Phoenix ‘ploughs through’

SOUTH East Melbourne Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell has given an insight into the Covid restrictions NBL players face.

Following his side’s 89-65 blowout win over New Zealand, Mitchell said his charges had adopted a mindset of “ploughing through” a system involving at-home lockdown for three days before each game.

“Seventy-two hours prior to a game, we are in lockdown, complete lockdown, like Victoria was for 200-odd days,” Mitchell said.

“We don’t leave the house for anything but training, unless we need to get some groceries or get some medical assistance – those are our only reasons to leave home.

“The days previous to that, we’ve just got to be really cautious on where we go and how we act and make sure we’re protecting each other.”

Mitchell said the potential for Covid-related absences had heavily influenced the Phoenix’s recruiting strategy.

“(We made) sure that everyone’s a multiple position player,” he said. “Everybody can play multiple positions, because you’re going to lose guys during the year.

“We’ve had numerous scares … Devin (Thomas) is in quarantine right now just through bad luck, being on a flight (from Qatar).

“Dane Pineau had some bad luck the other week – nothing that he did wrong, but he came in contact with somebody who had it and he’s in quarantine for a week.”

NZ coach Dan Shamir was missing from the sidelines during the loss to the Phoenix as he recovered from Covid-19, which struck a number of Breakers last week.

Mitchell is not expecting it to be as easy for Phoenix in Friday’s rematch. “They’re a quality basketball team … they’ve been through incredible obstacles to be where they are right now,” he said.

“On their night, they’re going to be tough as hell.”