By Justin Schwarze
The Pakenham Warriors have bolstered their Senior Men’s Big V side with the acquisition of 2024 Division One grand final MVP winner Steve Coffey as their second import signing for 2025.
Coffey had previously been a key player for RMIT in Big V Men Division One, building a very solid career and resume over the last five seasons.
Some of his past achievements in the competition include being named to the All Star Five in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and taking home the Golden Hands award twice.
However, none bigger than this last season, where he led RMIT to the Division One championship, while grabbing the grand final MVP in the process.
According to senior men’s coach Rob Roberts, it’s the culture he brings and his off the court professionalism that attracted the Warriors to signing him.
It is hoped that he can fill the void left by longtime import Joe Davis.
“Steve’s one of the most professional basketball players you could ever meet,” Roberts said.
“He’s known on and off the court as one of the best players going around at any level.
“We make sure that we’re not just finding an import who can play basketball.
“We’ve always looked at the off-court capabilities of them as well and what they can do in the community.
“Steve ticked all the boxes there.”
On the court, Coffey has an entertaining and flashy playstyle.
He averaged over 20 points per game for RMIT last season, showcasing his scoring ability on all three levels.
His three-point accuracy is one of his best attributes, shooting at over 40 per cent clip season on over nine attempts per game.
“State Champ level is a high scoring level and you’ve gotta have those strong outside shooters to be able to space the floor, and Steve’s definitely one of those ones that can do that,” Roberts said.
Earlier this month, the Warriors announced they would bring back import Pat Birt, the Division One leading scorer in 2023.
Birt was sidelined for all of last season with an Achilles injury this year, but put himself on the Warriors’ radar by averaging just under 30 points per game in 2023.
The union between Coffey’s play-making and Birt’s tenacity for getting to the basket, makes for an exciting incoming dynamic duo for Pakenham in 2025.
“They’ve both been chosen for different reasons,” Roberts said.
“Steve can get to the rim, he’s defensively very good and he shoots the ball but he’s also a very big leader on the court.
“Pat is someone who does like to put up an outside shot but with his length and his arms, his defensive pressure is elite and he can get to the ring very, very easily.
“So he is probably more of our inside player than Steve will be, but they both offer different things for us.”
Both players offer elite scoring prowess paired with defensive effort, making Pakenham a very tough team to match up with on both ends of the floor.
After finishing eighth and missing finals in 2024, the Warriors hope the new import signings will help boost their squad into contention in 2025.
“Our guys have got a green light to shoot the right shots when they’re ready,” Roberts stated.
“They know each other’s game style, and they’ll work really well together.”
