MARLINS SEEK REVENGE AGAINST SUNSHINE COAST
CAIRNS Marlins guard Jarrad Weeks says he’ll rein in his natural attacking instincts this weekend as he attempts to lead his team to a state league grand final berth.
The defending champion Marlins take on the Sunshine Coast Rip tomorrow night at the Fish Tank in the first round of the playoffs.
Weeks, who’s currently training with both the Marlins and the Taipans NBL squad, said a more measured approach to the game was helping him become a better player.
“I’m just trying to make better reads and not be so kamikaze on offence,” the former Wollongong Hawk said. “It’s about knowing when to go and when to pull out and run our offensive system on the court.
“That and I’m trying to get stronger and a little bit bigger.
“You’re always striving to get better every day, especially during the off-season.”
Weeks has had a strong season for the Marlins, averaging 15 points and five assists per game, but has battled a knee issue for much of the year.
But the playmaker said he was fully recovered and ready for tomorrow’s clash.
“It’s nothing too serious,” Weeks said. “It was just a little tendinopathy. It’s part of playing the game really.
“They’re a very physical team. We know that from last time we played them.
“We feel like we owe them. We’ve got a pretty solid plan.”
The Marlins lost their last game against the Rip 95-84 in May, with Louis Iton scoring 23 points and captain Isaih Tueta pouring in 23 points for the victors.
Weeks said while Cairns had a much smaller line-up than the Sunshine Coast, a new game plan could work to their advantage.
“We’ll try to pack the lane a little bit,” he said.
“They’re very fast. But I think we match up pretty well.
“Stevie Weigh isn’t the tallest centre but he can stretch the floor and hurt you with his shooting.
“They’ve got a lot of good three-point shooters too but we’ve watched a lot of video the last few weeks.
“‘Pearls (coach Jamie Pearlman) has got a pretty good game plan so we’ll be ready for them.”
Last year, Weeks spent his NBL off-season playing with the Hobart Chargers in the South East Australian Basketball League. The Chargers made the grand final but lost to the Mt Gambier Pioneers.
“Obviously that’s something I’m keen not to repeat,” Weeks said. “It’d be good to get another banner (for the Fish Tank) this year.”
The Marlins will likely have a keen onlooker in the stands on Saturday.
New Taipans import Scoochie Smith is expected to be in attendance.
It will be Smith’s first upclose look at teammates Damon Heuir, Kuany Kuany, Stephen Weigh and Weeks, who will all suit up for the Taipans this year.