NOSTRA- TUXUS’ 2018 PREDICTIONS
IT’S time to put my neck on the line. To write that predictions column which will probably be republished ad nauseam on social media with the hashtag # Tuxmock when they prove to be well wide of the mark.
But at risk of tarnishing what little reputation I have left, here’s what my crystal ball has prophesied will unfold in Townsville sport in 2018.
ETHAN LOWE TO MAKE HIS ORIGIN DEBUT
Cowboys coach Paul Green said at one stage last season the back rower is “an Origin player every day of the week”, but cautioned against expecting too much as he recovered from a serious neck injury. Now he has got rid of the mental demons his game should go up another level this year, and he certainly wouldn’t look out of place on the Queensland bench. His young Cowboys teammate Coen Hess made his debut last year after he was named in the Maroons Emerging Squad, and Lowe is capable of following the same path.
SUZY BATKOVIC TO CLAIM A SIXTH WNBL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD
The Townsville Fire captain is nothing short of a phenomenon. At 37, she’s still doing things the best 25 year olds in the country can only dream of, and you wouldn’t back against her playing until she’s 40. To still be averaging 20 points and ten rebounds per game despite playing with four stress fractures in her back is remarkable. She sucked the life out of Sydney in game one of the semi final series on Thursday and she deserves the trophy again.
NORTH QUEENSLAND UNITED TO AVOID RELEGATION IN DRAMATIC STYLE
Let’s face it, no one expects North Queensland United to contend for a National Premier League title after they were close to being extinct just a few weeks ago.
Simply staying in the top flight after their inaugural campaign would be a big achievement, and I predict they’ll keep us on our toes right until the end.
A win in the final round will be enough to keep them in the top flight.
PAUL GREEN TO SIGN THE LONGEST COACHING DEAL IN COWBOYS HISTORY
It won’t be at the level of Jason Taumalolo’s unprecedented ten- year contract, but North Queensland will ensure the game’s best young coach won’t be going anywhere else any time soon by locking him up for several years. Having taken the team to a premiership, a preliminary final and a grand final appearance last year, Green can name his own price. Losing him would be an unmitigated disaster for the club. They won’t let it happen.
FLAMES CATCH FIRE IN THE QBL
It was the boy’s turn to win the Queensland Basketball League title last year, but it will be the girls who lift the trophy in 2018. Spearheaded by centre Darcee Garbin who has been in superb touch for Townsville Fire in the back half of the season, the Flames will have too much offensive potency for their opposition.
Wishing everyone all the best in the New Year.