DJ's Corner – Player Column Volume 5

Hey 36ers fans,

Welcome to another edition of DJ's Corner. Since we last caught up we have played another five games, made a big roster change and are now in Melbourne for the NBL Cup – so it's fair to say I have a fair bit to catch you up on! 

Our last five games have seen us win three games against the New Zealand Breakers, Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets. That one over the Bullets was on the road last Saturday night too in Brisbane in what has been our only road trip so far this season. 

However, we have also dropped our second games in back-to-back contests against Sydney and Brisbane on our home floor. As I’ve mentioned previously making adjustments between games in these back-to-back mini series that we have really for the first time this season is going to play a huge part in the success of any team in the league. 

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to execute thus far in the repeat games. Our attention to detail in our scout and delivering sustained effort to outwork our opposition are areas we’ve flagged for improvement going forward.

Also unfortunately our import guard Donald Sloan and the Club agreed to part ways after our Round 4 games. Donald has since returned home to pursue other opportunities. I’d like the thank Donald for coming in and being a great teammate and helping the team get out to a great early start in our season. 

The club has signed Jeremy Kendle to come in and help us in the NBL Cup as well as signing US import Brandon Paul who is expected to be ready in about a month to play once he's able to get into the country and then goes through the quarantine period. Jeremy has been great in his first week with the team. Using his voice and experience from his time in the NBL previously to help us moving forward. Brandon will join our team in the next few weeks and comes in with high expectations based on his basketball resume. 

Looking forward we have a tough schedule over the next few weeks with eight games in three weeks during the NBL Cup. We have all settled in well in our accommodation in Melbourne and are making the best out of a difficult situation. Being away together as a group has its positives. It gives us a chance to get to know one another better and hopefully work to better execute our systems for the remainder of the season. 

I’d like to congratulate Isaac and Josh for their selections into the recent Boomers squad that will be selected from for the Tokyo Olympics later this year as well. It’s a well-deserved reward for their early season NBL form and I’m hoping it’s just the start to their national team careers. 

Please continue to support us from your lounge rooms over the next few weeks and hopefully we will be back playing in Adelaide soon.

#WeAreSixers