The Advocate

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

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 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 ...

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFAIR85), THE ADVOCATE SATURDAY’S home clash against Geelong will be the North-West Thunder’s Todd Nothrop memorial game for this season. The game is played in the memory of former state junior basketballer and Ulverstone point guard Nothrop, who died at the age of 23 in 1995 after a long battle with […]

North-West Thunder to host Call to Arms match this weekend

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFAIR85), THE ADVOCATE North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas is confident his injury-hit side can cope with the challenge that Eastern Conference leaders Bendigo present on Saturday as they look to celebrate Mason Bragg’s 100th match with a win. And it is Bragg who looks set play an important role. […]

Mason Bragg set to play a key role for North-West ...

BY BRAD COLE, THE ADVOCATE It will hardly go down as one of their most convincing results, but for North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas, a win is a win. The Thunder stayed in the SEABL South conference top four with a 85-78 win over Kilsyth at Ulverstone, but the margin […]

Late Cobra bite foiled

BY BRAD COLE, THE ADVOCATE Once loved by the North-West Thunder fans for his three-point prowess, Tom Wright has returned to haunt his old side in Hobart’s 98-94 overtime thriller on Saturday night. The 27-year-old, who played for the team in 2013 before transferring to the arch enemy, nailed two wide-open […]

Wright returns to sink Thunder

BY BRAD COLE, THE ADVOCATE The North-West Thunder and Hobart have produced one of the most dramatic Tasmanian derbies in recent memory, with the Chargers prevailing 98-94 in an overtime thriller at Ulverstone on Saturday night.  Scores were locked at 82-all at the end of regulation after Thunder import Gary Johnson narrowly missed […]

Thunder go down in overtime thriller

BY BRAD COLE, THE ADVOCATE A heavy week of analysis has North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas confident they can find a plan to shackle Hobart’s potent offence on Saturday night. Thomas opted not to attend the NWBU finals on Tuesday to watch several of his players go around, instead staying at […]

Big Study

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE The Thunder got the points against their top four rival 87-80 at  Kilsyth Sports Centre, led by Garret Jackson (29 points), Gary Johnson (22) and Brad Simpson (17). The Thunder started strongly to lead by seven at the first change and pushed that margin […]

Thunder confident ahead of Hobart Chargers rematch

BY BRAD COLE, THE ADVOCATE Hobart coach Anthony Stewart believes his star-studded guards can give his team the edge when they meet rivals North-West Thunder on Saturday night. The second Tasmanian derby in 2016 is set to be one of the best yet, with the Chargers sitting atop the South Conference and […]

Star Edge

BY ALEX FAIR (@AJFAIR85), THE ADVOCATE North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Phil Thomas believes his side are lacking confidence and he’s unsure why. Following their third straight loss with a 30-point hammering at the hands of an impressive Mount Gambier on Saturday night, Thomas said the Thunder needed to lift their standard. […]

North-West Thunder back on track with road trip wins

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Phil Thomas believes his side are lacking confidence and he’s unsure why. Following their third straight loss with a 30-point hammering at the hands of an impressive Mount Gambier on Saturday night, Thomas said the Thunder needed to lift their […]

North-West Thunder lacking confidence following 30-point loss

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE Phil Thomas believes he has a very resilient group of players this season. The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach is confident his side can bounce back at home following two “uncharacteristic” losses on the road. The Thunder were beaten convincingly in both games on […]

Thunder rematch v Mount Gambier at home

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder went down in their first of two matches on the road this weekend, against powerhouse Mount Gambier. The Thunder started well and only trailed by two at the first break before the Pioneers got on top in the second […]

Thunder go down to tough Pioneers

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE North-West Tall Timbers Thunder coach Phil Thomas says he’s well aware of the challenge his side will face on the road this weekend. The Thunder are set to take on Mount Gambier on Friday night who are one of the best teams in the competition […]

Thomas aware of task

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE North-West Thunder star Garrett Jackson said his side are aiming to do something they were yet to do so far this season when they travel to take on another powerhouse of the competition. His side are aiming to get two back-to-back wins on the road as the […]

Thunder’s double plan

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE It was only two weeks ago that the Thunder went down to Brisbane on the mainland but the Coastal side were too strong at home, defeating the Spartans 94-88 on Saturday night. Garrett Jackson lifted for the Thunder to guide them to the hard-fought win, […]

Thunder down Spartans to earn sweet revenge

BY CAMERON SLESSOR (@CameronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE The North-West Thunder are preparing for their biggest challenge so far this SEABL season. They take on a team that coach Phil Thomas described as “the tallest and strongest team in the league”. The Thunder welcome the Brisbane Spartans to Schweppes Arena on Saturday […]

Thunder set for challenge against “tall and strong” Brisbane

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE A resurgent fourth quarter effort wasn’t enough as the North-West Thunder went down in a heart-breaker on Saturday night. The Thunder welcomed the Canberra Gunners to Schweppes Arena and despite outscoring the Gunners 20-11 in the last quarter, went down 79-84. US import Gary […]

Thunder show fight in loss

BY ALEX FAIR (@AjFair85), THE ADVOCATE North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas says his charges have focused this week on ensuring their second quarter fade out against Brisbane does not become a regular occurrence. Thomas was speaking in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash with Canberra at Schweppes Arena. Read the full article here

North-West Thunder ready for visit from Canberra

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE Gary Johnson believes the North-West Thunder are going to be hard to stop come finals time. The US import has found impressive form in his debut season with the Thunder and believes the team have what it takes to challenge this SEABL season. Read […]

Thunder hard to stop

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE North-West Thunder coach Phil Thomas believes the Brisbane Spartans are the best team his side have come up against. Read the full article here

Mixed results on the road for NW Thunder

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder made a winning start to their second road trip of the season in Canberra on Friday night. Up against Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence side in their first of two matches this weekend, the Thunder were too strong for the […]

Thunder storm away to take a comprehensive win

BY CAMRON SLESSOR (@CamronSlessor), THE ADVOCATE The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have secured another win at home as they downed the Dandenong Rangers in a physical encounter on Saturday night. Read the full article here

Thunder Win At Home In Physical Encounter

BY ALEX FAIR, THE ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER. The North-West Thunder are braced for a challenging encounter against Dandenong at Schweppes Arena on Saturday. Dandenong will enter their Tasmanian road trip with a 3-3 record, while the Thunder are 4-2 after their 14 point win over Frankston last weekend. Read the full article here […]

North West Thunder bracing for tough contest against Dandenong

BY CAMERON SLESSOR, THE ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER The North-West Tall Timbers Thunder have notched another home win, downing Frankston by 14 points on Saturday night. The Thunder never looked in trouble as they held a 14-point buffer at the main break and were able to hold onto it until the final buzzer […]

Thunder too good for visiting Frankston

By ALEX FAIR, THE ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER The North-West Thunder are building a culture of resilience after a yet another tight SEABL victory last week, says coach Phil Thomas. ‘’It shows we are a team that can handle those pressure situations,’’ Thomas said on Thursday as he looked back on last week’s […]

Tight wins have been good for North West Thunder