The Advocate

Articles posted by The Advocate newspaper. The Advocate is our regions paper covering the entire north-west coast.

ALEX FAIR  THE ADVOCATE  The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder’s road trip weekend was not one to remember after losses to Albury-Wodonga and Ballarat. The double-header started poorly with an 89-70 to Albury and things improved on Sunday, but not enough for a win, falling to Ballarat 79-75. The Thunder have now lost […]

Road woes for the North-West Thunder

JARRYD McGUANE   THE ADVOCATE  North West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Sam Armstrong said his team had plenty to work on following their frustrating 92-68 defeat at the hands of the Hobart Chargers at the Devonport Basketball Stadium on Saturday night. The NW Thunder had no answer for guard Tre […]

Thunder has work to do after Chargers defeat

Game of The Week – N/W Tall Timbers Thunder v Hobart Chargers Saturday 14 April- 7:30pm @ Schweppes Arena The Tasmanian intrastate rivalry reignites on Saturday night with the latest instalment in the series between the N/W Tall Timbers Thunder and Hobart Chargers. Both teams hosted Kilsyth in Round 1 […]

Men’s Round Two Preview

BRAD COLE – THE ADVOCATE    A stunning second-half turnaround has seen the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder open its 2018 SEABL season in thrilling style with a 72-70 win over Kilsyth at Ulverstone on Saturday night. Down by 18 points in the early stages of the third quarter, the Thunder […]

Thunder find antidote to counteract Cobras

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE  Development has been the key word in Darcy Malone’s basketball career of late.  But the 23-year-old centre is ready to put all his learning into action this SEABL season after being recruited by the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder…   Standing at seven foot tall, Malone fills […]

Darcy Malone to play key role for North-West Thunder in ...

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   A desire to engage more of the community will see the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder return to the Devonport Recreation Centre for part of its 2018 SEABL campaign. Starting with the blockbuster intrastate clash with Hobart on April 14, the Thunder will play four […]

Devonport to host North-West Thunder for four SEABL games in ...

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE    North-West Tall Timbers Thunder import Jeremiah Ingram has capped off a fine debut season by taking out the club’s best and fairest award on Monday night. Winner: Jeremiah Ingram won the NW Thunder’s best and fairest award. Ingram polled 78 votes over the 24 games of […]

Jeremiah Ingram wins North-West Thunder best and fairest award

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have had their season finished in the most heartbreaking of fashion, going down by just one point to Dandenong in Saturday night’s SEABL first semi-final. Ben Richmond was one of six players in double figure for the North-West Thunder, but […]

Heartbreak for Thunder in SEABL semi-final thriller

BY BRAD COLE   THE ADVOCATE   As the fortunes of the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder improved during the 2017 SEABL season, so have the confidence levels of big man Chudier Pal.  Brought in as part of a complete overhaul of the roster, Pal is the first to admit that he struggled […]

Chudier Pal a key piece in North-West Thunder’s SEABL semi-final

BY BRAD COLE    THE ADVOCATE    It might be the same opponent with the same players at the same venue, but North-West Tall Timbers coach Sam Armstrong is expecting a different-looking Dandenong when the two teams meet in their SEABL first semi-final on Saturday night. The Thunder pulled off a memorable […]

North-West Thunder set for SEABL semi-final showdown with Dandenong

BY SEABL SOUTH CONFERENCE SEMI-FINAL 2 Dandenong Rangers (16-8) v N/W Tasmania (13-11), Dandenong Stadium, 8.00pm Saturday, August 12 Form Equal to Ballarat and N/W Tasmania, Dandenong won three of their last four games of the season but a defeat at the hands of the Thunder in their final match […]

Southern Conference Semi Finals Preview – Men’s

 BY SEABL The dramas started on Friday night when the North-West Tasmanian Thunder were told their early morning flight was cancelled. They knew it would add a bus drive to their day and an afternoon flight from Launceston to Melbourne followed by a long ride across the city to Dandenong […]

