Cairns Taipans ready to rumble
NOT in our house. That's the message Cairns Taipans players sent the Perth Wildcats on the eve of tonight's NBL clash at the convention centre.
Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2009-10The Taipans are adamant they will not take a backward step against a Wildcats team they say has been allowed to play a particularly physical brand of basketball in Perth.
However, enforcer Ian Crosswhite said the Taipans were not entering the game with "payback" on their minds.
"I think it’s just a game that we know we want to win – we need to win," Crosswhite said. "Yeah, it’s going to be physical, that’s just the way they play.
"They’re physical and over there they can do whatever they want, but now they’re over here and it’s time for us to show them how we play over here."
Taipans Tony Rampton and Rich Melzer and Wildcat Galen Young were ejected in the 86-61 loss in Perth last month – a result which virtually killed off the Snakes’ playoff hopes.
Rampton, who engaged in a push-and-shove with Young that sparked a melee, said the Taipans would not be intimidated on their home court.
"We’re not going to back down," Rampton said.
"We’re playing at home and we’re just going to go out there and play our game and see what happens."
Melzer was on track for one of his best games of the season in Perth before being ejected for entering the court from the bench during the fracas.
He said the Taipans were not looking for a fight tonight but they would not back down either.
"People forget, we spanked them when we played them over here earlier in the season," Melzer said.
"We spanked them in the pre-season.
"We dropped a couple down there (in Perth) but I don’t think it’s really (as) indicative of our preparation as it is of the style of play that goes on in Perth.
"It’s going to be a pretty fair match here and we’re all expecting to win."
Melzer said that the Taipans were keen to show their early season results had been no aberration.
"What we’re doing here (in training) should definitely show on the court," he said.
"I think we all firmly believe that."
But the Taipans cannot expect the Wildcats to be pushovers, with Perth coach Rob Beveridge saying his team would change "absolutely nothing" about its style of play given it had done nothing wrong.
Tonight’s game at the Cairns Convention Centre tips off at the earlier than usual, at 6.30pm, to allow for live coverage on Fox Sports 2.
Share this article
Standing firm: Taipans' big men (from left) Ian Crosswhite, Rich Melzer and Tony Rampton prepare to tame the Wildcats at training yesterday.
Fury keep finals hopes alive
North Queensland Fury has overcome off-field dramas to keep its slim finals hopes alive after defeating Newcastle Jets 2-1 at Dairy Farmers Stadium last night.
Mason may find white Knight in Newcastle
Player power may not be enough to guarantee Willie Mason an NRL lifeline from Newcastle.
No whingers here, says Cairns Taipans coach
THE Taipans have hit back at Perth claims that they are "whingers" but know their complaints about the Wildcats' playing style means they have to walk the walk in tomorrow's NBL clash.
Cowboys' sales pitch to Mason
Rugby league vagrant Willie Mason will have to sell himself to North Queensland coach Neil Henry when they "chat" about the discarded Rooster's NRL future today.
McNeil proud of his teams
FOR eight Cairns hot-shot hockey players and regional coaching director David McNeil there has been barely an off-season.
