DEFENSIVE powerhouse Alex Starling wants to impart his experience on his new Warrnambool Seahawks’ teammates and lead the team to back-to-back Big V finals campaigns.
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The American import will train with his new club for the first time tonight in readiness for the division one side’s season-opener against Altona Gators on March 15.
Starling, a one-time AFL international rookie prospect, arrives at the Arc fresh from a dominant Central Australian Basketball League season where he averaged 20.5 points and 10.4 rebounds a game for championship-winning side Woodville Warriors.
He won the CABL’s most valuable player award, was named in the all-star five and earned best-on-court honours in the grand final.
The Bethune-Cookman University graduate — at 26 and with National Collegiate Athletic Association division one experience — hopes to mentor the Seahawks’ promising talls, including Liam Killey and Jeremy Bolden.
“One of the reasons for my attraction to play here is there are so many young players,” Starling said.
“I know they have targets and drive within them.
“I can shine a little bit of my experience and pass it on.
“I am happy to be here and definitely excited about the upcoming season and expect some really big crowds I have been hearing about.”
Starling said he received offers from SEABL clubs following his standout CABL campaign but had connections with Warrnambool and was content with his decision to join the Seahawks.
“For me it is about comfort and being at a place where you’re wanted and appreciated,” he said.
“To win — that is my mentality, play to win it all.
“With everything the team was able to accomplish last year and with myself being able to come in, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Starling returned from a two-month visit home to the United States last Tuesday.
The Florida native, who arrived in Warrnambool on Friday night, said he embraced the Australian lifestyle.
“I love it, I absolutely love it,” he said.
“It’s very easy going, very relaxed.
“I am from Miami and most of the time people think that’s South Beach but there is more to Miami than that.
“There are rough, tough neighbourhoods as far as poverty and crime, and I am able to get away from that.”
Starling’s athleticism caught the attention of football scouts in 2012 and he trialled with Sydney under then-coach Paul Roos in a bid to earn an AFL contract.
Starling remains in contact with Roos and caught up with the Melbourne coach last week.
“It was very humbling,” Starling said of his time at the Swans.
“Footy here is a big sport and the top-notch level is AFL.”
Starling trained with SANFL side Port Adelaide Magpies at times last year but said his focus was on basketball.
