Leonard wary of Pioneers

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG Supercats are sitting at least five wins ahead of their nearest rival with a game in hand.
The Supercats’ average winning margin is more than a convincing 20 points per game.
The reigning South East Australian Basketball League backtoback premier is on the verge of its 20th consecutive victory, stretching back to August, and a 150 win/loss start to the 2007 season.
But Supercats veteran Jarrod Leonard still believes that challenges remain.
The fact Mt Gambier – Geelong’s opponent tomorrow night at home – holds the league’s second worst record (410) this season fails to sway his thoughts.
“Obviously, there’s a couple of things that keep us motivated – the winning streak is one,” Leonard said.
“Playing at home, we also set goals at the start of the year that we wanted to improve on last year and one of those was to win every game at home.
“To do that, this week is no different.
“They’re a good squad but they’ve just lacked a few bits and pieces here or there.”
Leonard is convinced the secret behind the club’s success was its depth.
Despite big man Sebastian Loader retiring at the end of last season, the Supercats were able to add former Melbourne Tiger Braith Cox to the roster.
“We’ve got such a deep bench that we just keep rotating guys in and we’re basically full throttle 100 per cent of the time and they tend to drop away fairly quickly,” he said.
Leonard said the players learnt from their midseason slump last season when they lost six in a row before taking the SEABL and Australian Basketball Association titles.
“It’s great that we’re winning now but we’d rather be winning at the end when it matters,” he said.
“If we lose a few here but refresh and recharge our batteries so we’re playing our best basketball at the end, so be it.”