Froling says FNQ a key piece of puzzle
NBL ROUND 7 CAIRNS V NEW ZEALAND
HARRY Froling is a Townsville junior, started his professional career in Adelaide but can trace a key moment of his development and maturity back to the Far North.
The NBL Rookie of the Year frontrunner is preparing to take on the Cairns Taipans tonight after lifting the 2018 QBL title with his home town Heat just a few months ago.
The stretch forward became Townsville’s focal point in the QBL but in an early season game against the Cairns Marlins at the Fish Tank, he was forced to watch the first quarter of play from the bench.
The future Adelaide 36er would only play 22 minutes that night, suspended for the first quarter of the game for missing a gym session with his Heat teammates the week before.
Froling was in Cairns to celebrate Marlins youngster Aron Farmer’s 21st birthday and while things got a little out of hand that night, the 20-yearold admits it was an occurrence that has turned into a positive in the long run.
“It was a bit exaggerated and was not as big a deal as some people made it, I did not get arrested or nothing illegal happened,” Froling said.
“I just had a bit too much to drink and was asked to leave Gilligan’s, it should not have happened, and I missed a gym session with the Townsville QBL boys.
“It was good for me to have that experience because it shows you need to be careful, you can’t step out of line and need to keep things low-key.
“It was a good learning experience for me.”
Snakes coach Mike Kelly knows Froling well from his Townsville days.
“Harry is a great kid and is playing great basketball, his numbers per minute are amazing,” TITANIUM SPARK ARENA, SECURITY TODAY ARENA, TOD4A.Y5,06P.M50PM Cairns starters: Nate Jawai, Rob Loe, Jarrod Kenny, DJ Newbill and Melo Trimble Adelaide starters: Daniel Johnson, Nathan Sobey, Anthony Drmic, Ramone Moore and Jacob Wiley
Ladbrokes:
Cairns $3.30; 36ers $1.33 Kelly said.
“He has a little chip on his shoulder, which he has had since he was young.
“I would love to knock it off this weekend and say something to him but he is a great guy and comes from a great family.”
Froling grew up watching Townsville and Cairns battles in the NBL and expects the Taipans to be up for the challenge tonight, despite their bottom of the ladder status.
“You need to respect every team in this league,” Froling said. “They also have some good role players, Cairns are a dangerous team.
“They are going to be coming in with nothing to lose, I expect that from Cairns every time, I remember all the Reptile Rumbles.”
The Taipans head to South Australia tonight to try to snap a seven-game losing skid. Over their seven game losing streak, Cairns have won just one final quarter and been outscored by 36 points after three-quarter time during that span.
Taipans captain Alex Loughton travelled yesterday and remains a chance to play for the first time in a couple of weeks. KEEP the faith.
Mike Kelly is fighting the toughest coaching battle of his career and that is keeping this group together.
The community must do the same, and rally as one.
I was really impressed with the Orange Army faithful, who came out in their droves to support their men in the near upset of top ranked Perth last week.
The Snakes play another extremely winnable game, in the form of the Adelaide 36ers.
The Sixers are going through a roster change of an important piece, and may be vulnerable.
Adelaide smashed Illawarra last week, but I think that result may have flattered Joey Wright and his men.
Cairns must feed big Nate Jawai early against a much smaller Adelaide frontline.
Use the big fella until he’s gassed, then get him some rest, then rinse and repeat.
If all three imports can fire for Cairns they are a chance to steal this win on the road. There’s plenty of “ifs” and “buts” but I believe the Snakes can rally and are a chance for a breakthrough win.
Keep the faith Cairns.