Aussies ready to go for gold
Boomers urged to treat Games as Olympic tryout
The Commonwealth Games’ relevance has been questioned in some quarters this week but Boomers veteran Brad Newley has urged his teammates to use the tournament as a job interview for the 2020 Olympics. Newley is the only Boomer in camp this week in Cairns to have competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games before going on to pull on the green and gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
THE Commonwealth Games’ relevance has been questioned in some quarters this week but Boomers veteran Brad Newley has urged his teammates to use the tournament as a job interview for the 2020 Olympics.
Newley is the only Boomer in camp this week in Cairns to have competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games before going on to pull on the green and gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
With Australian NBA stars, including Aron Baynes, Patty Mills and Ben Simmons, likely to fill the majority of the Boomers spots for the 2020 Tokyo Games, Newley says the NBL Boomers need to use the Commonwealth Games as a “mini-Olympics”.
“I was saying to the guys, it’s like a mini-Olympics and if you’re lucky enough to make an Olympic team you can reflect on this as your starting point,” Newley said ahead of their clash with Canada today to open the campaign.
“To be here is a great experience, and you never take wearing the green and gold for granted.
“It’s an interesting time for us. We’ve played a lot of Asian teams recently so to come up against some more physically stronger Commonwealth countries is going to be tough.
“We’ve just got to be ready for everybody.”
Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis said the Commonwealth Games was an opportunity for his squad to put their case forward for higher honours.
“History also tells us that not every player we have in the NBA will be available for the World Cup and/or the Olympics,” Lemanis said.
“Whether it’s injury, NBA clubs putting pressure on them to take some rest or contractual situations, the likelihood is that there will be several positions open for NBL players.
“The Commonwealth Games is a brilliant opportunity for them to continue to put their case forward by showing what they offer at the international level and their ability to perform at a high level in a multi-sport tournament format.”
Way back when Newley was starting out on his international career, the Boomers were eight points down in the third term but fought back magnificently to claim their first ever medal at an international major championship, outlasting New Zealand in a thrilling 81-76 encounter in the gold medal match at the 2006 Games.
The trans-Tasman rivals are again tipped to meet when it matters on the Gold Coast and Newley reflected on that day this week.
“That was a good experience in Melbourne,” the 33year-old said.
“We had a tough final against New Zealand where we were down at halftime.
“That was a stressful time but we got the win in the end and it was a great experience.”
Australia’s opponents this afternoon, Canada, will be young and want to get out and run, says coach Kirby Schepp.
“We have brought over a team of next-generation guys that we hope to play in FIBA qualifiers in the future,” Schepp said.
“We have lots of Canadian university players and we are excited to have these young guys and look at them for future national teams.
“Australia are the team to beat, they are experienced and we know they are tough.”
The Boomers and Canada play the early game today before Nigeria face the Kiwis.
TO BE HERE IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE, AND YOU NEVER TAKE WEARING THE GREEN AND GOLD FOR GRANTED
BOOMER BRAD NEWLEY