'Bring It On': Mitchell's Phoenix Taking No Backwards Steps

South East Melbourne Phoenix Head Coach Simon Mitchell says his team is taking a ‘bring it on’ attitude to their altered early season schedule and temporary relocation to Hobart.

The NBL this morning announced a reshuffle of the first two rounds of the NBL21 season which sees the Phoenix face the 36ers in Adelaide twice before heading to Cairns for their third fixture.

The team have been completing their pre-season in Hobart over the last week due to the recent COVID-19 cases in Melbourne, but their unique preparation heading into round one isn’t dimming the group’s spirits.

“We’re just approaching every challenge as ‘bring it on’,” Mitchell told Fox Sports.

“We’ve got a great group of guys, we enjoy each other’s company, and we’re working hard. Whether we’re training here in Hobart or back in Melbourne, we’re comfortable and we’re ready to play.”

Roster movement over the off-season has seen the team transition into a slightly younger squad, which Mitchell believes will work in their favour in the unusual circumstances of the season.

“We’re kind of lucky that we only have one of our players (Cam Gliddon) that has children in Melbourne, and they’ve been able to come over to Hobart,” he said.

Mitchell also spoke glowingly about the addition of import duo Keifer Sykes and Ben Moore, who’ve both brought a wealth of “excitement and a huge work ethic”.

The Phoenix’s primary roster is split between five returning players and five fresh faces, a great mix according to the coach.

“We’ve built a core who know what we’re about and know where we need to improve,” Mitchell said.

“The defensive end was an area we needed to address and I feel like we’ve done that in the off-season with the acquisitions that we’ve brought in. Reuben Te Rangi and Cam Gliddon have both been fantastic in the games they’ve played from a defensive standpoint, and Ben and Keifer both bring that intensity as well.

“I feel like all in all, we’re going to be a much better prospect on that end of the floor which is important for us.”

The Phoenix tip off their NBL21 season on Saturday, January 16 against the 36ers in Adelaide.

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (06/01/2021)