ALEX THE GREAT
THE “old man” of the Cairns Taipans will reach an auspicious milestone with the NBL club tonight.
Evergreen Snakes big man Alex Loughton (pictured) will join retired Taipans stalwarts Aaron Grabau and Anthony Stewart in the illustrious 200 games club tonight.
The 34-year-old Loughton will reach the mark when Cairns take on Brisbane in the first “Sunshine Stoush” of season 2017-18 in Brisbane.
Grabau is proud to now have a trio of Snakes reach the big milestone.
“A lot of players these days do not stick around one team for a long time so it is good to have Alex and Stewy in this club,” Grabau said.
“It is different with other clubs and guys moving around heaps but it is great to see a guy like Alex stay in Cairns.”
RETIRED Taipans stalwarts Aaron Grabau and Anthony Stewart are looking forward to welcoming another member into their illustrious club tonight.
Evergreen Snakes big man Alex Loughton will reach the 200-game milestone tonight as Cairns take on the Brisbane Bullets in the first “Sunshine Stoush” of season 2017-18 in Brisbane.
The in-form 34-year-old was unaware he was about to become just the third Taipan to crack a double century in orange until yesterday morning, when he was notified by Cairns media at the airport as the club flew south.
Grabau, the Snakes’ games record-holder who had his jersey number lifted to the rafters at the Fish Tank earlier this year, is proud to have a trio of Snakes reach the milestone.
“A lot of players these days do not stick around one team for a long time so it is good to have Alex and Stewy in this club,” Grabau said.
“It is different with other clubs and guys moving around heaps but it is great to see a guy like Alex stay in Cairns.
“Alex loves the place and this club – it is good to see that.”
Loughton, who drove the Snakes to victory in the season opener against Illawarra, is in his eighth season with the club and is the only player remaining who featured in the Taipans’ grand final appearances of 2011 and 2015.
The long-bomb shooting forward has played 261 NBL games in total over 10 seasons after starting his career with the Perth Wildcats.
Grabau said Loughton was a perfect person to have around a basketball team.
“Alex is one of those guys who loves the sport of basketball and the people that are in it,” he said.
“He is one of those guys that cannot sit still, he has to be involved with everything and that is why people love him.
“He is the type of guy that would do anything for you.”
After playing a key role in the Cairns Marlins’ QBL title in 2016, Loughton decided to have a stint with the Perth Redbacks in Western Australia’s SBL this winter.
Redbacks coach Nik Lackovic said Loughton was a positive veteran influence.
“I have got a lot of time for Alex,” Lackovic said.
“He is the kind of person we need to surround our young guys with around the club.”
Tonight’s game will be the first all-Queensland NBL game at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for 21 years.