The Seahawks notched their second loss for the season, going down 96-85 on the road in Melbourne. They trailed the whole game and were down 25 points at the final change, but a 30-point final term softened the blow.

Starling was the star for the away side, notching up a triple double, where a player secures double-digit returns in three of the five key match statistics. He had 34 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals. He also had four three-pointers. The boom recruit has secured a double-double in each of the Seahawks’ previous seven games. 

Coach Bobby Cunningham said they managed to “put some make-up” on the loss in the final quarter.  “We were outplayed and out-coached,” he said. 

“I made a couple of changes late in the last quarter that put us back in the game. I should have made them earlier so that’s on me.” 

“I love the way we fought back and never gave up on the game.” 

Cunningham said in the eight games already played this season the rebound count is what let the Seahawks down. On Saturday they had 18 offensive rebounds and 20 defensive boards, compared with Keilor’s eight and 33. 

“That’s where the ball game is decided,” he said. “They very rarely missed a shot or a rebound. That’s something we will need to work on. 

“Alex did what he did, which was great, but we have got to have people standing up and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.”

Cunningham said the team would be in a similar situation this season but his aim was to help the players though it.

“That’s my job as coach. We’ll have a good look at it on Tuesday, have a big training session on Thursday and be ready for Camberwell on the weekend,” he said. 

“We’ll be ready to play and go out and defend our home court.”