It will be a fresh-looking Keilor outfit that will attack the coming men’s Big V basketball season.
The Thunder will be led by Pete Godfrey, who has taken up the head coaching role.
Godfrey brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, having worked more than 40 years in the basketball industry. His most recent position was as coach at Kilsyth, where he led the club for more than 300 games.
Godfrey said the similarities in the way Keilor and Kilsyth looked at developing juniors was one of the main things that attracted him to the Thunder job.
“I think it is very important to put a lot of time, energy and effort into growing your own players,” he said. “Then you can top up or add players.
“What Keilor do, that really fits my kind of style.
“Having a big cheque book and signing players that have no allegiance … for the club, for the singlet and the colours, has no interest for me.
“I think it is really important to be able to develop through your juniors.”
The youth focus doesn’t mean the Thunder isn’t setting itself up for a tilt at the finals this year.
Godfrey is confident the wins will come as the chemistry in the playing group grows.
“It is all about chemistry, buying in, understanding the system, playing unselfishly and playing as a team,” he said.
“For me finals are a genuine prospect and should be our aspiration. It is not win at all costs … wins will come if you get everything else right.”
In a big boost for the club, Keilor will welcome back Andrew Kaban for another season. Kaban was nominated in the division 1 player of the year category last year.
He will be joined by fellow returning stars Liam Glascott and Mitch Lukey.
The only main regular from last year who will not return for Keilor is Jacob Coleman-Bock, who has been sidelined because of injury.
Godfrey is hoping to add one more big man to the roster.
Keilor will begin its 2016 campaign with a home match against Melbourne University later this month.
Liam Twomey
