Never has the term ‘snakes alive’ been so prevalent as right now, especially when I actually caught one from Joe Blake pre-game Friday night and smashed it down (red my favourite).

Our Taipans are definitely still in the hunt and it’s exciting to say the least!

Friday night’s home win against Perth was important for so many reasons but it proved two things to me; 1. The Taipans are extremely tough at home again, and 2. They are peaking at the right time of the season.

This squad has had all sorts of peaks and valleys (highs and lows) this season and have had some very disappointing performances, but Fearney has them playing a nice brand right now and seems to have some combinations he can adjust to that get the job done.

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that our boys are gonna make the playoffs and they are the side you don’t wanna take for granted. Finals in any sport work on the more wins you get the more chances and home courts you get. The upset is always caused by the team that sneaks into the finals with some serious momentum.

The Taipans right now have confidence, poise and that very important thing called momentum, and they are the team the NBL want to scrape in to the post season as otherwise it’s a two-horse race between Perth and NZ.

Cam Gliddon was wonderful against Perth on Friday in the same vein that Loughton was brilliant one week earlier against Townsville - yes, we have some match winners floating about which makes headaches for opposition coaches.

Gliddon has serious game and has a very mature head on a 21 year-old shoulders. He reminds me of Mike Kelly (ex-NBL legend) with more size and a deadlier shot!

Cam Tragarth might also find some much needed confidence from the outing and Grabau continues to be solid. Import Shane Edwards still makes me nervous but there’s no going back now.

The Snakes have five games left and everything is interesting right now. I think they’ll win three for sure but will be relying on other results all the way home. Sneak in and rattle some cages I reckon – We saw 'em do it two years ago.

Round 22

Cairns vs NZ – Cairns by 55 (an upset would rock!)
Perth vs Sydney – Perth by 13 (who’s gonna beat them at home other than NZ?)
Adelaide vs Cairns – Must win this and hopefully Dusty and Steindl are fit as second leg of road trip)
TV vs Gong – Go Townsville!!
Melb vs NZ – Go NZ!!

Hey Taipans, what did Elvis sing? It’s now or never...