The Taipans had a great win against ladder leaders Perth last round and other results also went their way for them to sneak back into the top four.

Townsville somehow succumbed to cellar dwellers Adelaide to almost hand us fourth spot. It's probably only fitting these two meet again on Friday night with lots on the line for this 'reptile rumble'!

In fact, this round is a beauty and will go a long way to shaping who will still be alive for the post season.

After Friday's rumble Cairns come home to host the re-shaped Melbourne Tigers and the Crocs play the red hot third placed Gold Coast Blaze on away turf and both will be weary-legged.

It still remains only two of these Queensland clubs can play finals so winners this round will certainly be grinners!

Townsville coach Paul Woolpert has his players on notice after last round's loss and made the bazaar comment that had it been up to him, none of his troops would have received pay cheques after the loss.

Cairns will therefore be facing an angry opposition playing group and crowd at the Swamp on Friday night and a win would be terrific.

On another basketball note it's about time we talked about Jeremy Lin.

The New York Knicks, who have been starved of success for a decade now, seemed to have broken the drought when acquiring superstar Carmello Anthony in a trade recently.

Incorrect!

The Knicks have sucked all season and the New York natives were forming an angry mob and calling for heads at the organisation. Just when things could get no worse a plethora of injuries have swept the club and the coaching staff have been forced to play an inexperienced bench.

Enter Jeremy Lin!

This American born Tibetan (but now being claimed by China) has taken the NBA by storm. The 6ft 6in point guard has exploded onto the scene in the Big Apple and captured the imaginations of this sporting mad country similar to a Hollywood movie (wouldn't be surprised if the script is being written right now).

He has flared, dunked, glided, passed and shot his way into the limelight and New York haven't lost a game since his injection into the starting line-up.

With Melo and Stoudemire still to return could they have found a piece to the puzzle that was already right under their noses? It just goes to show there is one thing more important than talent - opportunity.

If the Knicks go on to win the East and you miss the telecast don't panic - the movie will be out next summer.

Signing out from the Gold Coast where I'll be checking out the Blaze vs Townsville game on Sunday - GO TAIPANS!  

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