Geraldton Buccaneers great Mat Wundenberg celebrates 550th game in style with two wins on the road

Geraldton Buccaneers veteran and three-time championship player Mat Wundenberg marked his 550th game in style as the Buccaneers nabbed two wins on the road at the weekend, against Willetton and East Perth. Wundenberg became the second NBL1 West player to reach 550 games, with his side ensuring their rivals couldn’t spoil the celebrations, claiming a 102-74 victory against East Perth Eagles at Morley Recreation Centre on Sunday. A day earlier, the Buccaneers had a breakthrough 85-93 win over ladder leaders Willetton to hand them their first loss of 2026 at Willetton Basketball Stadium. Cooper Creek and Josh Keyes’ arrivals were massive for the Buccaneers and crucial throughout the weekend, boosting the list after the Buccs were struggling for numbers in previous rounds against Mandurah and Cockburn. The duo were among four Buccs players to snag double-doubles against the Eagles on Sunday afternoon in an incredibly dominant display across the court. Former Warwick Senator Creek put up a career-best 34 points and 14 rebounds, while Keyes bagged 28 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. On Saturday night, Keyes shot with remarkable accuracy to finish on 29 points, landing 12 of 17 field goal attempts, and four of five triple attempts. Liam Hunt notched up his sixth straight double-double this season with 17 points and 12 rebounds as Verle Williams, who was pushed out of the starting five, had 11 points and 10 assists. Guard Matt Norman continues building into the Buccaneers system, putting up his two strongest performances in Buccs colours to finish on 19 points against Willetton and 14 points against East Perth. The Buccs had a fast start against Willetton, hitting the front early to take an 11-point lead into the first break. Willetton took a short-lived lead during the third period, but the Buccs quickly wrestled the lead back in their favour before stretching it out to the final eight-point margin. It was a different story against East Perth, with the home side taking an early lead before Geraldton went on an unanswered nine-point streak to wrangle it back on their terms and stretch it out to a final 28-point margin. Geraldton’s list still isn’t at full strength but it’s in a much better place than it was against Mandurah and Cockburn, and that’s still with Devondrick Walker and Brendan Redhead unavailable to play last weekend. Former captain Wundenberg was named in Sunday’s starting line-up in honour of his 550th game, but only played 26 seconds after coming into the weekend sore. Now sitting fourth on the ladder, Geraldton turn their focus to South West Slammers this Saturday at Activewest Stadium. Tip-off is at 7pm.