Picture: TREVOR JACKSON
THERE is a new Daly at the Mount Gambier Pioneers and he seems as committed to success as captain Tom.
Younger brother Sam joined the Pioneers for the first home game of the Premier League season and impressed.
His late arrival was due to commitments with Sydney in the NBL, with the Kings falling short of a grand final playoff.
However, his time in Sydney is sure to add to his value for the Pioneers.
Sam just finished his second season as a development player with the Kings and said there was probably no better environment to be, in terms of progression and being around the highs and lows of professional sport.
“We had talent in every spot,” he said.
“They were some of the best players the league has seen – Andrew Bogut, Jerome Randall, Kevin Lisch.
“The reason I went back as a development player was to be around Jerome and Kevin.
“Kevin is a proven winner, he does it on both ends, he is the definition of a professional.
“I was like a sponge around there.”
It was an interesting decision for Sam to join Tom at the Pioneers.
Tom was the established captain and point guard of one of the most successful clubs in SEABL history.
There was a new era beginning, with the Pioneers almost lost to the sport, before an 11th-hour decision saw them accepted into the Premier League out of Adelaide.
Just two players from the core group remained, leaving some big holes to fill.
Sam stepped up and has taken the challenge on, with a clear focus on success.
“It has been like Tom’s team for a long time and they have had a lot of success with him at the point,” Sam said.
“I did not want to tread on his toes, but now that we are here together I think it is pretty dangerous for other teams to have two similar players.
“The main reason I came here was because I know Richo (coach Richard Hill) puts a lot of effort into this.
“He knows the NBL pretty well which I am still trying to crack.
“He is really good with player development.
“I knew success is a given with this club, that is the culture, but to develop with Richo day in, day out is one of the main reasons I came here.”
To play alongside Tom in round three of the Premier League was not unusual for Sam, as the two had been in a similar situation at Sturt back in their younger years.
“It felt like déjà vu,” Sam said.
“When we were at Sturt our junior club, he was the captain and had been there a few years.
“They had some success and I was probably 15 or 16 coming in and playing a few minutes off the bench.
“Even though we typically play the same positions, to play off the ball a little bit for me will be really good this year.
“I’m excited to play a new role, then at the same time give Tom a break, even when he is on the floor, just from bringing the ball up.”
Once the Pioneers were accepted into the Premier League, American import players were flown over to fill the roster, young players were given the chance to stand up and Brad Rathjen – another
point guard – also returned to the game.
When Sam came along it created a team with three high-quality point guards, but also the chance to add more versatility to those players.
“With me being a bit taller it will naturally force me to guard their taller players,” Sam said.
“I’m really looking forward to matching up with the other teams’ three man, to do a bit more rebounding,” Sam Daly said.
“I think that will add another string to my bow going back to the NBL.”
Sam’s first game for the Pioneers against the Southern Tigers was somewhat overshadowed by that of Tom.
The Mount Gambier captain finished the game with a cool 40 points.
Sam manged 23 of his own, but said it was a pleasing game to watch of a player he has always admired.
“It felt like he (Tom) was always there to step up and make a play or a shot when we needed it,” he said.
“It reminded me how good he really is.
“I would be the first one to back him up and say he should have been in the NBL for a longer time than he was.
“He seems to do that every year where he comes out and explodes to show how classy he is.
“It is testament to how hard he works.
“I have always looked up to him for that work ethic.”
But for the latest Daly in the Mount Gambier colours, there is one other focus for this season and that lies around the success of the club.
“When I played for Kilsyth last year we were able to beat Mount Gambier both times and both times they had injuries,” he said.
“We walked out of those games thinking we were pretty lucky to go two and zero against such a good team.
“I absolutely want to play a major role in the team’s success this year.
“When I think of Mount Gambier I think they are going to be there in the grand final every year – that’s just how it is.
“I would love to help build on last year in the new league and get back to finals and winning.”
