Heritage Round | 10 years on from Cougars championship earned

There's so much in what the Cockburn Cougars NBL1 West team of 2026 are doing and how they are built that compares favourably to their SBL championship team that is celebrating their 10-year reunion on Friday night.

Under coach Matt Parsons, the Cougars built themselves up into that 2016 championship team and then it all came together that season with a blend of experienced locals, young players on the rise and then the perfect two imports.

Marcus Goode and dynamic wing Najee Lane topped things off on a group including leaders like the retiring Sheldon McIntyre, Steven Van Lit, Dan Thomas and Grand Final MVP Rhett Della while Julian Pesava was on the rise, and Travis Hayto, Matej Mandic, Guy Arrowsmith, Alex Prince and Jaarod Holmes played a key role.

They also had to overcome heartbreak with inspirational captain Gavin Field suffering a season-ending injury to open the finals series against the Perry Lakes Hawks.

That's one thing that this Cougars team of 2026 won't want to replicate, but the rest of it they could and they might be heading in a similar direction in the third season under Mark Clayden as coach.

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They have now won six straight this season to be 7-3 and there's that veteran leader with Seva Chan while Josh Hunt is now in his sixth season with the Cougars and locals Matt Clifford, Riley Eves, Nathan Pond, Jonah Palelei and Jack Pitt are playing handy roles.

Then those new faces are all proving perfect fits with Rowan Mackenzie putting himself in MVP contention running the point, Johny Narkle now starting to show why he's a two-time Grand Final MVP, and Joseph Bradshaw gives them an inside presence and Akeem Springs brings plenty.

How that plays out for the Cougars of 2026 will take care of itself, but they get a chance to see what is possible with the 10-year reunion on Friday night at Wally Hagan Stadium of the 2016 championship winners.

It works out nicely that for Heritage Round the Cougars are hosting the same team they beat in the Grand Final 10 years ago, the Joondalup Wolves, and who better to pick up the story from here than Parsons who won his first of three championships as a coach 10 years ago.

THE STORY AS TOLD BY THE CHAMPIONSHIP COACH

The foundation of the Cockburn Cougars’ 2016 championship run was laid well before the season tipped off. A pivotal recruitment drive in 2015 brought in strong leaders such as Gav, Travis, SVL, Sheldon, and Alex, while also exposing emerging talent like Julian Pesava to league-level basketball. This combination of leadership and development created momentum that carried directly into 2016.

Heading into the season, key roster moves further strengthened the group. The decision to bring Najee Lane back as an import—after initially being unable to secure his signature, signing a replacement, and then releasing that player to make way for Najee’s return—proved to be a critical call. This was complemented by the signing of American big man Marcus Goode. The return of former Cougars juniors, DT, Jaarod, and Rhett—each of whom had gone on to enjoy decorated careers elsewhere—added experience, depth, and a strong connection to the club’s culture.

Regular Season Growth and Resilience

The season wasn’t without its challenges. A loss to the Wolves in Round 6, followed by a narrow defeat to the Buccaneers in Geraldton in Round 9, exposed areas for improvement. Rather than derailing the campaign, these setbacks became defining moments, providing a clear framework for growth and refinement.

What followed was a remarkable 10-game winning streak, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt, grow, and execute at a high level. The only setback during this stretch came in Round 18, when the Cougars dropped a home game to the Hawks. Importantly, that game was played without key leaders Gav, DT, Sheldon, and Alex. While it resulted in a loss, it became a pivotal moment for the squad’s depth. Players like Rhett and Julian stepped into larger roles, gaining confidence and momentum that would prove invaluable during the playoffs.

The final regular season game against the Wolves carried significant weight. The Cougars delivered when it mattered most, securing the win and clinching the minor premiership—an achievement that validated their consistency and dominance across the season.

Playoffs: Adversity and Breakthrough Performances

The finals campaign began with immediate adversity. In Game 1 of the quarterfinal series against the Hawks, Gav suffered a major elbow injury, sidelining a key leader at a critical stage. Despite this setback, the team responded with resilience, securing a crucial win on their home floor, highlighted by a massive 30-point performance from JP.

