Nate puts his shoulder into it
Slowly but surely, the Taipans are rebuilding the club’s most important asset — Nate Jawai’s shoulder. Jawai’s importance to the Snakes next season cannot be understated with his fitness paramount to the club’s fortunes in the 2017-18 NBL campaign. The centre is still in rehabilitation mode, an “increasing strength” component of his recovery, following surgery on his shoulder earlier this year.
BASKETBALL SLOWLY but surely, the Taipans are rebuilding the club’s most important asset – Nate Jawai’s shoulder.
Jawai’s importance to the Snakes next season cannot be understated with his fitness paramount to the club’s fortunes in the 2017-18 NBL campaign.
The centre is still in rehabilitation mode, an “increasing strength” component of his recovery, following surgery on his shoulder earlier this year.
Jawai suffered a labrum tear of his shoulder, which does not involve the tendons of the shoulder, against the Perth Wildcats in early February and battled the pain for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old is in positive spirits about his recovery and is working closely with former Taipans strength and conditioning coach Scott Callaghan.
Longstanding team physiotherapist Tom Maher, whose business Cairns Total Physio has worked with the club for more than 10 years, says Jawai has a good range of movement.
“For the last month he has been able to do lower body weights, running and cycling,” Maher said.
“He has started doing some upper body weights and some exercises with bands that are specific shoulder related stuff but now he can get more upper body weights going. RECOVERY ROAD: Nate Jawai in a reflective mood at Taipans training.
“He has got most of his range of motion back in his shoulder but it is about the end stage rotation he is working on now.
“We will now work on more specific shoulder strengthening exercises.”
The Australian Boomer was given a six to seven month period to recover from surgery before he return to full unrestricted playing and training, which is expected to be during the NBL pre-season.
Jawai’s surgeon still wants to wait another month before he starts swimming to build up his fitness.
The NBL is set to reveal the schedule for the 2017-18 season next week.
Meanwhile, the club are holding their first ever end of financial year sale at Taipans HQ today.
Jawai and Australian squad member Mitch McCarron will be on hand from 12-5pm this afternoon with an in-store only offer to save 20 per cent off memberships for next season.