Basketball On The Internet.

NO-ONE is happier than The Bandana Kid himself, Larry Davidson, that Perth has activated The Buccaneer, Brad Robbins for its cut-throat iiNet NBL Grudge Final series with New Zealand.

Not only does it mean the dreaded pirate affectation will make an appearance in the championship round after all, but it also means Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge can drop The Sensei nickname and return to the much preferred Captain Silverbeard.

(Yes, originally it was Captain Redbeard but on closer inspection...)

The series also marks the last time we will get to see that scurvy knave Dillon Boucher in action before he retires to an island to count his dubloons.

This will now be quite the high seas adventure, from Auckland in the far east, to Perth in the wild west, and maybe back to that vexing Vector Arena for a final time.

(Those bleating about the time between GF matches might like to contemplate the distances involved and how long they take by plane ... or tall ship.)

The Breakers will be led by Captain Blood, Mika Vukona, and Jack Sparrow hisself, Cedric Jackson.

Calico Jack, a.k.a. Shawn Redhage will pace Silverbeard's minions, Jesse Wagstaff sure to bring his notorious Captain Feathersword alter ego out as well.

But The Buccaneer's comeback from a self-imposed premature retirement, which followed a magnificent overtime keel-haul of the dreaded 36ers at Adelaide Arena in December, is the talking point this week.

Robbins replaces injured Damian Martin, ruled out of the three-match Grind Final series with a partial tear to his Achilles tendon.

"It's a surreal feeling and pretty hard to believe that it's going ahead, so it is certainly exciting to say the least,'' either Robbins or the ventriloquist parrot on his shoulder said.

"I think I can be another set of eyes and ears out there and be a leader on the court.

"I believe that makes a difference.''

That and his solid work in close quarters. Who needs a broadsword when you have a tight upper-cut?

"He has been the heart and soul of this club for a long time, and after a few months off is feeling fresh,'' Silverbeard said.

"But this is about mateship. He's doing this for Damo.''

Damo right he is!

Robbins has trained and acted as a mentor since his premature retirement, his intention to have a run in the WA State League.

The issue for the Wildcats though won't be piracy or even lunacy but a certain Breaker known as Peter Pan, the eternally young CJ Bruton, who beheaded the Kings earlier this week.