Ex-Fish back in tank

A PAIR of former Fish Tank favourites are back in the Far North to further push their credentials as Queensland Basketball League title favourites.

Cairns’ grand final MVP from last season, Cameron Tragardh, and Brisbane Bullet Shaun Bruce will lead the 12-1 Mackay Meteors against the Marlins, who are suddenly on a two-game losing sequence.

The duo drove to Cairns from Mackay yesterday, with Bruce arguably in career-best form ahead of the Friday night Round 12 QBL clash.

The former Marlin and Taipan is second in the QBL MVP standings on 58 points, with former teammate Damon Heuir fourth on 57 and only four rounds to go in the campaign.

“We are a confident team as it is and we want to beat everyone,” Bruce said.

“Cairns are another test for us, the Cairns and Townsville road trip is a big one with two good teams.

“We have been getting the ball into the right guys’ hands of late and a big key will be slowing down their Taipans guards.

“After our loss to Logan a few weeks ago, we have picked up our defence and got the ball moving well.”

Bruce is leading the league in assists, with almost 10 a night, as well as 24 points, and his playing-coach, Tragardh, believes he is a step above the rest in the QBL.

Bruce has played in the Fish Tank on a number of occasions recently but this will be Tragardh’s first as an opposition player since lifting the 2016 title.

“Shaun looks like he has got an extra five or six seconds every time he has the ball,” Tragardh said. “The game is moving slowly for him, he can sit back and pick his spots.

“His decision-making and leadership is on another level.

“The penny has dropped in the way he sees the game.”