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THE Round Twelve Men’s SBL Player of the Week has been awarded to Gokul Natesan of the Quadrio Earthmoving Geraldton Buccaneers.

Natesan was instrumental in two big wins for the Geraldton Buccaneers both at home and away against the Goldfields Giants during Rivalry Round.

Saturday night, the Buccaneers hosted the Goldfields Giants at Active West Stadium in a clash that brought together two teams from opposite sides of the SBL ladder. The mismatch was evident as the Buccaneers emerged 52 point victors, 129-77. Starring for the Buccs was Natesan, who provided 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in just under 30 minutes. He was also 6/13 from beyond the arc, as the Buccs combined for 26 made triples for the contest.

Flying to Goldfields the next night, the Buccs still managed to win convincingly 95-78. While the Giants were able to hold the Buccs to a more acceptable number of 3PTs made, they still had no answer for Natesan as he poured in 23 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists and an incredible 7 steals.

Natesan now leads the league in steals and is averaging 22.7ppg, 3.3rpg and 4.1apg in 2018. Adding to his busy weekend, Natesan and teammates Earnest Ross and Colter Lasher made their first SBL All-Star appearances for Team North on Monday, ending the South’s dominance in the process.

The Buccs now sit 13-2, good for second on the MSBL ladder, and have two high-profile games ahead vs Perth Redbacks (3^rd) at home and away to Joondalup (1^st).

Graphic by Sports Imagery Australia