Skipper blows whistle on his brilliant career

WELL after the final buzzer sounded on Saturday afternoon, the longest current tenured Taipan was still taking selfies and slapping hands with fans in orange.

Just a few minutes later, the Snakes skipper would tell his teammates in the locker room that the 2018-19 season would be his last, ending arguably the greatest ever Cairns Taipans career.

Showing appreciation to the club’s fans and having a laugh with his teammates – that is what sums up the retiring Alex Loughton.

Many had thought the current season would be the last for the popular 35-year-old before the decision was sealed over a meeting with coach Mike Kelly on Thursday ahead of the clash with Adelaide.

He will get a fitting farewell this coming Saturday when the Snakes host the Brisbane Bullets, before a tough doubleheader on the road in Round 18 ends a near-on 20-year basketball career.

Loughton will go down as the second highest capped Snake in the club’s history, only behind a close mate of his, Aaron Grabau, as well as featuring in both grand final series.

“We came up short in both those grand finals but I was thinking about it and the thing I am proud about is how you go about your business,” Loughton said. “The way we battled and fought.

“I will hold that close to me when I move forward.

“Those are the memories I will cherish. Just the way guys kept fighting and we put ourselves in a position to be in those grand finals.

“Nine years here … there has been a lot of highs.”

When Kelly was handed the job in the off-season, the first call he made was to Loughton, before the pair had a coffee to set their plans for the 2018-19 season.

Loughton is a player first, but has become a go-between for the playing group and the coaches over the last few seasons.

“He’s been big time for our group and me, in particular,” Kelly said.

“Al has been right there, step by step with me.”

He has had 39 20-point games, including 15 doubledoubles

He currently boasts a 59 per cent winning ratio in Cairns, winning 73 games out of 124

I FEEL MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY REALLY GOOD ABOUT MOVING FORWARD

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg Queensland legends Darren Lockyer and Gorden Tallis The Courier-Mail’s rugby league experts Peter Badel, Robert Craddock, Paul Malone and Travis Meyn Monday March 4, 2019 | 12 – 2.30pm Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane

PLUS:

Single ticket: $165 Tables of 10 available

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE TEAM PLAYER: Cairns Taipans captain Alex Loughton shakes hands with Taipans fans after the round 16 National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Snakes and the Adelaide 36ers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Hear from new Brisbane Coach Anthony Seibold on the eve of the 2019 season at the NRL launch event of the year in Brisbane. Hosted by Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson, the lunch will feature a Q+A with Seibold, plus a panel discussion with the Head Coaches, and Captains/Senior Players from the Broncos, Cowboys and Titans.