Cane Toad Becomes A Hinder-ence

Read below to find out who is intimidated with this creature.

Wow! That is about the only word I have to describe what would appear to be our final encounter with the Cairns Taipans.

The game certainly had the home fans buzzing and has led to some interesting conversations around town.

No, I have never seen someone ejected that fast in a game before. Taipans big man Ian Crosswhite exploded in the face of an official within the first ninety seconds of the game and spent the remainder of the game in the Taipans locker room.

If nothing else it set the tone for the remainder of the game. From that point on, the crowd was on edge and looking for more.

Surprisingly it took until the third quarter to see some more fireworks. This time it was a lopsided scuffle between strongman Rosell Ellis and Cairns guard Dwayne Vale.

There is nothing terribly unusual about a little pushing and shoving. What got exciting in this one was the involvement of the non-players.

One young floor wiper became embedded in the brawl like the meat in a sandwich.
And some of our corporate members got a little closer to the action than they bargained for when this may lay spilled over into a baseline box under on the end line. I had never seen so many people try and save a food platter.

Interestingly enough, I may or may not have seen Cowboys forward Carl Webb actually drop his platter and begin slowly edging towards the court, but that is another story for another day.

I cannot tell you how many people made comment after the game about how basketball could use more action and passion like this to get the fans pumped and excited.

I can’t say that I agree that we need to see it night in/ night out, but it was good to see a little fervor from my team mates, especially against the Taipans.

I also had to have a quiet chuckle to myself when I saw the photo used in Monday’s game report.

In a nutshell, it would appear that while the rest of us had each other’s backs and the battle was erupting, Russell Hinder went ahead and made sure that the ball was in safe hands and clear from any potential danger.

I was not at all surprised to see this moment caught on film. You see, Hinder and his family are regular guests in our home. And it just so happened that recently at the end of an evening of North Queensland hospitality, Rillie style, we tried to send Rusty around the corner with the rubbish for the bin at the side of the house.

“Rusty what’s the matter”, I asked when he returned with a look of terror on his face, rubbish still in hand.

“JR I’m not taking this (rubbish) up the side of your house”, he replied.

“What happened?” I shot back at him.

“There are cane toads up there,” he nervously stuttered.
Don’t worry Rusty,…next time the skinny kid from Toowoomba’s got your back.

You can read my column every Wednesday in the Townsville Bulletin.

News

- Rosell Ellis has copped a $750 fine for his behaviour against the Cairns Taipans, while both Dwayne Vale and Ian Crosswhite got off their charges.

- In a blow for the New Zealand Breakers, Kirk Penney will miss the team's vital road double this weekend. The NBL's leading scorer jarred a knee during practice earlier in the week.

- Perth Wildcat centre Paul Rogers is out for the remainder of the season. Rogers who has been battling injury all year made the decision so the Wildcats can re-activate former St Mary's Gael Adam Caporn.

- A great read about Wollongong Hawk Glen Saville and his career in the Gong.

- James Harvey and Greg Vanderjagt are safe on the Gold Coast.

- Ratepayers to help out Taipans cause?

- Cairns Taipan Martin Cattalini keeps his team's slim playoff hopes alive.

- Basketball's Meltdown

- My own piece of gossip. Look for Joey Wright to be back coaching in the NBL next season.

New Year's Resolutions & Hodge Takes One To Nutz

The Crocs brought in the New Year with a bang,..a solid win over the league leading South Dragons. While my teammates were out on the town ringing in the New Year, I was at home taking notes on some of their New Year resolutions.

Russell Hinder is known for his hustle play and those “one percenters” that help get his team over the line for a victory. And sharing team colours with him for the second time has reacquainted me with the fact that the guy spends A LOT of time on the floor.

Rusty’s resolution: To take the shoe size down by one size in an attempt to avoid tripping over those pesky painted lines on the court.

The “Love Doctor” Rosell Ellis has created a buzz around town on air when he doles out relationship advice every Thursday morning. From what I understand, many of his ‘patients’ are impressed and willing to take on board Rosell’s advice.

Ro’s resolution: To organise “The Love Doctor”World Tour. Stay tuned to find out when the Love Doctor’s tour bus will be rolling into a city near you.

My longtime teammate Kelvin Robertson has provided the team with many a laugh over the past few months (who am I kidding,…years), most recently it has been as a result of his joke telling. And let me tell you, it isn’t the punch line that is getting a laugh.

Kel’s resolution: To tell a joke that I haven’t already heard from my seven year old son.

Anthony Susnjara has been a great addition to this year’s team. His sense of humour and candor can never been misinterpreted. And if there is a random, short lived injury to be had, you can bet it will find a home with him. In his short time with the Crocs, he has already managed to suffer from random leg spasms and neck stiffness that lasted for days. He has been so light-headed that he has nearly fainted in practice and has vomited after an ill placed knee from a member of the opposition.

Sus’s resolution: That his next injury suffered be one that he may actually be able to receive some type of treatment for.

You may wonder just how Corey “Homicide” Williams could possibly be left off such a list as this? Two words: Too easy.