SEABL Men – Round 18 Report

BY JARRYD McGUANE AND BRAD COLE  THE ADVOCATE     North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Sam Armstrong is confident his side can get the job done in Saturday’s semi-final against Dandenong, after coming away with the 108-97 win against the Rangers on Saturday night.  Despite an interrupted travel schedule that saw the […]

North-West Thunder primed for finals rematch with Dadenong

BY BRAD COLE  THE ADVOCATE   Travel woes can’t stop Thunder The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have recorded one of the most memorable victories in the club’s history after defeating Dandenong 108-97 on Saturday night. While coming up against the south conference leaders was always going to be a test, the Thunder’s problem’s […]

North-West Thunder defeat Dandenong in SEABL clash

BY BRAD COLE   THE  ADVOCATE   There may be one round left in the regular season, but finals start on Saturday night for North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Sam Armstrong and his team when they head interstate to play Dandenong. Lone hand: Ahmad Starks had 33 points for the Thunder the last time […]

NW Thunder head to Dandenong for final SEABL roster game

The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder are finals bound after putting together one of its finest performances for the 2017 SEABL season. North-West Thunder guard Ahmad Starks had 23 points as his team booked a SEABL finals sport with a 112-73 win on the road over Bendigo. Picture: Cordell Richardson. In […]

Thunder make finals after smashing Braves

BY BRAD COLE  THE ADVOCATE    There maybe three games remaining in the 2017 SEABL roster season for the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder, but it’s the first one that is weighing heavily in the mind of coach Sam Armstrong. It comes on Saturday night in the regional Victorian city of Bendigo, where the […]

Win and win

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder may still be firmly in finals calculations, but a pronounced lift in standards is needed if it wants to mix with the SEABL elite according to coach Sam Armstrong. Bouncing: Ahmad Starks brings the ball down the court for the North-West Thunder […]

Thunder win but coach wants better

 BY CAMRON SLESSER (@camronslessor)  THE ADVOCATE   North-West Thunder play-maker Daniel Sepokas believes his side can’t let another opportunity slip ahead of its final home game of the season.  The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder will take on Canberra at Schweppes Arena this Saturday sitting in equal fourth position on the SEABL ladder with […]

North-West Thunder focused on booking finals spot ahead of Canberra ...

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   For the second time this season the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have been left embarrassed by its biggest SEABL rivals after Hobart scored an emphatic 88-65 victory at Ulverstone on Saturday night. Shining light on a dark night: Jeremiah Ingram gets two of his 24 points in […]

North-West Thunder suffer heavy SEABL loss to Hobart Chargers

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE   The North-West Thunder’s clash against their traditional rivals, the Hobart Chargers this Saturday will be a big occasion for the club on and off the court.  The highly anticipated SEABL match will also act as the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder’s annual fundraiser game for cancer […]

North-West Thunder’s clash against Hobart Chargers to honour Todd Nothrop

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE   The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder are ready to show their home fans just how far they’ve come this SEABL season when they take on rivals, the Hobart Chargers this Saturday. The Coastal side have stormed back into finals contention in recent weeks and come into […]

North-West Thunder have chance for redemption against Hobart Chargers

BY CAMRON SLESSER (@camronslessor) – THE ADVOCATE    The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have thrust themselves back into finals contention with another standout performance on the road.  The Coastal side have been one of the in-form teams of the SEABL competition in the last month, headlined by coach Sam Armstrong being […]

North-West Thunder climb to fourth with wins over Albury-Wodonga and ...

