Getting on with the job

If Taipans coach Aaron Fearne (above) has any concerns heading into a “contract season”, he is doing a great job of hiding it. Fearne, who is preparing for his ninth season as coach of the Far North club, is entering the third and final year of the contract he signed in June 2015. The majority of the Snakes playing group are in the same position as their coach with only star centre Nate Jawai and rookie Kuany Kuany contracted players past the end of the 2017-18 season.

IF Taipans coach Aaron Fearne has any concerns heading into a “contract season”, he is doing a great job of hiding it.

Fearne, who is preparing for his ninth season as coach of the Far North club, is entering the third and final year of the contract he signed in June 2015.

The majority of the Snakes playing group are in the same position as their coach, with only star centre Nate Jawai and rookie Kuany Kuany contracted players past the end of the 2017-18 season.

Asked yesterday after training how entering the final year of his contract shaped his mindset, Fearne offered this response: “It doesn’t, I will just do my job.”

Taipans boss Mark Beecroft has previously said he is comfortable letting Fearne’s contract run into its final year with a new deal yet to be struck for beyond the 2017-18 NBL season.

Import point guard Scoochie Smith has made a return to full training with the club ahead of two preseason games against the Perth Wildcats next week in the Far North.

The rookie floor general did not look to have any concerns with his ankle during training at the Fish Tank yesterday.

Fearne said he had not had to manage expectations following the results of the recent NBL Blitz, which Melbourne United won.

The victory bodes well for United as only once in the 20 previous tournaments has the winner missed the playoffs in the following season (Townsville in 2014).

“Every team out there is pretty good,” Fearne said.

“There will be teams out there that will be talented and well coached.

“It will be similar to last year, that is my feel. It is going to be competitive and we need to make sure we are great in a lot of areas and ultimately be very consistent.

“My feel walking out of there is that Melbourne will be really talented.”

Jawai will commence full training with his teammates this Friday after off-season shoulder surgery.

Picture: GETTY IMAGES STAYING FOCUSED: Taipans coach Aaron Fearne, whose contract is nearing its end, speaks to his team during a break in one of their 2017 NBL Blitz matches.