Keilor Thunder star Maddie Garrick believes in signs and things happening for a reason.
Having travelled across Australia and the world to play basketball, the chance to play in virtually her own backyard at Keilor was the perfect opportunity.
“I’ve got to the point of my career where I need to go for an opportunity that is the right fit and feel and Keilor fell into place being around the corner,” she said.
“It has been really good and I just needed a change of scenery. The opportunity was there and most teams rosters were full as I signed later in the process as I was set to have a short-term contract in Europe.
“[Thunder coach] Tom [Bandilovski] messaged me earlier in the year during the WNBL season. Tom wanted me and they had a free spot.”
Garrick said the opportunity to help the Thunder make its name in the National Basketball League 1 South competition was something that also attracted her to the club.
She said while it had been an up and down season on court for the Thunder, the support from the whole association had been amazing.
“The girls are great so far,” she said. “The community of Keilor itself has provided great support.
“It’s the first year and we’re in the middle of the pack. There’s been a few ups and downs, which just comes down to experience in the league.
“The last couple of games there’s been some exciting signs. The club and team can be really competitive, which is a good thing for next year.”
Having played in the NBL1 competition previously, Garrick said she had been keen to play in the competition to keep her fit and ready in the off season.
Her original plans included being part of Australia’s 3 x 3 team for the Asia Cup and Commonwealth Games, having been a key player of that team for a number of years.
Garrick was left out of the team for both those championships.
“Unfortunately they decided they wanted to go in another direction,” she said.
“It’s upsetting. Myself and two other players put a lot into 3 x 3 and put our heart and soul into it.
“We were basically cut after the first camp with not a lot of feedback. It’s been really difficult as the goal was the Commonwealth Games and Asia Cup.
“It’s not going to stop me improving and working back into the side.”
Garrick’s immediate focus is on helping the Thunder try to make finals. She said if they can put together four consistent quarters, they can get some good results in the run home.
“We’ve had lapses in games,” she said. “We’re confident we can step it up.”
Garrick won’t have any time to rest after the NBL1 season as she headed to Europe to take up a contract over there.
She will play a full season in Italy. It will be her second stint playing in Europe.
“I played a couple of months in Turkey in 2019, but this is my first full season playing over there,” she said.
“I’ve been building up my confidence here in the WNBL and getting the body right as Europe is a lot more demanding with more trainings and a longer season.
“I want to challenge myself physically and mentally.”
