Change of plan suits Marlin
If basketball does not work out for Marlins coach Jamie O’Loughlin, a move into working at a travel agency might be on the cards. Adelaide 36ers development player Caleb Davis was about to fly back from the US last month, thinking his final destination was Perth to compete in Western Australia’s SBL. An unexpected conversation with O’Loughlin changed his flight path to regional Queensland and the Marlins.
IF BASKETBALL does not work out for Marlins coach Jamie O’Loughlin, a move into working at a travel agency might be on the cards.
Adelaide 36ers development player and current Marlin Caleb Davis was about to fly back from the US, where he was visiting his girlfriend last month, thinking his final destination was Perth and the Stir- ling Senators Australia’s SBL.
A quick and unexpected conversation with O’Loughlin, who he had a relationship with following Australian junior days, changed his flight path to country Queensland.
The new Cairns QBL coach needed an extra big for the first five games of the season, with recruit Fabijan Krslovic yet to land in the Far North.
“I was flying back from the in Western States into Sydney and Jamie changed my flight from Perth and instead I was flying to Toowoomba to play for the Marlins,” Davis said.
“It all happened fast; we only spoke two days before and then suddenly I am playing three games in a weekend. Jamie did well to get it done.”
The stretch big man is unsure if he will gain another deal in the City of Churches so the option of a Far North switch makes sense, playing and training in front of new Snakes coach Mike Kelly and his incumbent assistant O’Loughlin.
The West Australian gets his last chance to impress Kelly tomorrow night before he returns to Perth and the Marlins welcome big man Krslovic for the rest of the season.
Davis has averaged almost 10 points and seven rebounds in his short stint.
“The short deal with Cairns helps me get in front of the Taipans coach Mike Kelly and helps the Marlins to add an extra big man for a couple of weeks,” Davis said. “It works for both of us. “It is difficult fitting into a new side but the guys here have made it easy for me. I have only played a few games but I think I have done well.”
The Marlins and Dolphins host Rockhampton tomorrow night at the Fish Tank.