GARY Boodnikoff will be back in Cairns Taipans colours on Wednesday night, revelling in the atmosphere of the NBL's most ferocious derby.
Boodnikoff has missed the past two games after injuring his left knee in the Taipans’ home win against New Zealand almost a fortnight ago. But he is expected to be back in action on Wednesday night when the Taipans take on the Crocs in Townsville.
Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2009-10
Boodnikoff took the court for the first time in about 10 days at yesterday’s training session.
"It was interesting, I wasn’t real quick on my feet," he said. "I was thinking about it a bit, but by the end of practice I was all right.
"You second guess a few things you do until you know you can do them.
"I’m pretty sure I’ll play on Wednesday and Friday (against the Blaze on the Gold Coast).
"I think by Wednesday I will (have full confidence in it).
"(Yesterday) I was a bit funny but (today) I’ll pick up a bit and by Wednesday, I’ll be right."
Boodnikoff sustained the injury when he went to change direction quickly in the clash against the Breakers, sending a scare through the camp when he fell to the floor clutching at his left knee.
"I just went to pivot. The doctors said when you go to pivot like that and you’re not locked in, or you’re on a bad angle, it just gives way and the knee lets go, and that’s what happened.
"I just twisted it. The good news is I didn’t do any meniscus damage or ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) damage or anything.
"But I got bone bruising through it. It just hurts to stretch it right out."
Boodnikoff said the Taipans would head to Townsville confident they could get a win on Wednesday.
"The good thing about this league is that on the road or at home anyone can get anyone, there’s no outstanding team right now," he said.
"Everyone’s on six or seven wins. You know going into any venue you can get a win. It’s up and down but that’s probably what’s good about this league.
"You need to get your wins at home. Unfortunately, I think we’ve lost two at home which hasn’t helped us at all but we picked up Melbourne in Melbourne which is maybe a make-up for one of those losses at home.
"But we’ve got to go into your road games thinking we’ve got to get some wins on the road to make the playoffs."
One of the Taipans’ home losses this season came against Townsville in a game where Cairns’ players were accused of lacking passion. And they are unlikely to get a break or receive a friendly welcome in Townsville on Wednesday.
While the atmosphere will be hostile, it is something the players revel in.
"It’s always good going to Townsville. I suppose it’s the same when they come up here," Boodnikoff said. "You know it’s always going to be a good match no matter what happens."
