LEADERS STEPPING UP

Q Mark Worthington brought so much in terms of leadership and voice before he retired. How can the team fill his void?

A I think Alex Loughton took a back seat when Wortho was here. Al is a natural leader, he is always talking and having banter with the guys. Cameron Gliddon has learnt a lot from Wortho too. There are a few of the guys who have to step up into that leadership role. (I am) there too, I am not saying I am going to be captain of the club, but we are all there and have experience. I think it is going to be a group effort.

Q The Taipans finished second on the ladder after the regular season in 2016-17 and then went out in the first round of the finals. What improvements do you feel need to be made?

A We tended to have dead spots in our offence. At times we did not know what to do. We did not have that guy that you can give the ball to and he can just go one-on-one. We need someone that can just go and create offence. Hopefully it can be myself. Scoochie and Mike could be it too but it is early in the season to say that. We need to be more focused in the second half of games.

Q You have had two years back in the NBL, battled injury, played at two different clubs and while you have been solid, I would not say you have come back from Europe and really dominated like you can. Do you feel you need a big season personally?

A I am trying to. I have worked really hard on my eating, my health and my weight this off-season. I want that big season. It would help myself but most importantly, it would really help the team. It would make things easier for everyone.