WARRNAMBOOL Seahawks will take a full squad for their Big V division one season opener against Craigieburn Eagles tonight.
Seahawks co-coach Tim Gainey said all 12 players, including star American import Brandon Macklin, were likely to get game time.
“Since it is the first game and pretty much everyone is debuting I thought I’d give everyone an opportunity,” Gainey said.
“I don’t know if they’ll all get much playing time.”
The Seahawks take a new-look roster into the season, with Gainey, 29, Macklin, 25, and Justin Wallace, 20, complemented by a host of teenage prospects.
Gainey said he and co-coach Rebel Noter were yet to decide on a starting five.
“It’s evenly matched. We probably won’t have a starting five until the start of the game,” he said.
“We’ll look at all the options. We will change the starting line-up three or four times throughout the year because the boys are so close.”
Macklin, a 201-centimetre power forward-centre, arrived in Australia on Tuesday and has trained twice with his new teammates.
Gainey said Macklin had settled in well and was eager to impress in his first hit-out in Seahawks’ colours.
“We’ll get high energy from Brandon,” he said.
“He’s very vocal so the young boys will pick up on that energy I hope.”
Craigieburn won the 2012 Big V division two title and was promoted.
“Their players I did know have gone. Their point guard is gone and one of their shooters,” Gainey said.
“It’s an unknown for both of us. We have debutants and so do they.”
The Seahawks are expected home about 2am on Sunday, with the game tipping off at 8.15pm at Craigieburn.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au