Snakes ready for United: Fearne
Can the surly Snakes beat a hungry Melbourne United on their home court? The answer is 'yes' according to longtime Taipans mentor Aaron Fearne.
Cairns Taipans coach Aaron Fearne says his squad is keen to put Sunday night’s unusual loss to the Brisbane Bullets behind them with a win against Melbourne United tonight at Hisense Arena.
The Taipans (4-5) lost 84-76 to their Queensland rivals following a blackout late in the fourth quarter.
Fearne says he was disappointed with the result but has moved on.
“We didn’t play great,” he says.
“I thought we got beat up a bit. That’s something we’re going to have to be better at if we’re going to be a playoff team.
“We were okay for patches but ultimately that doesn’t get it done. Melbourne’s season is on edge right now.
“So I’m sure they’ll bring everything at us.”
Melbourne United have recruited new import Casper Ware following the shock axing of former League MVP Cedric Jackson.
Ware, a 180-centimetre point guard with NBA experience is expected to suit up against the Taipans.
“He’ll be a Jerome Randle-type player,” Fearne says.
“He’ll be strong and aggressive and quite quick.
“He’s a fringe NBA guy. He’s played with [United centre] David Andersen [in Europe] so he’ll have some familiarity with him.”
The Taipans will welcome fellow import Travis Trice back from a hip complaint suffered against the Illawarra Hawks in round four.
“He’ll play,” Fearne says.
The Taipans had won four out of their last five games before their disappointing home loss to Brisbane.
Guard Mitch McCarron says the Taipans are keen to make amends.
“We know we didn’t play that well on Sunday,” he says.
“We’ve got to move on and focus on Melbourne which would be a huge win for us on the road.
“We’ve put in the work. Every day we’re putting up extra shots. My shot feels good.
“I’ve just got to take the right ones and knock them down.”
United star Chris Goulding is expected to play after missing almost a month with an ankle injury.