BY HAMISH GEALE – THE EXAMINER  North West Tall Timber Thunder completed a dream away trip on Saturday night by edging out Kilsyth Cobras 84-80. Point guard Ahmad Starks starred in the nail-biting win, sinking 28 points as the Thunder just managed to hold on after leading by as many […]

Thunder hold on for tight Victory

BY BRAD COLE – THE ADVOCATE   The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have bounced back from a poor third quarter to defeat Albury-Wodonga 88-80 in Friday night’s SEABL clash at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre. The visitors used a 25-16 second quarter to extend their two-point quarter-time lead into a handy […]

Thunder bounce back to grab vital win

BY CAMRON SLESSER (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE    You need to perform at your best consistently over four quarters to play finals at SEABL level.  That’s the opinion of North-West Tall Timbers Thunder captain Brad Simpson ahead of his side’s road trip to face Albury-Wondonga and Kilsyth this weekend.   The comment also follows […]

SEABL | Consistency the key for North-West Thunder

BY CAMRON SLESSER  THE ADVOCATE    The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder outscored Geelong by 15 points in the third term on Saturday night but have fallen just short of a remarkable win.  The Thunder went down to the Geelong Supercats at Schweppes Arena 85-92 in their round 13 clash but the deficit […]

SEABL | North-West Thunder show fight in loss to Geelong ...

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@camronslessor ) THE ADVOCATE    The last time the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder played against Geelong it was one of their finest performances of the 2017 season.  But coach Sam Armstrong believes his side had to be prepared for a Supercats team looking for revenge. The Thunder travelled to Victoria […]

SEABL | North-West Thunder wary of veteran side as Geelong ...

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@camronslessor ) THE ADVOCATE    Brady Armstrong’s recent form for the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder has showcased what impact the local brigade have had so far this SEABL season.  They may not play as many minutes as the starting five but Coastal talents in Armstrong, Kobe Jackson and Tre Armstrong have […]

SEABL | Armstrong having a big impact for the North-West ...

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   While results on the court appear to be heading in the right direction, North-West Tall Timbers Thunder chairman Tony Barker said the club is in the midst of challenging times off it. A decline in crowds and sponsorship so far this season has resulted in the Thunder feeling some […]

Thunder feeling pinch off court

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   Pulling off a second upset in as many nights against the SEABL elite proved one bridge too far for the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder as they fell to a 96-82 loss at home to Nunawading on Saturday night.  While there were flashes of the brilliance that […]

Spectres on point to ruin Thunder double

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder has scored arguably its best win for the season, defeating Geelong 92-87 on the road in Friday night’s SEABL game. In a game where the lead never grew above seven points for the whole game, the Thunder overcame foul trouble in both […]

Thunder’s roar helps upset Supercats

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFair85) THE ADVOCATE   Despite facing two daunting tasks this weekend, there is a level of confidence coming from those in charge of the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder. Coach Sam Armstrong on Thursday said he believed the improvement shown in recent weeks would again be on show on […]

North-West Thunder are growing after time together

By SEABL Friday 26th May – Geelong v N/W Tasmania While the Braves have knocked over Mt. Gambier and Nunawading in recent weeks, they could not get past Geelong who were serviced by Nathan Herbert’s 22 points and a near triple-double from DeMarcus Gatlin (19 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists). […]

SEABL MEN- ROUND 9 REPORT

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Sam Armstrong has been involved in some jaw-dropping offensive performances in his time as a player. Shooting star: 27 points from Jeremiah Ingram helped the North-West Thunder to an impressive win against Melbourne on Saturday night. Picture: Brodie Weeding. But […]

Thunder tear up paper Tigers

After their 1 point loss to Melbourne Tigers a few weeks ago at home the NW Tall Timbers Thunder avenged themselves on the road this weekend and defeated the Tigers by 42 points.  NW Tall Timbers Thunder 105 defeated Melbourne Tigers 65. Some stats from tonight’s game … Dan 29 points, 2 rebounds and 2 […]

A great win for the NW Tall Timbers Thunder on ...

