AG: It’s going to be an exciting time for Victorian basketball to have the new franchise coming in, and we are certainly looking forward to it They’ve got some lofty ambitions and when you consider some of the players that have already been mentioned they’re capable of putting a pretty formidable team on court almost immediately if it all comes off. Mark what about Luke Schenscher; it’s been talked about in the papers that he’s your number one player target. Schenscher’s a South Australian boy and has spent the last four years at the University of Georgia and two seasons ago he guided Georgia Tech to the NCAA final and would make for a great pick-up – what’s the likelihood of the Dragon’s getting the services of the big fella?

MC: He would be a great pick-up for us and I’m happy to confirm that we’re in negotiations with him and I’m reasonably confident that we should be able to get somewhere with Luke, we haven’t got his signature as yet, but we’re in discussions with him and they seem to be progressing pretty well at this stage so he’d be a good person to start with.

AG: How far down the track are you with establishing a coach, I’d imagine that’ll be one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make?

MC: We’re reasonably advanced in so much as looking at the candidates out there, and we’ve had a lot of interest both internationally and locally, including some ex-players locally on the scene.

We wouldn’t be against trying someone who hasn’t coached before. What we’re concerned with is getting someone with the vision and feel for the game and as such can go out there and deliver off and on the court.

MD: Have you made an approach to a former broken down Tiger at all?

MC: (laughs) I think it’d be a pretty big coup to get Andrew Gaze but I think he’s enjoying the break, and liking being away from playing. Is that true Andrew?

AG: Absolutely love it, you can’t get me away from that microphone in the commentary booth (laughs).

MD: Mark does it make things more difficult for you starting up the South Dragons if the Tigers are the reigning premiers?

MC: No I think it makes it better actually. I’m barracking for the Tigers and I’d love for them to win. Next season the home town derby is something I’m particularly looking forward to and I think the fans are as well.

There’s a lot of excitement about the derby’s coming back. I can remember the big games with people like Andrew Gaze, Mike Kelly and Tony Ronaldson giving it all in front of 15,000 fans – it was a fantastic atmosphere.