His fancied team beat reigning champions Bendigo Spirit but Townsville Fire coach Chris Lucas is predicting a long, tough season after an intriguing WNBL opening round.
The Fire made a statement as they reversed last season's grand final outcome with a 79-67 home win over the Spirit.
New recruits Steph Cumming and Suzy Batkovic contributed 17 points and 12 points respectively and were among five double-digit scorers for the hosts.
But other weekend results underlined the anticipated evenness of the nine-team competition.
Perennial straggler West Coast Waves produced the biggest shock, winning 69-65 at regular finalist Adelaide.
Sydney Flames won 83-68 at old rivals Canberra Capitals, but lost 72-66 to Melbourne Boomers on the second half of their road trip.
The new-look Dandenong side produced some high octane offence, surging to a 103-91 home win over Logan.
Townsville's notable victory was set up by an 18-0 start to the second quarter after they trailed by four at the first break.
Asked what he read into the result, Lucas said: "Nothing at all.
"The results over the weekend prove that the league is going to be very, very tight and you want to try to get as many wins at home as you can.
"We're very happy with the first up result, from a team point of view we've still got a lot of work to do.
"Defensively we did a fantastic job in the second quarter.....after halftime, defensively we weren't as good.
Bendigo coach Bernie Harrower said the Spirit had not had the best preparation with many of his players involved in the second-tier SEABL finals until a few weeks ago.
"We're certainly underdone and we'll get better as the season goes on," Harrower said.
Spirit centre Gabe Richards followed up her breakout 2012-13 season with a 21-point, 16-rebound performance.
In Adelaide, New Zealander Toni Edmondson scored 17 and Deanna Smith 14, as West Coast overcame an 11-point third quarter deficit to stun the Lightning.
In Dandenong, Opals star Jenna O'Hea and new recruit Alice Kunek scored 29 and 28 respectively for the Rangers, who survived a 32-point onslaught from Thunder's American sharpshooter Laurie Koehn.
American imports Natalie Novosel and Kayla Pedersen chimed in for Dandenong with 18 and 16 respectively on debut, with Rangers coach Mark Wright pleased and surprised by his team's sizzling offensive effort.
"It looks like we've got a bit of chemistry going," Wright said.
In Canberra, Flames guards Katie-Rae Ebzery and Alicia Poto tallied 29 and 28 respectively for the Flames, who landed 12 three-pointers.
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