UNI MEDAL, MARLINS, HELP DUO
FOR George Blagojevic, it is about confidence, and for Jamie O’Loughlin, he has a few extra coaching skills in his tool kit from a successful trip to the World University Games with the Emerging Boomers.
The Marlins pair returned for QBL action on Saturday evening as their club toppled Logan Thunder, just days after they claimed a bronze medal in Europe.
New Marlin Blagojevic played a key sixth man role for Australia while O’Loughlin was able to pinch a few tricks of the trade from NBL championship winner and respected mentor Rob Beveridge.
Playing in Italy, the Australians recorded a dominant 86-69 victory over Israel – who they had lost to by 28 points earlier in the tournament – in the bronze medal match.
O’Loughlin is hopeful the experience will benefit the Marlins in the back end of the QBL campaign.
“It is a confidence thing for George – continuing to grow with confidence – because he has had a very different role at college (and) now here in the QBL,” O’Loughlin said.
“He has been challenged with new things because he is the ultimate utility guy; he has played under the basket in college and ran the point for us on Saturday.
“For me, that was my first time working with Bevo. It was great to spend time with him and his game, and add to the list of elite coaches over the last decade that I have been lucky to work with.
“You can see why Bevo is successful and I can steal a couple of things from him and put it into my tool kit.”
Blagojevic dropped 15 points, on 5-9 shooting, to go with six assists on Saturday night.
Cairns will be more than confident of securing a home final now, defeating fellow likely finalists Logan before hosting the lowly Gladstone this coming weekend, who have won just one game this season.
Led by former Snake Mitch Young, the Thunder went on a few second-half runs but never looked like upsetting the hosts.
The Marlins coach and Taipans assistant can never fault the way his side plays looking to put the ball in the bucket, but can still see plenty of improvement at the other end of the floor.
“Defensively, I think we were a little up and down and erratic through that period,” O’Loughlin said.
“We have some work to do and we need to find a way to defend better.”
Earlier in the night, the Dolphins fell to 4-13 for the season.