Medal man Norton in demand as free agent

TOWNSVILLE’S gold medalwinning Boomer Mitch Norton is now a free agent and has attracted attention from “some clubs” ahead of the NBL season start.

The Illawarra Hawks guard said winning gold at his first Commonwealth Games after beating Canada 87- 47 was “amazing”.

“The Comm Games is a great experience,” Norton said.

“It’s only the second time basketball has been in the Comm Games.”

Basketball was introduced to the Games in 2006.

Norton, now back in Wollongong, said he expected to meet New Zealand in the gold medal final. But Canada upset the Kiwis in the semi- final, clinching a narrow 88- 86 win to force New Zealand to play Scotland for bronze.

Attending the closing ceremony on Sunday night, Norton said it wasn’t what he expected, with athletes entering the stadium before the show started without doing a lap of honour.

“Still, it’s an amazing feeling walking out with the Australian team,” he said.

Now in the off- season, the 25- year- old is off contract and sitting out a “nerve- racking” wait in anticipation of news on his future.

Norton helped the Hawks finish fifth last season, one place above the Taipans.

He gave little detail on any possible NBL signings but hinted at the possibility of playing for the Cairns Taipans, saying it would be nice to play closer to his home city, although he confirmed he was in talks with other clubs.

“Free agency is open, now I’m just dealing with some clubs and agents,” he said.

Nine of his Hawks teammates are also off contract: Cody Ellis, Rhys Martin, Kevin White, Nick Kay, Rotnei Clarke, Tim Coenraad, Oscar Freeman, Demitrius Conger and Delvon Johnson.