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFair85) THE ADVOCATE    The search for consistency will intensify for the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder on Saturday against Sandringham. The Thunder will resume form their Easter break still reeling from their heartbreaking buzzer beater loss to the Melbourne Tigers, a result coach Sam Armstrong said had plenty of good and […]

SEABL 2017: Consistency quest for the North-West Thunder

BY CAMERSON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE    Ahmad Starks has been announced as the man to replace Akeem Richmond on the roster for the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder. It is a case of one American for another, with Starks, from Chicago, replacing Richmond, who returned home last week due to a […]

North-West Thunder sign Starks as import replacement

BY CAMERSON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE    The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder seemed to be in control with the clock counting down on Saturday night.  But an incredible buzzer beating three-pointer from Melbourne Tigers guard Tom Wilson broke the hearts of players and fans at Schweppes Arena.  The Thunder welcomed Australian basketball […]

North-West Thunder lose as Melbourne Tigers hit buzzer beater

BY CAMERSON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE  Mason Bragg said his focus for 2017 was to show the Perth Wildcats his impressive debut season in the NBL wasn’t a fluke. The Burnie product joined the Wildcats in November last year in what was supposed to be a two week trial.  The club […]

NBL | Mason Bragg reflects on his whirlwind debut season ...

BY CAMERON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE  The man described as the greatest basketball player Australia has ever produced will visit the North-West this weekend.  Andrew Gaze has had one of the most impressive basketball careers for an Australian having won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999 […]

SEABL | Andrew Gaze to visit Tasmania as Melbourne Tigers ...

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE   The Tall Timbers North West Thunder have rebounded from their horror start to the 2017 SEABL season, toughing it out for a 86-79 win over Frankston at Ulverstone on Friday night. After looking like running away with an easy victory midway through the third quarter, the […]

Thunder hold off Blues to score first victory

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFair85) THE ADVOCATE  Tall Timbers North-West Thunder coach Sam Armstrong is on the hunt for new import with a family illness forcing Akeem Richmond back to the US. Richmond had played all three of the Thunders’ matches this season, averaging 13 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. The 25-year-old […]

North-West Thunder searching for a new import to replace Akeem ...

BY CAMERON SLESSOR (@camronslessor) THE ADVOCATE  The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have named their leadership group for 2017 with two new recruits joining an experienced campaigner in the role.   Brad Simpson will once again be an on-court leader taking on the captaincy role for the 2017 SEABL season while American import […]

North-West Thunder name leadership group for 2017 SEABL season

BY BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE Perth guard Mason Bragg is still pinching himself at thought of being forever known as a NBL premiership player.  The 23-year-old, who made his debut in November, picked up a championship ring on Sunday after the Wildcats completed a 3-0 series sweep over Illawarra.  After […]

Wild times for Bragg

A testing double-header to begin the upcoming SEABL season was just what coach Sam Armstrong was hoping for.  The 2017 SEABL season fixtures were released on Thursday with the North-West Tall Timbers Thunder set to take on Kilsyth and Tasmanian rivals the Hobart Chargers in the opening round.  The upcoming season […]

North-West Thunder face challenging start to 2017 SEABL season

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFair85) THE ADVOCATE  Chudier Pal has been unveiled as the North-West Thunder’s fourth and final signing for the 2017 SEABL season. The 25-year-old, 206 centimetre Perth Wildcats development player has had a US College career playing for UNC Asheville and Roane State Community College.  The power forward/centre […]

NW Tall Timbers Thunder name their final recruit for 2017 ...

The North-West Thunder has added some firepower to their line-up with the addition of two new recruits for season 2017.  Australian point guard Daniel Sepokas and American import Akeem Richmond have joined the SEABL team as Coach Sam Armstrong’s first new additions following his appointment.  Armstrong said the loss of point guard […]

North-West Thunder add firepower with first two signings ahead of ...

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFAIR85), THE ADVOCATE North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas admits he is proud of the fact that his team has proven it can match it with the best in the SEABL. But at the same time close enough is not good enough for Thomas. Reflecting on another tight loss, last […]

North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas keen to take a big ...