Top billing for Coast’s hoops fans

A NATIONAL Basketball League clash between the Brisbane Bullets and Melbourne United will complete a supercharged fortnight of sport on the Gold Coast.

It has been confirmed the Bullets and Melbourne will meet at the new Carrara Stadium on Saturday night, October 28, a week after the major motor racing event the Gold Coast 600.

Carrara Stadium, venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games basketball, is also the venue for a match between the Bullets and China on July 18.

The NBL match is a fourthround fixture and NBL chief Jeremy Loeliger is expecting national interest in a clash between two of the competition’s biggest franchises.

“We are delighted to be bringing NBL back to the Gold Coast,” Loeliger said.

“The Gold Coast is a great sporting region and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the Bullets to expand their footprint.

“Together with the game against China on July 18 this is a terrific result for the NBL, the Gold Coast and fans who enjoy top class basketball.”

THE Gold Coast Rollers found life tough without last season’s Bullets star Torrey Craig, who is in America trialling for a contract in the NBA.

The Rollers men lost 92-69 to Rockhampton at Southport over the weekend.

The Rollers were slow out of the blocks and trailed 26-14 at quarter-time and by 57-37 at halftime.

Chris Fowler hit 41 points for the Rockets, who completed a double after their women beat the Rollers by 87-72.