In the semifinal series against Geraldton, the Cougars demonstrated how much they had grown. Learning from their earlier Round 9 loss, they made key tactical adjustments and executed with precision, claiming Game 1 on the road. That performance set the tone, with momentum carrying through the remainder of the series and into the Grand Final.

Grand Final: Execution and Team Identity

The Grand Final presented unique circumstances. Cockburn entered the game without Gav, while the Wolves were without Greg Hire. The Cougars’ game plan was clear and deliberate: limit the impact of the Wolves’ primary offensive threats, Trian Iliadis and Seb Salinas.

The strategy centred on physically and mentally wearing them down. By consistently targeting them defensively—through post-ups involving our guards—the Cougars forced them to work on both ends of the floor in ways they hadn’t been required to all season. This approach disrupted their rhythm and gradually restricted their influence on the game.

Offensively, Sheldon and Najee became central playmakers, orchestrating from advantageous positions. Once the team found its rhythm, they became extremely difficult to stop.

Contributions were evenly spread across the group:

              •            Imports delivered at key moments

              •            Leaders influenced the game with composure and decisive playmaking

              •            Depth players stepped up, fuelled by the confidence and momentum built through opportunities earlier in the season

A Championship Earned

The 2016 championship was about far more than talent—it was built on growth, resilience, and collective belief. The lessons from early-season losses, the emergence of depth players, and the ability to adapt under adversity all came together in a complete team performance on the biggest stage.

It became a defining night in club history—a true team victory built on preparation, unity, and the willingness of every player to step up when it mattered most.

THE MEN BEHIND THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Then getting down to more detail, here is a rundown on the players who made the championship possible for the Cougars and the contributions they made in reflection 10 years on.

Rhett Della — Forward | Grand Final MVP

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If the 2016 season had a single defining story, it belonged to Rhett Della. A long-serving Cockburn product, Della had been through years of near-misses with the Cougars without ever getting his hands on a title. Coach Matt Parsons made bringing him back to the club one of his biggest off-season priorities, and the reward was spectacular. Della himself noted that he had never missed the finals across his first 170 games for the Cougars, and that his club's Men's MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 were among his earlier career highlights — but that the 2016 championship was the absolute pinnacle of his playing career.

In the Grand Final, Della finished with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals to claim the Grand Final MVP award. Parsons said of his veteran forward: "He's not blessed with the biggest skill set and we all know this, but he has a ticker the size of Phar Lap's. He is a real workhorse and he doesn't do anything pretty, but he just does everything hard." To top off a fairytale night, Della proposed to his partner Shannon after the final buzzer and received a yes.

Najee Lane — Guard/Forward | Import

A 6'4" swingman from Clark Atlanta University, Lane was described as an extremely tough defender with a knack for finding multiple ways to score. He held the title of SAIC Conference Player of the Year and ranked in the top five all-time in career points at Clark Atlanta. By 2016 he was a returning Cougar, having first joined the club in 2015. Lane was one of the team's most decorated players that season. He earned a spot on the 2016 SBL All-Defensive Team as the league's best shooting guard defender, and was selected as a starter for the South All-Stars. He represented Cockburn as a starter at guard in the league's mid-season All-Star game, a reflection of his impact across both ends of the floor. In the Grand Final, Lane was Cockburn's top scorer with 24 points to go with 13 rebounds — a complete performance that underscored why Parsons had fought to keep him at the club.

Marcus Goode — Center/Power Forward | Import

A 6'11" big man from Benedict College, Goode had previously been drafted by the Erie Bay Hawks in the NBA D-League in 2014 and was playing with the Seattle Mountaineers in the ABA before signing with Cockburn for 2016. He proved to be one of the most dominant big men the SBL had seen that season. Goode averaged 21.5 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game for the Cougars during the season, ranking second in the league in rebounding and leading the SBL in blocked shots per game. In a mid-season standout performance, he put up 29 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots in a single game against East Perth. He carried that form all the way to the Grand Final, where he contributed 23 points and 15 rebounds. His combination of size, athleticism and finishing around the basket made him virtually unguardable on the interior.

