If I can’t play for the snipers anymore due to me living in Dunedin, I would happily play for an Otago team at nationals!

true however the red devils are a poor reference in my opinion.  Kaczala did play but from what a number of them said afterwards was that no one came to trainings prior to the final (they had something like 6 weeks off between games) and they didn’t seem to have the heart to compete (for any Devils players reading this, please don’t take this as motivation for next year) ” title=”Wink” /> 

Imports, if they are any good, should be able to slot themselves into a system more readily because they’ve played within them more often.  Adding 5 players who should be well skilled individually and can play into a system should greatly improve a team.  Last years Devils playing at their best against the IB’s would be a pretty close game (assuming the canty players could play for both teams…laws of physics relaxing for a couple hours). 

Reiterating, my poor mans Don Cherry analysis was about that one game and that game only.  It has no bearing on individuals ability nor their potential to play differently in the near or far future.  It’s not an indictment nor a prediction.  I was simply watching Dunedin players, many whom I assume would trial the Thunder.  I’m just saying there wasn’t much of a system played, for numerous reasons unrelated to playing ability, on that day.  Also reiterating that I saw some encouraging things.  I have no reason to believe the Thunder will look and play the same on game night when the season opens.  Preparation can do wonders!