Cairns Taipans have points to prove
THE future may not yet be certain for the Taipans but that will not stop coach Aaron Fearne looking ahead to determine the best course for next season.
With the Snakes’ playoff chances officially over at the weekend after they lost in Townsville, Fearne has begun to publicly analyse the season.
Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2009-10
"We battled hard (in Townsville) and we put in a great effort," Fearne said after Saturday’s loss.
"But we just can’t score enough … especially on the road.
"We’ve got the third best record in the league at home but you can’t expect to find yourself in the playoffs unless you get something done on the road.
"We’ve failed in that department and we’ve got to improve on that next season."
But mulling over a player group is a difficult task for a coach who does not yet know if his club is going to be in the competition.
Fearne – a foundation Taipan who has graduated through the ranks from development player to assistant coach and now head coach – said he would continue with optimism.
"It is in a way (difficult to think about moving forward not knowing the future) but you want to keep thinking positive," Fearne said.
"We expect to be in the league next year. As tough as times have been around the league and around the country, I’d be very disappointed if the league kicked us out.
"All we can do is the best we can do to fulfil the (entry) requirements and go from there."
The Taipans’ focus this week is firmly on closing out the season with a win against New Zealand on Saturday.
"We know we can’t make the playoffs but we don’t want to finish with the wooden spoon," Fearne said.
"As we’ve said over and over this season, we owe a lot to the community. Is it the last game that will be played here?"
"That’s all the unknowns."
Fearne does not have the answer to that but if it is, he was certain the players would give their all.
"We’ll continue to protect our home court and we’ll prepare as hard as we can."
* Fans have been urged to pre-purchase their tickets to avoid queues at the convention centre on Saturday night. Tickets are available from Ticketlink at the Cairns Civic Theatre, by phoning 1300 855 835 or online at www.ticketlink.com.au.
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