Perfect time for Snakes to strike

BLINK and it’s already Round 5.

And the Taipans are sitting nicely in the top four.

The condensed schedule means more basketball and I’m not going to complain.

This week sees the men in orange face title favourite Melbourne United on the road tomorrow, and then back at the Snakepit on Saturday for a 2015 Grand Final rematch with the New Zealand Breakers.

Many experts predicted the pure talent of Melbourne to carry them through this early stage of the season.

But the glitz and glamour line-up have not quite hit their straps or found their groove.

This is a perfect time for Cairns to strike.

Aaron Fearne has the Snakes playing at a high intensity, and has them re-energised since the inclusion of Michael Carrera to the line-up.

Melbourne’s Chris Goulding is considered by many to be the face of the league, but the Boomers shooting guard hasn’t set the world on fire since his return from injury.

The tag team tandem of Cameron Gliddon and Mitch McCarron will be out to make his life tough as well.

Taipans point guard Scoochie Smith’s battle with Casper Ware will be worth the price of admission.

But, the key to victory for the men in the North will be the matchup between Michael Carrera and Melbourne’s prized recruit Casey Prather.

Can Carrera keep his emotions in check and stay out of foul trouble against the slippery Prather?

With Carrera in the game it takes the Snakes defence to another level, with his rim protection. Opposition big guys will be looking over their shoulder for the fiery Venezuelan, as he hunts down blocked shots.