Corletto remains a Tiger

The Melbourne Tigers have re-signed veteran Daryl Corletto, a fan favourite who has played his entire NBL career with the club. Corletto, a Tigers junior, made his NBL debut in October 2001 and this season will be looking for his third NBL Championship with the Tigers.

In the 2009/10 NBL season Corletto played all 28 games with the Tigers, averaging 9.8 points, in just over 20 minutes per game. Corletto managed to score double-figures in 13 games, including a season-high 20 points in 29 minutes against Townsville on the 30th October 2009. He was second for the Tigers in three-pointers made behind club MVP Mark Worthington.

Corletto has played 249 NBL games and his next game will make him only the seventh player to play 250 games with the Tigers. He is one of two of those Tigers, behind Andrew Gaze, that has played his entire NBL career as a Tiger.

With six of the nine Tigers players signed for next season being new to the club, Corletto is the team’s longest serving player and has only missed one game in the past three years.

Part of the 2006 and 2008 NBL Championship winning teams, and Grand Final teams in 2007 and 2009, Corletto will be asked to take on a leadership role within the team this season, and is likely to play a vital back-up guard role.

Al Westover rates the re-signing of Corletto as a great step for the club.

“We are thrilled to re-sign Dazza, he is a great team guy and will make up an exciting back court with import Eric Devendorf, Tommy Greer and the (to be decided) final guard. Dazza has been a valuable contributor for a number of years and this year he will need to step up and be a leader in the team, as he is now a veteran of the squad. He knows our offense inside out and will be able to help out the new guys in the squad”.

Corletto is very happy to be staying in Melbourne with the Tigers.

“It’s great to continue my career with the Tigers, I grew up playing with the team and to stay in Melbourne and play in front of friends and family is fantastic. I love the Melbourne fans and they have supported me all through my career.”

“With the movement of players in and out of the team from last season there will be a new dynamic within the group. Hopefully I will be able to provide some leadership to the younger guys coming through and the new guys to the club. I have been playing in the Big V during the off-season and I am feeling great – I can’t wait for the pre-season to begin and get all of the guys together for what we hope will be a very successful year.”

The Tigers have now officially signed nine of the ten players, with a point guard still to be signed. With plenty of time until pre season is due to start (early August), the club will take their time selecting the most appropriate player.

Current Melbourne Tigers 2010/11 NBL Team
(one position remaining)

Luke Nevill
Eric Devendorf (import)
Wade Helliwell
Cameron Tragardh
Daryl Corletto
Matthew Burston
Tommy Greer
Bennie Lewis
Lucas Walker

The Tigers 2010/11 NBL season fixture has been released and Membership and Ticketing information will be available in the coming weeks. For all Tigers information stay tuned to www.tigers.com.au.