Sheldon McIntyre — Forward/Guard

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McIntyre is an Australian-born 6'5" swingman who had already become one of the most respected figures in Western Australian basketball by the time the 2016 season came around. Having overcome serious knee problems in 2008 and 2009 that threatened to derail his career entirely, McIntyre came back and became a cornerstone of the Cockburn program.

The 2016 championship was his second title with the Cougars — he had also been part of the 2012 winning team — and it came just weeks after he celebrated his 200th SBL appearance, a remarkable milestone. In the Grand Final, McIntyre finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks, shooting 6-of-8 from the field. He set the tone early, combining with Della for 16 of Cockburn's 26 first-quarter points, and hit a crucial dagger three in the fourth quarter as the Wolves threatened a comeback.

Gavin Field — Forward | Captain

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One of the most beloved figures in Cockburn history, Gavin Field was the team's captain and its spiritual heartbeat throughout the 2016 season. Born in South Lake and standing 6'8", Field attended the University of West Georgia before returning home to make the Cougars his lifelong club.

His 2016 season carried a painful postscript. He suffered a career-threatening elbow injury during the finals campaign and was forced to sit out the Grand Final itself — one of sport's cruellest moments for a player who had given so much to reach that stage. Despite missing the decider, his contribution throughout the regular season and early finals was immense, with the All-Star recognition he received a testament to his consistent excellence. Field was named as a reserve in the SBL South All-Stars, recognition of a season that saw him producing at his usual elite level before injury intervened.

Daniel Thomas — Guard

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Daniel Thomas was one of two returning veterans who came back to Cockburn in 2016 for the first time in years, making his Grand Final appearance and winning his first championship with the club. It was a deeply personal triumph. In the Grand Final he contributed six points and four assists — a composed, selfless performance in keeping with his reputation as a consummate team player. Such was his value that the club were desperate to keep him on for the following season, with his leadership and mentorship of younger players considered just as important as his on-court contributions.

Julian Pesava — Guard/Forward

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Julian Pesava was a homegrown Cockburn product who had been in and around the SBL program for several years. The 2016 season was a milestone one for him in more ways than one — not only did he win a championship, but he played his final SBL games before embarking on a college career overseas. His Wayland Baptist University profile lists his crowning achievement simply: 2016 SBL Champions. He had also been recognised as an All-Star in 2015 and won a Most Improved award in 2012 — a career arc that traced his growth from raw junior to championship contributor. In the Grand Final he chipped in eight points and five rebounds, and Parsons spoke glowingly of the young Cockburn kid stepping up when it mattered. He departed the club after the season with his head held high and a ring on his finger.

Steven Van Lit — Guard

Steven Van Lit came from a deep Cockburn family — the youngest of the Van Lit children who all grew up involved with the Cougars, his family had been part of the club from near its earliest days. A guard with a strong feel for the game, Van Lit was a consistent contributor throughout the season and featured in the starting lineup for the Grand Final. His role was largely about facilitating — moving the ball, creating space, and trusting his more decorated teammates to finish. He was part of the early 10-point run that put the Wolves on the back foot, and his steady play throughout the evening helped Cockburn maintain their composure whenever Joondalup threatened.

The Role Players

Beyond the named starters, the 2016 Cougars' depth was a key reason for their success. The roster featured several experienced local players who contributed meaningfully throughout the season and the finals campaign.

Travis Hayto and Luke Wilson were among the broader rotation players who provided depth and reliability. Their departures after the 2016 season were noted as losses that the club needed to replace heading into 2017, a sign of the quiet but important contributions they made to the championship run.

Matt Parsons — Head Coach

No player profile piece would be complete without acknowledging the architect of the whole campaign. Parsons won the Men's Coach of the Year award for 2016 — the ultimate peer recognition. His recruitment strategy was sharp: convincing Della and Thomas to return, locking in Lane for a second season, and landing Goode as the perfect complementary big man. But beyond the recruitment, it was his ability to build a culture of toughness and trust that set the 2016 Cougars apart. When the game was on the line, every player — from the stars to the role players — knew their job. That is the hallmark of great coaching.

Together, these players gave Cockburn its third SBL Men's championship, and one of the most complete team performances in the competition's history.