Peachey primed for red-hot Heat season

Exciting homegrown talent Richard Peachey is ready to take his game to a new level for the Townsville Heat in the 2025 NBL1 North season.

The athletic 21-year-old returns for his fifth year with the senior program in Townsville and is expected to play a key role on both sides of the ball for the Heat.

Peachey was rock-solid for the Heat in their 2024 campaign and has spent the off-season bulking up to help better handle his responsibilities on offence and defence.

“One of the big points of emphasis I had going into the off-season since was just putting a bit of size and weight on, and I've felt that's helped improve my game already,” the Townsville junior said.

“I've noticed within the preseason it has helped me get to the ring, take bumps and being able to hold my own at the rim.

“On the offensive end, it's going to strengthen my game and just help me become a little bit more versatile, a bit stronger with the ball.

“It’s also going to help me on the defensive end, and getting to come up against NBL guys and imports from other teams is a great challenge.

“That's the best part about basketball, playing against the best, and you want to prove yourself, make a name for yourself and prove to your teammates that you're up for it.”

Peachey averages 12 points a game during his Heta career, including a breakout 20.78ppg in the 2022 season, and head coach John O’Farrell is expecting another big year from the 201cm swingman.

“We really see him as a lane runner and someone we can find to make plays in the open court because that's what he does best,” O’Farrell said.

“So, we've got to try to find him and he's also got to be able to match up on the bigger three men in the league, become that sort of longer defender on the perimeter.

“He's improved his outside game; he's just got to be able to keep shooting it with confidence while also making sure he stays aggressive and attacks the rim.”

Peachey joins longtime teammate Ethan Betts on the Heat roster as well as veteran American shooting guard Grant Teichmann and NBL big man Kuany Kuany.

The chance to play with high-level players while also emerging as a leader himself has Peachey looking forward at what’s to come in season 2025.

“I'm excited to get on the court with those guys and see how we're going to gel,” he said.

“With the way Kuany plays, he’s a great four man that can put the ball on four, shoot the ball well and do a lot of things that'll open my game up a lot.

“Then you got a guy like Grant, who's a seasoned vet that has been playing professionally around the world and will have a level head.

“I’ve played with Bettsy for a while now and when you look around the locker room and see him you just know you’re a chance of winning every night.

“It’s great to have those senior guys and for me in the pre-season I've definitely had a focus on having a louder voice myself and trying to be a role model for younger guys coming through.”

The A. Gabrielli Constructions Townsville Flames and Aligned Townsville Heat will tip- off their NBL1 North campaigns on Saturday, May 3, when they host fierce rivals the Cairns Dolphins and Marlins at Carmichael Ford Stadium.