SNAKES’ SHOT AT FINALS
MARCH TO GLORY:
THE last time the Taipans qualified for the playoffs, then coach Aaron Fearne delivered a memorable quote in a postmatch press conference that resonates with today’s team.
Sitting next to veteran forward Mark Worthington following a late season win, Worthington noted how well the Snakes had restricted their opposition in the game.
“We won by playing defence, baby,” Fearne said with a huge grin.
Fearne loved his defence and that is exactly the way the club played for a decade when he was in charge.
Now, on the verge of returning to the post-season for the first time in three years, and the first time since Fearne departed – club co-captain DJ Newbill channelled the former mentor following training on Wednesday.
“One of the biggest things I appreciate about this team we have this year is that we enjoy playing defence,” Newbill said.
The 27-year-old Newbill would not have been saying that in his first season in FNQ, but this season, the club are only rated behind likely minor premiers Sydney when it comes to defensive rankings.
“We enjoy locking guys down, we enjoy getting up on guys and making it hard for them,” he said.
“We enjoy when our team is making big stops, big blocks, or steals – we celebrate that.
“A lot of teams celebrate three’s or dunks, we celebrate defence and I think that is what separates us right now as a team.”
The third-year NBL guard, Newbill, says the Snakes playing group genuinely believe they are championship contenders this season, understanding they are good enough to defeat Sydney or Perth in a playoff series.
Rookie forward Kouat Noi is on the verge of playing for the first time in six weeks tonight following his ankle bone bruising. The athletic Noi took part in most of Wednesday’s session at the Fish Tank with coach Mike Kelly optimistic the time has finally come for his NBA-bound youngster to suit up once again.
“We have been hopeful with him every week and that was the best he has trained with us and the longest he has been out on the floor,” Kelly said.
“I did not notice him favouring anything, he was great and playing hard, fighting and in the middle of everything.”
Illawarra are the only team Cairns have not beaten this season and the Taipans are the only team that Illawarra have not lost to.
Illawarra are the only team coach Kelly is yet to beat as Taipans head coach (zero wins and seven losses). Kelly played the final 41 games of his career with the Hawks in 2005 and 2006. A win tonight should lock up a finals spot for Cairns with three regular season games to play.