The teenage guards will miss a chunk of the statewide competition’s season with Crocs’ representative commitments, which include the China-based FIBA Asia Cup in April.

But Gainey is confident exposure against accomplished players at Big V level will help with their preparation for their international debuts.

The division one-ranked Seahawks will host Latrobe City Energy at the Arc on Saturday night. 

“I think it will help them because they need to get used to bigger bodies,” Gainey said.

“For their age they are top-notch kids but playing against men is a lot different.

“They still have a lot to learn but the faster they learn, the better in the long run.”

Gainey said the Seahawks would “still rely heavily on Xavier Johnson-Blount and Alex Gynes to do the heavy lifting”.

Johnson-Blount – a Big V all-star five member in 2017 – has returned to Australia from America for a third season.

Gynes has overcome a back injury which impacted him last year.

The Seahawks have lost teenage tall Brock Carter but gained the experienced Simon O’Keefe.

Playing mentor Gainey said he was ready to return to the coaching hotseat after a break.

“Even with previous coaches in Matt (Alexander) and Bobby (Cunningham) I still had a voice anyway, so it’s no different,” he said.

The Mermaids will start their division one return against the Energy.

“They are all really excited and a little nervous at the same time, but nerves are good,” coach Louise Brown said.

“We have a squad of 17 or 18 girls and there’s quite a few under 18 girls training now so hopefully over the course of the season they’ll be given an opportunity to start and develop.

“That was the whole purpose of getting the (senior) Mermaids back up (12 months ago), to give the juniors something to aspire to.”

Three players – forward Grace Rodgers, guard Soraya Kearney-Knox and centre Alana Strom – will make their Big V debuts in round one.

Brown is still awaiting clearance from Basketball Australia to play Danish teenager Camilla Christiansen and expects it to be some weeks before she is eligible. The Mermaids tip off at 6pm with the Seahawks from 8pm.