Focus turns to Loughton as skipper’s long career draws to a close

Is Alex Loughton the greatest Cairns Taipan ever? With the current captain of the Far North NBL club nearing the end of his near-on two decade career as a professional basketball player, it is a question that many people will be asking over the final few weeks of the campaign.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 26: Alex Loughton of the Taipans warms up before the start of the round three NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers at Cairns Convention Centre on October 26, 2018 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

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Is Alex Loughton the greatest Cairns Taipan ever?

With the current captain of the Far North NBL club nearing the end of his near-on two decade career as a professional basketball player, it is a question that many people will be asking over the final few weeks of the campaign.

The popular 35-year-old has built an impressive resumé in Cairns that goes close to surpassing all of his peers.

The title of greatest Taipan ever does need to be defined.

The power forward is not the most talented player to ever wear orange, that title could go to any of Scottie Wilbekin, Martin Cattalini, Nate Jawai, Jamar Wilson or someone else, but for Loughton’s body of work since 2010 — it is hard to argue that he is not the best ever to play for the club.

“He is 100 per cent the most significant, there have been guys more skilled, stuffed more stats, but none have done more for the club,” a long-time fan noted this week.

When it is all said and done, he will be second on games played, trailing just behind club legend Aaron Grabau, who has had his number eight retired by the Snakes.

Former teammate and close mate of Loughton’s, Cameron Tragardh, has no second thoughts about how important he has been to the franchise, with number 40 set to follow eight.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA — JANUARY 03: DJ Newbill and Alex Loughton of the Taipans celebrate after winning the round 12 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Brisbane Bullets at Cairns Convention Centre on January 03, 2019 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“Alex Loughton, his jersey should go in the rafters in game one next season,” Tragardh wrote in his weekly column last week.

Grabau retired after the 2012-13 season, meaning he only featured in one of the club’s grand final appearances, while Loughton went to the big dance on two occasions.

Loughton remains the only player in both Taipans Grand Finals campaigns in 2011 and 2015.

Loughton has either been captain or a co-captain across four different seasons — but surprisingly, he has never claimed a club MVP award.

I was shocked to discover that when researching for this column.

I assumed he would have one, or even two, such has been his consistency over the last decade.

The 2017-18 season was one that got away for Loughton with the club MVP, beaten by co-winners Cameron Gliddon and Mitch McCarron.

But, his importance to the club was displayed with the other awards he won that night — Member’s Choice MVP, along with the Player’s Player Award and Coaches Award.

The season of 2018-19 has certainly been one to forget if you support the Cairns Taipans but over the next few weeks, everyone gets to celebrate the outstanding contribution Loughton has made to the sport in the region.

Most NBL games for the Cairns Taipans

405 — Aaron Grabau

246 — Alex Loughton

223 — Anthony Stewart

183 — Gary Boodnikoff

171 — Cameron Gliddon

155 — Kane Oakley

Originally published as Focus turns to Loughton as skipper’s long career draws to a close