Taipans favourite calls time
DWAYNE Vale's five-year association with the Taipans has ended, with the energetic guard to head to the Gold Coast at the end of the ABA season to start a life outside of basketball.
Vale was told more than a month ago the club was going in a "different direction" in signing exciting young swingman Daniel Dillon and with only an import small forward and back-up big man to sign, he is not in the Taipans’ plans for season 2010-11.
The Mt Isa product became a fan favourite in his five seasons with the Snakes – the first three as a development player before he forced his way into the top 10 after a breakthrough 2007-08 season.
"I’m disappointed but on the other hand I’m looking forward to what I’m going to do," said Vale, who is showing great form for the Marlins in the Queensland Basketball League.
"(The Taipans and I) spoke about it probably about six weeks ago that they were going in a different direction and I was happy with that.
"But my partner and I are moving to the Gold Coast once the (ABA) season’s done.
"I love this place and I love everyone around it and I’m definitely going to miss it but it’s time to move on.
"You can only go forward, there’s no use in holding on to something that hasn’t happened."
Taipans general manager Mark Beecroft said Vale was a great example of a young player that used the Taipans Academy as a platform to develop his game
after being lured from Townsville as a junior.
"He did a great job in working his way into a position as a contract player," Beecroft said.
Vale’s devotion to the Taipans can certainly not be questioned.
A member of the team that had its salary cut by 45 per cent when the club went into administration in late 2008, Vale wanted nothing more than to remain a Taipan and represent the region with pride.
"He did a terrific amount of work off the court for the club," Beecroft said.
"He won the inaugural community award for the club at our presentation dinner at the end of last
season.
"We set a standard for players (in terms of community work) but he went over and above what was required in that area."
Vale averaged just 1.9 points per game last season, spending extended time on the bench as the Taipans failed to fire offensively.
His overall career stats are better – he averaged 3.9 points per game and 6.7 points in his outstanding 2008 season, which included an 18-point effort which handed Cairns a vital win in Singapore.
But he said he would not be looking for another NBL job.
"I’m moving into the real world – 8am-5pm, 9am-5pm, whatever it is," he joked.
"It is disappointing but good luck to them, I hope those boys go well."
"I’ve got friends for life in that team with Bobo (Aaron Grabau) and Kerry (Williams) and Crossy (Ian Crosswhite)," he said.
"I’ve enjoyed my time here, I’ve loved everything about it.
‘‘I can’t fault anything that’s happened here."
Share this article
Moving on: Taipan and Cairns Marlin Dwayne Vale will be leaving at the end of the ABA season.
Patterson eyes world records
CAIRNS disabled swimmer Grant Patterson will be gunning for world records when he competes at the Australian Short Course Championships, which start tomorrow in Brisbane.
Spain wins World Cup, beating Holland
SPAIN has won the World Cup Final 1-0 - but they needed to wait for 116 minutes for Andres Iniesta to fire the winner past Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Eels and Cowboys desperate for win
PARRAMATTA skipper Nathan Cayless declared his Eels were a club in crisis last week but the Cowboys prop James Tamou yesterday responded with an equally honest assessment of his club ahead of their important NRL match.
Hunt to sit out Cairns match
PRIZED Gold Coast recruit Karmichael Hunt will be a spectator in the stands when his side play the Bendigo Bombers in their VFL match at Cazalys on Saturday.
Winterbottom salutes in Townsville 'war zone'
CHAOS reigned supreme in North Queensland yesterday, when the streets of Townsville erupted in a sea of twisted metal as the V8 Supercars turned the town into a war zone.
