NBL stars to refresh Rangers

The NBL1 South’s Dandenong Rangers have locked in two star players to fill the important scoring gap that was missing last season on the men’s side.

Current Illawarra Hawk and 2023 NBL1 South champion Mason Peatling will return to his junior club this season. With NBL1 South commentator Michael Thompson expressing the amount of value Peatling will have on the court.

“For him to head back to Dandenong is exactly what Sam Woosnam needed,” Thompson said on the first episode of The NBL1 South Podcast.

“Having two star players that could potentially help them crawl them to victory if need be, because you can always rest on a Peatling or a Dufelmeier to get your team over the line,” Thompson said.

“They relied too heavily on Puoch Puoch and Jack Roberts last season to do that, now they’ve got a bit more experience in the team to make sure they can try and get that win.”

 Thompson also applauded the Rangers for also acquiring Tad Dufelmeier, who has had experience in both the NBL1 South and NBL1 North – with his most recent stint being in Far North Queensland with Cairns Marlins in 2023. 

He averaged 21.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Marlins last season, being named to the NBL1 North Second Team as a result. 

“Not only did they sign Mason Peatling but they also signed former 36ers’ star Tad Dufelmeier who is also a star in his own right. Someone again who can score on transition,” Thompson said.

“The Rangers are in very good stead from a men’s perspective this season.” 

Peatling, Dufelmeier and the Rangers’ first game of the 2024 season is on Thursday, April 4 against the Melbourne Tigers.