Reigning Cairns Taipans co-MVP winner Mitch McCarron returns north as star of ‘Greek’ city

FORMER Cairns Taipans star guard Mitch McCarron will make his first appearance in a rival’s jersey tonight for Melbourne United. How will the reigning co-MVP winner be received by the crowd?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 29: Mitch McCarron of United celebrates a basket as AJ Ogilvy of the Hawks reacts during the round three NBL match between Melbourne United and the Illawarra Hawks at Melbourne Arena on October 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

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THE latest census results reveal that up to 400,000 Australians have Greek ancestry, with Melbourne home to the largest population of Greek people outside of Greece.

While there are thousands of Europeans from numerous different countries, and obviously Greeks living in Melbourne — it still is a city in Victoria, Australia.

Some Snakes fans must be scratching their heads today with reigning co-MVP winner Mitch McCarron returning to the Far North with Melbourne.

The star guard told the Far North club in early April he had decided to play in Europe.

Just two months later, Melbourne lured McCarron back to Australia on a three-year deal.

Just as he proclaimed about facing Cameron Gliddon for the first time, Snakes captain Alex Loughton joked that he would try get his former teammate with a hard screens during the 40 minutes tonight.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 27: Mitch McCarron of United drives to the basket against Clint Steindl of the Wildcats during the round three NBL match between the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United at RAC Arena on October 27, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

But, seriously, the skipper says the intriguing contract movements are water under the bridge.

“I think it has been and gone already, he is going to look at his opportunities and work with his agent like every player would do,” Loughton said.

“The agents have the listening ear of the players.

“He is just going on his agent’s direction and we move forward.”

McCarron was the leading local vote-getter in the 2017-18 MVP race, finishing seventh overall, and will be asked to carry a big load with Chris Goulding under an injury cloud.

Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams does not think a return to the Far North will worry McCarron.

“It can go two ways, you can play really well or your emotions get the best of you and you do not play well at all,” Williams said.

“Either way, he is a steady and consistent guy and does a lot of things well.

“He does not rely on one specific thing to impact the game.

“He goes about things the right way.

“I like the way he carries himself on and off the court.”

Originally published as Reigning Cairns Taipans co-MVP winner Mitch McCarron returns north as star of ‘Greek’ city