One of the fiercest competitors to ever come out of our club and someone who, even as his career has taken him to a number of other destinations, bleeds red, green and white – Greg Page is our latest addition to the Big V State Championship Men’s roster for 2016.

‘I’ve always been in contact with Al no matter where I’ve been playing and came to the decision this offseason that it was the right time to come back home to Diamond Valley’, Page said.

‘I still live locally and I’m really pumped to come back home to play with all my old Eagles mates and my old Eagles coach that I grew up with through juniors and Youth League.’

Greg played SEABL last season for the Frankston Blues, averaging 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game – to go along with probably 1000 loose ball gets, charges and giving the opposition point guard nightmares. Greg’s best statistical effort last season in SEABL came against the uber-talented Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence team where he posted 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 1 block.

‘My journey in the past 3 years has taken me to Knox SEABL for 2 years, Frankston SEABL last year and 2 seasons in the NBL with Melbourne Tigers/Melbourne United’, Greg explained.

‘I learnt some valuable lessons about how to travel and play, how to deal with personalities of people on and off the court, and got to see the exceptional work ethic of guys like Mark Worthington and Chris Goulding – you see first hand what makes them so good’.

‘I used to spend time doing extra shooting with Goulding, he’s the most insanely talented player I’ve ever been around – he would have us do drills like 3pt shooting on 1 foot and he would hit everything. When it was my turn, I mean … I’d try my best !’

Head Coach Alan McAughtry is thrilled to have ‘Pagey’ back at the club – ‘It’s been a 2 year mission to get him back. He has grown as a player, having played SEABL and in the NBL – but this is about more than just Basketball. The history between Greg Page and Diamond Valley, the coaches and players he’s been around, Ross Wignell, the whole community here have had a hand in shaping him in some small way.

‘In a similar way to our women signing Alex Sharp, it’s a homecoming of sorts to enjoy the game, compete for your old club and help the team win.’

Page joins what is already fast becoming a highly competitive roster as the Eagles look to push up the ladder and into finals equations in 2016.

‘The league looks like it’s building and the big signings throughout the league show that. We’ll be relatively young at some positions, but we’ll be quick and uptempo. I can’t wait to play with big Brad – he’s played at such a high level for so many years and he’s bloody massive ! … Can I say that ?!’, Page noted.

‘I hope to bring some gritty, up-and-in defense and a bit of scoring to the group. I’ll also look to draw on my experiences of the past few years and look to bring some leadership as well.’

DVBA CEO Ross Wignell adds ‘It’s terrific to have Greg return home. He’s been a successful Diamond Valley junior and he will be a great addition to the Men’s team in 2016. His commitment to hard work and his competitive nature have been tremendous attributes for him, and will be a positive addition to our team.’

Welcome back, ‘Pagey’ !