Snakes sweat on verdict
The Taipans were playing the waiting game last night as they faced the prospect of being without centre Nate Jawai after he suffered a foot injury in their season-opening game. Jawai (above) saw a foot specialist yesterday to find out the extent of the injury he suffered on Friday night but the club remained tight-lipped late yesterday about the diagnosis. Snakes coach Aaron Fearne, speaking after the club’s win over New Zealand on Sunday, said he feared Jawai was suffering from plantar fasciitis.
THE Taipans are playing the waiting game as they face the prospect of being without centre Nate Jawai after he suffered a mystery foot injury in their season-opening game.
Jawai saw a foot specialist yesterday morning to find out the extent of the injury he suffered on Friday night but the club remained tight-lipped late yesterday about the diagnosis.
Snakes coach Aaron Fearne, speaking after the club’s win over New Zealand on Sunday, said he feared Jawai was suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a debilitating condition causing pain under the heel or in the arch on weight-bearing or walking.
“We are not exactly sure what it is, we think it is plantar fasciitis,” Fearne said.
“It is getting the inflammation and pain out of the foot and when that is out, he will be back. I do not know what the time frame is but generally after a couple of weeks you are good to go.”
The injury is common for athletes, with co-captain of AFL club Melbourne, Jack Viney, given a six-week recovery time frame in the 2017 season after foot surgery to release his plantar fascia pain.
Speaking as the playing group landed back in the Far North yesterday afternoon, skipper Cameron Gliddon said the Snakes were feeling for their hurt big man.
“It sucks with the injuries, that is for sure,” Gliddon said. “Hopefully Nate is OK.” Jawai, playing his first NBL game since shoulder surgery, pulled up sore after scoring at the basket late in the second term – at that point he was the leading scorer (12 points, five rebounds) – and did not return.
His is the second injury concern in recent weeks for the club, with import forward Michael Carrera out for another month after knee surgery.
The Taipans host the minor premiers from last season, Adelaide, on Thursday night.