Jack Toft
Years ago
NBL R1 Smash and Grab
'Gong v Gold Coast
It seems fitting that one of the original clubs of the NBL opens this season. The Gong hosts the GC in what should be a crackerjack game. Wollongong are the working class heros from steeltown and have some talent, glossy Gold Coast have had a lot of pre-season hype and remind me of Andre Agassi in 1985. Wollongong have a reliable roster and Oscar will add a dimension to it this season. The loose cannon seems the be Larry the Lounge Lizard. Probably not a case of if, but when will he have another brain fade? Could be a very tight away win to the Gold Coast. Every away win crucial this season. Probably last play will decide game tonight.
Tiggers v Kings
The Kings are back and hit the road first up. The tiggers look pretty tall this season and it would be good to see the Big Bird actually stay fit for a full season. Reckon we'll see the Tiggers bench cleared when the violet crumbles crumble to their first thrashing. This game will give the Tiggers plenty of false hope.
Crocs v Taipans
Queensland is another planet and the green machine look pretty hostile at home, even for their FNQ neighbours. Schensch suits for his third club in as many seasons and the Townsville roster oozes class with Williamson, Cedar, Robertson, Hinder, Crosswell, Crawford. Hinder has got the sought of mongrel in him needed to win tight games - he’s the cell mate you don’t want. Taipans to be milked of their venom tonight.
Kings v Breakers
First home game for the Kings and even the jet lagged Breakers should wrap things up by half time in front of a big home crowd. Welcome back Sydeney. With Kirk "Spenda" Penney back and out to prove why he should be playing NBA, I am expecting a shooting fest from the pinup boy of Auckland. Plenty of showtime in the second half. Bondi could be a ghost town.
Sixers v ‘Cats
GOTR. ‘Cats defending their title come up agains the Sixers who are looking more buff than the boys from Manpower. Reckon if the singlets came off there would be a few milfs in the crowd faint. Wildcats look pretty strong on paper and it’s hard to see too many chinks in their armour. The Sixers will be looking for a quick, fast game to tire out the “Best from the West”, the Cats will be looking to assert themselves in the paint and prove that last year was not a fluke.
Game will be won on the miss-matches, particularly with Redhage, who has the capacity to tear a team apart.
Reckon it might be worthwhile Radford pulling on a Cats top pre-game, slipping into their room and pretenting to be Big Bev, then give the pussycats the wrong plays.....
My heart says Sixers, but head says Cats.
