SERBIAN SNIPER IS BACK FOR HUNGRY MARLINS
THE Cairns Marlins will charge on the court at Early Settler Stadium for their season opener with the Serbian Sniper at their side.
It’s been a long NBL season for Taipans’ Mirko Djeric, who was named in the Marlins’ team for their Saturday night home opener against Ipswich Force.
The Cairns forward spent most of the NBL22 season on the injury list, grappling with a nagging calf and quad issues.
“I took a lot to deal with initially, because it’s never really happened to me to be out this long,” Djeric said. “I’ve had a few niggling injuries here and there before, but this one was really mentally challenging for someone that’s so competitive.
“I want to compete every day – (I’ve been) having to take a back
seat and learn from the sidelines so I try to do that.”
The 27-year-old won’t be the only Taipan to take to the court against the Force, with teammate Ben Ayre joining him for his first season as a Marlin.
The 26-year-old training partner had plenty of highlight-worthy moments in his limited minutes
late in the season, something Djeric hopes to continue.
“You just never know when your time’s going to come,” Djeric said.
“He’s been here since the start of the (NBL) season, this whole year our team has been injured.
“It’s ridiculous, but he’s always been ready, he’s always been training hard and I’m just glad he got that opportunity to show everyone in Australia he can hoop.”
The Marlins squad will feature plenty of familiar talents, including Cairns stalwarts Deba George and Curt Ahwang, as they look to go one better than last season’s loss in the championship series.
Without the talents of Taipans shooter and reigning NBL1 North lead scorer Majok Deng, who has signed for the Force, the Marlins want to regain their place atop the NBL1 North.
Prior to the Marlins game, a Cairns Dolphins side loaded with talent to take on the Force’s women’s team at 6pm.
Opal and recent WNBL champion Cayla George headlines a Dolphins team which will fellow Melbourne Boomers champion Penina Davidson and former WNBL gun Amy Lewis.