The Taipans promised the fans the world during the week after a lacklustre year thus far and as a result we actually got to see a bit of Mars and Pluto on Sunday. Until now this season has only delivered Uranus!

Fearney concentrated on work ethic and mental toughness during the week at practice and it may have paid dividends.

I got to see this one live and the Snakes made very light work of the at the time ladder leaders – Wollongong (now second). The home team shot the ball extremely well which always helps but coach Fearne seemed to have the trump card up his sleeve. Gun point guard Jamar Wilson.

He looked sloppy early, turned the ball over badly three minutes in and got dragged. He was replaced with Shaun Bruce – yeah Shaun who?

I knew he was on the roster but it was strange to see a ‘no name’  running around in a critical part of the game and critical part of the season in a must win situation. He’s obviously been training the house down as the coach had the confidence to inject him and this guy delivered!

He played 15 minutes and had 7 points (2/2 from the land of plenty), 1 assist and 3 rebounds and if I hadn’t been there these stats would barely have been a blip on my radar but this kid was a huge reason they won the game.

He can shoot, has the poise to run the team and can play ‘D’ and possibly played his role perfectly on Sunday – except he had 1 turnover and missed a free throw – smarten up Azza!

I also think that Jamar Wilson steadied his game after this as competitions for spots is important in this caper.

It was nice to see something different and the perfect result for Aaron Grabua and Dusty Rychart who were celebrating milestones. Grabau notched up 400 games (10 points 3 rbs – 12 mins) also showed his class,  and Dusty, 300 games (0 pts & 3 rbds) is no doubt closer to the end of his career than the start.

Did you know, however, the big fella started in the NBL in 2002 and was cut by the Victoria Giants so it’s been a great effort to notch up 300 and be a star for over a decade.

Don’t be surprised if Dusty plays some big games before he signs out as the championship forward (Bullets 06/07) certainly knows his craft.

Kudos also to under the pump import Shane Edwards who also was valuable in his minutes. I was sure he’d be on a plane mid-week but he can have a momentary gasp of air – not sure for how long though...

Tips for round 10

Friday – Perth vs Gong, Hawks will bounce back and win this by 5
Saturday – Sydney vs NZ,  I love Hammer but Lemanis and Cedric are legit, Breakers by 12
Saturday – Townsville vs Melbourne, Crocs 2 in a row? Yep by 12. Anstey in strife!
Sunday – Adelaide vs Perth, Perth by 40 (ok just 22). Please sack your coach 36ers. Joyce or Gleeson are waiting!

For those that put $20 on Townsville last round for their first win this season enjoy the $400 sitting in your account right now.

Enjoy the bye but get on a roll Taipans!

NG