representation:
Favourite AFL Team:
Favourite NBA Team /
Player:
Favourite Player
growing up:
Favourite Food:
Favourite Movie:
Funniest Teammate:
Sydney Swans
LA Lakers / Lebron James
Kobe Bryant
Schnitzel with chips and gravey
Inglorious Bastards
Dane Bogart

Last Week’s Results
Round 15
Women – Melbourne Tigers 72 def. by Eltham Wildcats 93
Men – Melbourne Tigers 82 def. Eltham Wildcats 70
Last Week’s Results
Elimination Final
VYCW – Melbourne Tigers 75 def. Kilsyth Cobras 62
VYCM – Melbourne Tigers 67 def. Ringwood Hawks 59
Next Week’s Games
Big V
Youth League Finals
Round 3
TBD
NBL1
Finals
TBD

WOMEN’S LADDER
Team Win Loss Percentage
BENDIGO 19 1 123.8%
GEELONG 17 3 124.2%
RINGWOOD 15 5 105.6%
KILSYTH 14 6 119%
KNOX 14 6 109.8%
NUNAWADING 12 8 108%
WAVERLEY 11 9 104.2%
DANDENONG 11 9 105.8%
ELTHAM 10 10 96.8%
ALBURY/WODONGA 9 11 97.3%
FRANKSTON 9 11 99.6%
BALLARAT 8 12 96.5%
MELBOURNE 8 12 97.1%
BA COE 6 14 87.2%
HOBART 6 14 89.7%
SANDRINGHAM 4 16 86.9%
LAUNCESTON 4 16 81.6%
DIAMOND VALLEY 3 17 84.9%

MEN’S LADDER
Team Win Loss Percentage
BALLARAT 16 4 118.3%
FRANKSTON 14 6 107.2%
NUNAWADING 14 6 109.7%
KILSYTH 12 8 102%
MELBOURNE 12 8 102.8%
GEELONG 12 8 101.3%
DANDENONG 11 9 104.1%
BENDIGO 11 9 102.4%
HOBART 10 10 98.7%
WAVERLEY 10 10 98%
DIAMOND VALLEY 9 11 97.9%
KNOX 8 12 96.3%
BA COE 8 12 95.6%
N W TASMANIA 8 12 96.5%
ALBURY/WODONGA 8 12 96.9%
ELTHAM 6 14 94.4%
RINGWOOD 6 14 94.8%
SANDRINGHAM 5 15 88%

The Melbourne Tigers would like to
thank their sponsors for all their
support