Mental errors plagued the Taipans once again as they let a 14 point lead slip away and let Wollongong out of the bag in the process.

Three wins from eight starts and third bottom on the ladder won’t be sitting well with coach Aaron Fearne and rightly so. After checking out the stats it all seemed pretty much even except the Gongers shot the ball at 43% to our 33%.

It was either good defence by them or an inability by us to put the rock in the hole – or more than likely a combination of the two.

It amazes me that with the quality of offensive players this team now has. How can we only be averaging less than 60 points per game?

Cam Tragardh only had 8 points in this one and Jamar Wilson 6. Our top scorer was Loughton with 14. This will not win games!

I think the next fortnight is huge for the Snakes and if the 'Loss' column keeps mounting maybe there are internal problems that may start leaking into the public. Player unrest? Let’s hope not and this would be nothing a few good wins won’t fix.

My tipping has gone from absolutely glorious to woeful in one round (1 from 4 last week) so I’ll have another crack.

Thursday, Perth vs NZ – Perth by 5
Friday, Cairns vs Sydney – Cairns by 8
Saturday, Townsville vs Perth – Perth by 10
Sunday, Melbourne vs Gong – Gong by 4

Anyone who tipped 36ers to beat Wildcats last round in Perth’s new 12500 pax stadium would be sipping out of a Peroni bottle instead of a VB as it paid $5.

Happy and responsible punting.