Big man Baynes boosts Boomers ahead of World Cup

An NBA centre, two AFL Cairns products and a Cairns jockey feature in this week’s edition of FNQ exports.

Australian Boomers players Chris Goulding (left) and Aron Baynes pose for a photograph during a Boomers media opportunity in Melbourne, Monday, August 19, 2019. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

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Mareeba centre Aron Baynes helped Australia level their series against Canada on Saturday evening in Perth.

After Friday’s defeat, Australia were boosted by the inclusion of Phoenix Suns big man Baynes as he finished with four points and five rebounds before fouling out.

Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis said post-match his team rediscovered their identity after a confidence-building 81-73 victory over Canada.

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Australia travel to Melbourne for games against the USA on August 22 and 24 in their last warm-up games before the World Cup.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — APRIL 27: Alex Davies of the NAB AFL Australian Under-17 in action during the NAB AFL Australian Under-17 v New Zealand match at Marvel Stadium on April 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

■ AFL Cairns products Alex Davies and Michael Selsby were in the Gold Coast Suns’ NEAFL side that upset Sydney by 35 points at Tramway Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Far North teenagers shared in 25 touches against the AFL opposition as Manunda junior Davies also laid five tackles against the Swans.

Eighth-placed Gold Coast concludes its 2019 campaign against the Giants at Metricon Stadium this week.

Elsewhere, Timakoi Bowie kicked a goal as Southport defeated NT Thunder in Round 20 of the NEAFL.

Urban Bourbon with jockey Sonja Wiseman. Picture: NIKKI WESTOVER

■ Cairns jockey Sonja Wiseman rode a winner at Katherine Turf Club on Saturday afternoon. Wiseman lifted Honour The Work, trained by Neil Dyer, in the $17,500 Maiden (1000m).

Originally published as Big man Baynes boosts Boomers ahead of World Cup