Giants’ coach moving on after three key departures

Goldfields Giants coach Lennon Smartt has retained high hopes for a men’s NBL1 squad that remains a work-in-progress after the loss of guards Damon Ballantyne and Hamish Cummings and forward Manylok Malek for the 2025 NBL1 season.

The trio spent a combined 13 seasons with the local club, but Smartt on Wednesday said they departed with his blessings on the back of each player’s dedicated service.

In the meantime, Smartt said he was committed to creating a competitive group capable of building on last year’s play-offs appearance, when they won five of their final eight games, including an elimination final against Warwick to launch the finals.

“When guys know the team, the town, the set-up, and are well-established, it’s always going to be difficult losing them — especially when you consider where the club’s at, without really having too many active starters,” Smartt said.

“But obviously it’s an opportunity for others now to fill some of those roles and we will continue to recruit.

“The way I see it, we have those two import spots — (American) Sean Stewart’s signing obviously has already been announced and we’re getting close to making an announcement on the second spot.

“As far as local spots, we’re still actively going after Kon Anguik who hasn’t yet signed and two other Aussies who we’re potentially bringing in as well.”

Smartt said each of the departing trio were lauded for negotiating one of the club’s most challenging periods.

“Let’s not forget that all of them were here through COVID when we were all in lockdown and frozen in the area for a long time, and away from family,” he said.

“I’ve known all of them for a while now and it was really cool to be able to coach my friends and especially having success (last year) through what was a really difficult season.

“There were a lot of of off-court changes and moving parts in 2024, alongside multiple coaching changes over the journey.

“The service they gave across four or five seasons each to the club speak for their character.”