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Men’s division one basketball final preview: CBC v The Franchise

Headshot of Rory Coleman-Heard
Rory Coleman-HeardKalgoorlie Miner
CBC's Nathan Vince and The Franchise's Russell Hurst.
Camera IconCBC's Nathan Vince and The Franchise's Russell Hurst. Credit: Kalgoorlie Miner/Kalgoorlie Miner

Collegians

Collegians’ division one men are done with finishing second.

They’ve played The Franchise in the last four top-tier grand finals and lost three times — 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

But CBC veteran Rob Thomson believes the vibe is different this time around.

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Speaking ahead of tonight’s title-decider at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium, Thomson said the Collegians had harnessed their lingering disappointment during a late-season form surge.

“We’re sick of losing, that’s for sure,” he said. “But I think that feeling really helps us to be a lot more focused, over the last three or four weeks in particular.

“In the past we’ve probably been a little bit complacent but I think this year we’re a lot more focused to get the job done.”

CBC will enter the fixture brimming with belief, having beaten The Franchise comfortably in their last two meetings.

While the Franchise still lead the win-loss ledger 3-2 this season, Thomson is confident his team have found a method of stymieing the two-time reigning premiers.

The Franchise

It has taken just a handful of years for The Franchise and Collegians to develop an engaging rivalry in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association division one men’s competition.

As much should be expected, given the two teams will play in their fifth consecutive top-tier grand final at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium tonight.

But The Franchise star Russell Hurst, pictured, who founded the club in 2012, said his teammates weren’t getting caught up in the narrative.

For them, the prospect of a third flag in three years carries far more weight.

“The Franchise and CBC have always had really competitive games throughout our time in the league,” Hurst said.

“I think competition in local sport is good. Without that competition, sport sort of loses its meaning. But at the end of the day, everyone on our team just wants to win.

“I’m sure CBC will be thinking the same thing as well. They’ll come out and do what they need to do to beat us.”

Among the more nimble sides in the competition, Collegians have had success exposing teams in transition, particularly after the arrival of rebounding machine Majier Garang.

However, playmaker Ethan McGhie is confident The Franchise have the tools to shut down CBC’s most productive tactic.

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