Consistency is key to Taipans' success
TAIPANS coach Aaron Fearne has made no secret he isn't happy with the output of his marquee players ahead of tonight's away clash with Wollongong.
The proud mentor said the more experienced trio of Alex Loughton, Jamar Wilson and Shane Edwards needed to start producing more consistently if the team is to find the magical cohesion that Fearne has been searching for this season.
It is that up-and-down form that the coach has blamed for their sporadic 3-4 season record and he hopes they can level it out starting tonight against a similarly inconsistent Hawks.
"Our chemistry isn't great yet and that's what's stopping us from finding an even balance," he said.
"It's a no-brainer, I'm not trying to hide anything. Your veterans need to be a calming factor but we've been too up and down. Jamar, Alex and Shane, our better scorers, our better players need to be consistent."
All three have been sensational and sub-par at times this season, frustrating themselves as much as their coach and the orange army.
Cam Tragardh and Kerry Williams were spared from his criticism, but Brad Hill is another who must start producing near his best more often than not. Rookies Cameron Gliddon and Clint Steindl have also been culprits of inconsistency, but Fearne was willing to give them a bit more room on the leash.
"It is (important that they start to play more consistently).
"But I think you'll have some ups and downs from those younger guys -- you can't have that with the older guys."
It has been a peculiar season for the Taipans who, usually so strong at home, are having more success on the road.
Fearne laughed when asked for his theory behind that, but couldn't hide his frustration at their 1-3 record at the Cairns Convention Centre.
"The way we've lost those three games has hurt," he said.
"But there's no pattern to the losses I don't think. How do you explain it? I don't know. How can Adelaide explaining losing by 35 one night and winning the next? How does Gordie (McLeod) answer beating Perth one week and losing to Sydney the next?"
Indeed, the Hawks went from scoring the most points by a team all season (100) against Perth one week, to the least (51) against Sydney last week. And while they beat Cairns in a forgetful round two battle in the Far North, the Taipans have won in Wollongong on their last three visits.
"We've had some good success down there. I'm excited to go down there and try and get one back on them," Fearne said.
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Let play begin: The Taipans' Cam Gliddon is keen to smash the Hawkes in their clash in Wollongong tonight.