And last but not least, I am betting that all Croc fans would love to see their team can go undefeated for the rest of the season.

Well, I will see you Sunday afternoon when we face the Blaze and we will see if we can carry out this particular New Year’s resolution together.

You can read my article every Wednesday in the Townsville Bulletin.

Something To Make Adelaide Fans Feel Better

The Love Doctor Edition

The Love Doctor has arrived. Click on the image (left) for some of his tips.

This is a must listen for everyone but in particular the ladies who have love problems. My teammate Rosell Ellis has a weekly segment on a local radio show and this morning they added "The Rosell Love Line" to the program.

I can see it already. Women from all over Australia are going to be burning up the phone lines every Thursday morning to have the Love Doctor cure their bedroom problems.

I have not laughed so hard for ages. Here is the soothing voice of The Love Doctor, Rosell Ellis.

NEWS

- New Zealand Breakers (3-0) keep on rolling. The smashed the Adelaide 36ers (2-2) 118-80. 36ers travelled to Auckland rather shorthanded. No Adam Ballinger, Aaron Bruce or Paora Winitana for the men from South Australia.

Once again the Breakers shot a good percentage from downtown, 15-28.

- Corey "Homicide" Williams is playing smarter.

- Perth's CEO Nick Marvin and his Facebook comments.

- Perth Wildcats feel they are gaining momentum. Conner Henry likes it to.

- Cairns Taipans are hoping to break 8 game losing streak against the Melbourne Tigers.

- Wollongong Hawks ready to bounce back.

- Tigers owner Seamus McPeake and Dragons Mark Cowan both feel they are worthy of a franchise in the new league.

- Boti Nagy has some words for NBL CEO Chuck Harmison.

- South Dragons (3-2) get the franchise's first win over the Gold Coast Blaze (0-4), 107-90.

- Adelaide girl "Ashley" hits the "BIGTIME", NBA cheerleading in Minnesota for the Timberwolves.

- Adam Caporn to coach in the WA state league.

- My Philly blogger friend Paulie Danger gets a Q & A with one of the best in the business, Carolyn from And One. Paulie loves his NBL.

- TheSportCount have come up with a creative pictorial of Tracey McGrady.

- I have been slack with NBA info so check here for the latest from the USA.

Impressive Interview

Crikey It's A Croc

Tiny Hinder and his family created a standing room only atmosphere at the airport when he arrived in town.


The off season for the Crocodiles is nearly at an end so I thought now would be a good time to fill you in on how everyone has been going since last season.

Some of the current players have had a pretty busy off season actually.

Kelvin Robertson finally married his long time girlfriend Leigh (Myers) Robertson. Along with this achievement Kelvin has been spending some time working as a pharmacist. I’m wondering if it is really just to pay off the month long honeymoon.

Our other local product Michael Cedar has been improving his game with the Townsville Heat. Cedar is relishing under new coach Rob Rose and with the added responsibility of the captaincy, Mike is certainly developing as a player.

Daniel Egan spent his time here in the north supporting his partner Kirby Dalgleish as she has helped the Townsville Flames maintain their impressive unbeaten streak. Egan was also found on the golf course often or behind his bbq. I hear that he needs a few more off seasons of work in both areas before he can claim to be up to par.

The quiet guy of the group, Brad Sheridan, has had his head buried in a textbook. He has been looking to secure life after basketball by studying to become a certified accountant. His former team the Sydney Kings would have wished he was qualified during his playing days there.

Rosell Ellis has been back in his native Seattle, Washington rehabilitating his ruptured pectoral muscle. A recent You Tube posting I ran across indicates Ellis has recovered nicely.

Then there’s Corey “Homicide” Williams, who has been promoting the release of his own shoe. The “187” can be found in both good (and bad) sports stores here in Australia. Sorry kids, a Mohawk is not included.

New signing Russell Hinder arrived in town earlier this week. Apparently there was standing room only at the airport upon Hinder’s arrival. Hinder who has been playing for the now defunct Sydney Kings did not know how to handle himself with a crowd of onlookers. Something new to any Sydney Kings player.

Rusty, get used to it, people actually come and watch us play here in Townsville.

Youngster Steven Broom looks like he has just walked in off the set of 90210 (Kids if you don’t know this bad 90’s show, Google it.). Sporting two cubic zirconium earrings I can see him playing the role of Luke Perry in the much talked about movie remake of the series. Oh by the way, basketball wise I can see him and me hooking up for some alley-oops.

Since you all hear enough about what I do in the off season, I will close with Brad Williamson, who rounds out this year’s roster. Although he could be confused with my former team mate Drew Williamson at a quick glance, I can assure you they are not the same guy. Brad comes to “the Ville” via Brisbane where he was a member of the now defunct Bullets.

Williamson possesses the ability to knock down the three ball in bunches. He proved this last year by knocking down a record seven three pointers in a quarter. That would be fun to see.

The off season fun is about to end but all the players are looking forward to the new season as I believe we are very comfortable with the group of players we have been assembled.

You can find my article in Saturday's Townsville Bulletin.