Shooting percentage of 43% so he should fit right in

(if you don't know bball that is pretty good btw)

We have many problems, but signing a 194cm basketballer to our Cat B spot isn't one of them.

You know we are going poorly when DLand is melting down because we picked a 'basketballer' in the list spot made for people who haven't played competitive footy for 3 years 🤣

14 hours ago, roy11 said:

Only 194cm! Give us a giant

James Tompkins @200cm, triple Olympic gold medallist arrived with a fanfare of publicity. Not First 18 ability but could put his back into it.

Edited July 1, 2025Jul 1 by Tarax Club

Good luck to him, but we don't have a great record in this space.

The worst thing we did for both Bradtke and Farris-White was to have them spending most of their first year at Casey warming the bench. At least we gave Farris-White an opportunity to get decent game time at SBMT in his second year.

Hopefully Berry is playing serious minutes somewhere next year, either at Casey or in a lower league.

1 hour ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

We have many problems, but signing a 194cm basketballer to our Cat B spot isn't one of them.

You know we are going poorly when DLand is melting down because we picked a 'basketballer' in the list spot made for people who haven't played competitive footy for 3 years 🤣

We've reached peak MFCSS.

1 hour ago, poita said:

Good luck to him, but we don't have a great record in this space.

The worst thing we did for both Bradtke and Farris-White was to have them spending most of their first year at Casey warming the bench. At least we gave Farris-White an opportunity to get decent game time at SBMT in his second year.

Hopefully Berry is playing serious minutes somewhere next year, either at Casey or in a lower league.

KFW and Bradtke were Forwards/Centers in basketball, usually stiffer athletes who use their height rather than movement and don't play as primary ball handlers.

Berry is a guard, the position requires a lot more movement and skills with and without the ball in hand.

Two of his brothers are punters in NFL and College Football, so there is clearly family pedigree when it comes to foot skills.

KFW and Bradtke were much more onthe raw-with-upside due to their height. Berry seems more likely to have a chance.

1 hour ago, mauriesy said:

We've reached peak MFCSS.

Nah, always scope to find another level!😉

13 hours ago, gs77 said:

Did you know that Pendlebury had a basketball background? 🤣

I think I heard BT mention this once.

On 03/06/2025 at 11:43, Whispering_Jack said:

Can he kick?

This is what it comes down to along with decent speed and agility.

Playing Bball you need to read the play quicker that in footy so he has more time to adjust to scenarios during a game i.e spoil, park mark, intercept etc.

If he's played the game until he was 15-16 he will pick the game up just like that.

Couldn't be any worse than Bradtke's son there, which i don't think he wasn't even part of no footy programs growing up that was the issue.

We need to be exploring these avenues now.

Basketball backgrounds have worked really well for us lately.

But sure why not give the guy a chance.

Hope he goes well.

Other sides have at least 6 200cm plus on their lists we only have two and they are old with only a couple of years left.

2 hours ago, seventyfour said:

KFW and Bradtke were Forwards/Centers in basketball, usually stiffer athletes who use their height rather than movement and don't play as primary ball handlers.

Berry is a guard, the position requires a lot more movement and skills with and without the ball in hand.

Two of his brothers are punters in NFL and College Football, so there is clearly family pedigree when it comes to foot skills.

KFW and Bradtke were much more onthe raw-with-upside due to their height. Berry seems more likely to have a chance.

Berry played AFL as a teenager and that is a big difference.

He is also not a skinny young ruckman hopeful, who is physically underdeveloped and knows little about the game.

36 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Berry played AFL as a teenager and that is a big difference.

He is also not a skinny young ruckman hopeful, who is physically underdeveloped and knows little about the game.

We actually watched him doing a few run-throughs and simple skills drills down at Gosch's a few weeks ago - we actually thought he was an Irish prospect. He was very athletic and has quite a stocky build for a basketballer. We are starting glass half-full, unusual for DL I know, but you heard it here first....Go Oscar!

6 hours ago, poita said:

Good luck to him, but we don't have a great record in this space.

The worst thing we did for both Bradtke and Farris-White was to have them spending most of their first year at Casey warming the bench. At least we gave Farris-White an opportunity to get decent game time at SBMT in his second year.

Hopefully Berry is playing serious minutes somewhere next year, either at Casey or in a lower league.

The model was different way back then, but essentially this is how Jim Stynes and Sean Wight started. Just based on the success of those two alone, I would say we have a fantastic record in this space.

I actually think we should be looking to pick up some soccer players - they’d fit right in at training…

Joking joking - welcome Oscar, looking forward to seeing what he can do!

1 hour ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

We actually watched him doing a few run-throughs and simple skills drills down at Gosch's a few weeks ago - we actually thought he was an Irish prospect. He was very athletic and has quite a stocky build for a basketballer. We are starting glass half-full, unusual for DL I know, but you heard it here first....Go Oscar!

Uhm… you saw him at Gosch’s? Why tf didn’t you tell me he was there?! You know I’m a stickybeak and that I simply have to know who every single person is at Gosch’s!!!

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

Berry played AFL as a teenager and that is a big difference.

He is also not a skinny young ruckman hopeful, who is physically underdeveloped and knows little about the game.

Bradke also played footy as a teenager and he was useless.

My hope that being a key defender, this Berry guy turns out similar to Mark Keane from the Crows.

10 hours ago, monoccular said:

Undoubtedly he can throw - could become our Cripps.

Surprised he don't go to Filth, PBP or Dogs then.

9 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

We have many problems, but signing a 194cm basketballer to our Cat B spot isn't one of them.

You know we are going poorly when DLand is melting down because we picked a 'basketballer' in the list spot made for people who haven't played competitive footy for 3 years 🤣

So you’re saying we got 99 problems but O Berry ain’t one?

8 hours ago, poita said:

Good luck to him, but we don't have a great record in this space.

The worst thing we did for both Bradtke and Farris-White was to have them spending most of their first year at Casey warming the bench. At least we gave Farris-White an opportunity to get decent game time at SBMT in his second year.

Hopefully Berry is playing serious minutes somewhere next year, either at Casey or in a lower league.

The claim only holds up if you ignore what Melbourne has gained from its Category B rookies:

• 2 All Australians,

• 2 Bluey Truscott winners,

• 1 Club Captain,

• 4-time leading goalkicker.

On 03/06/2025 at 12:02, stinga said:

If he hasn't played for 3 years, it makes him eligible for Category B so maybe. Too small for a ruckman so would have to be a key position player, or 3rd tall. Being 196 in basketball in the US means he would be giving away 4 inches to most opponents and considered comparatively small, which means he must be quick and agile. Both Max and Tracc came from basketball backgrounds. Having said that, our last 2 Cat B ex basketballers didn't work out - had all the skill but couldn't get the ball.

Jordan and Kobe size

20 hours ago, gs77 said:

Did you know that Pendlebury had a basketball background? 🤣

I'm surprised we almost made it to the second page before that exact phrase was used with that exact emoji.

7 hours ago, layzie said:

Basketball backgrounds have worked really well for us lately.

But sure why not give the guy a chance.

Didn’t Tracc miss his first season with an ACL injury from home basketball?? 😮

4 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Didn’t Tracc miss his first season with an ACL injury from home basketball?? 😮

No..