by Nick Gibson

Game 3 of the Reptile Rumble went beautifully for the Cairns Taipans and they now find themselves with a shot at the big one.

Townsville payed the price for not having their imports sorted earlier in the season and just didn’t have enough depth. The Snakes however have been led wonderfully by imports Ubaka and Dorsey all year, and are still playing some seriously good ball!

If there was an award for recruit of the year Daniel Dillon would win it hands down as his exceptional season continues. This guy couldn’t even get a game last season in the NBL and spent all year in the SEABL with Sandringham. He’s now a permanent starting back court buddy with Ubaka and could hold the key to a Cairns title.

Kudos to coach Fearne and the behind the scenes work of guys like Mark Beecroft and Dennis Donaghy who not only saved the club but have turned it into a very competitive outfit within a very tight budget.

If you haven’t already fellas, start some contract negotiations as the sharks from other clubs are watching and circling. They would have got Dillon at a bargain price this season but is probably worth three or four times that now. Hopefully he remembers who gave him the opportunity and gives the Snakes another year or two...

The best part of the Cairns win is it makes a very mouth watering match up against New Zealand.

Ubaka and Dorsey vs Penney and CJ Bruton is worth the price of admission alone and whoever shoots the ball better will probably win.

Game 1 is on live Wednesday at 4.30 (ONE HD) and game two is here at 4pm and is already sold out!

Cairns have to win one in hostile territory whether it be game one or three but a win straight up could give the real possibility that those at Sunday's game might see history in the making!

I’m predicting the first two games will go with serve and Cairns will win in New Zealand in game three in overtime!

I’m so excited with the basketball I have nothing else to report as I don’t know what else has happened! Well done Cairns but the job's not quite done – GOOD LUCK!!

This weeks winners –

Taipans  (Yeah baby!)
Trev Gleeson (NBL coach of the year & champion bloke)
Geelong (still undefeated)
Taipans (so nice I had to say it twice)

Losers -

Townville Crocs (and especially Rusty Hinder)
Fevola (I gave him last week off!)