Uncertainty over NBL season slows Cairns’ plans for NBL1 North

Uncertainty surrounding the end date of the NBL season has slowed Cairns Basketball’s make-up of its rosters for the NBL1 North competition but the organisation is confident it will field competitive teams.

UNCERTAINTY surrounding the end date of the NBL season has slowed Cairns Basketball’s make-up of its rosters for the NBL1 North competition but the organisation is confident it will field competitive teams.

The schedule for the new competition was released on Friday, with both the Marlins and Dolphins to start their campaigns against Mackay on their home floor on May 15.

Fabijan Krslovic in action for the Marlins in 2019. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

But the continuing uncertainty surrounding the end of the NBL season and how much it will affect the first NBL1 North competition means Cairns Basketball general manager Mike Scott is yet to finalise his rosters or coaching staff for either team.

The issue extends beyond the sporting side, with officials and other off-court personnel linked with Cairns Basketball and the Taipans.

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“Everyone knows that we’re linked at the hip with the Taipans’ organisation at every level of game day,” Scott said.

“It’s not just players in the men’s programs, it’s coaches across both programs, score benches, stats benches, floor wipers, volunteers, ticketing systems – we’re all linked at the hip, and the crossover of the two seasons will create challenges.”

While the NBL is yet to lock in a finals date, Scott believes the Taipans will qualify for the NBL play-offs, which, by his estimation, could mean they are still on court in June – one month after the Marlins start their 2021 campaign.

Anthony Fisher’s good form for the Marlins in 2019 led to his elevation to the Taipans roster for NBL20. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

And that presents a major problem for the Marlins in particular, with several Taipans players and staff suiting in the blue over winter.

“If they make the play-offs, which I still believe they will, and they live up to our expectations similar to what they were able to play last year, they’ll still be playing at the end of June,” Scott said. “We have no idea where they’ll be on any particular day, and that’s the challenge we have to try to get our head around.

“We’re still a work in progress. We’re confident we’ll put on the floor two competitive teams with quality coaching staff. That’s probably the best we can say at the moment.”

Kerry Williams has coached the Dolphins for some time and spoke last week of his desire to return to the team.

Jamie O'Loughlin coached the Marlins in 2019, and is currently the lead assistant coach at the Cairns Taipans. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Taipans lead assistant Jamie O’Loughlin would be an ideal candidate to return as Marlins coach but could be on NBL duty when the NBL1 North season tips off in May.

Scott did not comment on the appointments, with neither finalised as Cairns Basketball assesses its options.

“We’re going through the establishment of the coaching panels at the moment, and with the uncertainty as to when the NBL will finish, that creates challenges as to the availability of coaches.

“We’re working through with the Taipans over the next two or three weeks to find out what it looks like going forward.”

Scott is optimistic the season will progress as scheduled, with the Marlins and Dolphins to hopefully take the floor in front of a full home crowd.

“We depend big time on corporate support,” he said.

“As you look around our stadium, we’ve got 30 corporate boxes, and we like them to be full because they are the backbone of our program, as well as the support from our season ticket-holders and casuals.”

Originally published as Uncertainty over NBL season slows Cairns’ plans for NBL1 North