West Spotlight | Norman, Keyes fire Buccs to big win

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It was an NBL1 West Grand Final rematch but the Warwick Senators unfortunately are in a very different place now than 12 months ago and Matt Norman and Josh Keyes combined for 62 points and seven triples as the Geraldton Buccaneers won 111-64.

The two teams played a classic Grand Final at RAC Arena last year with the Buccs prevailing and now they are putting themselves in a prime position to be a chance to go back-to-back.

They started this weekend's road double beating a Cockburn Cougars team without Johny Narkle with a big fourth quarter and then took on the Senators now without Will Tschetter on Sunday at Warwick Stadium.

Geraldton took charge right from the outset with 33 points to 18 in the first quarter with 25 of those points from Norman and Keyes.

The Buccs remained in control the rest of the way to win by 47 points in the finish to improve to a 16-3 record and be sitting in top spot just ahead of the 16-4 Rockingham Flames.

Warwick have now lost five straight to be struggling at 5-15 with just two games left in their forgettable 2026 season.

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Unfortunately for the Senators they aren’t in the same position to take up the challenge to the Buccaneers like they were last year now having lost Will Tschetter to the NBA Summer League who had been a shining light in a challenging season.

Geraldton didn’t have Devondrick Walker either, but depth is hardly a concern for the reigning champs and they did finish up shooting a scintillating 64 per cent for the afternoon along with 15/29 from three-point range while holding the Senators to 28 per cent and 5/36.

Warwick did have 18 offensive rebounds to four, but Geraldton only missed 23 shots for the game so there weren't too many o-boards on offer.

Matt Norman was straight into the starting five with Walker not suiting up and he was on fire with 15 points in the first quarter with four triples on his way to 28 in 27 minutes for the game with five steals and three assists and 5/7 shooting from the outside.

Josh Keyes also was brilliant once more showing his all-round talents with 34 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals with 13/16 field goal shooting.

Cooper Creek was up against the team he shot into the preliminary final last year and had 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and four steals with Liam Hunt providing nine points, eight boards and three assists, Brendan Redhead nine points and four assists, and Verle Williams Jr seven points and four assists.

It's another tough outing for Warwick who are crying out for the end of the season having now lost five straight with Tristan Forsyth battling hard for 29 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

But import guard Marshawn Blackmon who has had two 40-point games in 2026 and another couple over 30 went scoreless with four turnovers on only three shot attempts while playing 27 minutes.

It was a Grand Final rematch but the two teams aren’t quite in the same place they were this time last year when they always appeared on a collision course for what turned out to be a classic Grand Final.

The Buccs remain on a mission to go back-to-back for the first time but the Senators fell further from playoff contention with the loss the previous night to the Willetton Tigers.

Geraldton were coming off a big finish the night before to beat Cockburn and then started on fire on Sunday even without Devondrick Walker. Matt Norman stepped into his starting spot for four triples and 15 points in the first quarter.

That helped the Buccaneers to the 33-18 lead by quarter-time with Josh Keyes also having 10 points while they were shooting 13/18 from the field with 5/7 from the outside to 5/16 from Warwick and 3/11.

There was no let up from Geraldton with another 23 points to 11 in the second frame with Norman adding four more points and Keyes nine with the reigning champs going into the main break leading 56-29.

That was on the back of shooting 64 per cent from the floor and 8/15 from the outside while Warwick managed to be going just 25 per cent with 3/20. Tristan Forsyth had 13 points for the home team but Marshawn Blackmon was scoreless on one shot attempt.

Once more the Buccs weren’t in the mood to take their foot off the gas and piled on another 30 points to 13 in the third quarter with Norman adding nine more to be up 28 for the game, and Keyes had more to have 32.

Geraldton were leading 86-42 as a result by three quarter-time and then in the fourth quarter the Buccs still outscored the Senators 25 to 22 for the eventual 47-point triumph to head home with a pair of big road wins.

Geraldton now return home for the last regular season game back in front of their local fans against the East Perth Eagles on Saturday night. Warwick have just two games in their season from hell to go away to the Lakeside Lightning and at home to the Goldfields Giants.

NBL1 WEST 2026 SEASON | FIRST NATIONS ROUND

WARWICK SENATORS 64 (Forsyth 29, Pearl 9, McRae 7)

GERALDTON BUCCANEERS 111 (Keyes 34, Norman 28, Creek 17)