The Road Diary: Anthony Drmic

Adelaide 36ers swingman Anthony Drmic had to not only deal with South East Melbourne Phoenix sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff, but also an influx of ticket requests during the club’s whirlwind trip to Victoria over the weekend.

Drmic said he looks forward to playing in his home state and the extended family circle the dates on the schedule as soon as the dates are released in pre-season.

“I love playing in Melbourne, even before South East was a team, being able to see the family and having time with them and for them being able to get to the game, it’s special to look into the crowd and see your family there,” Drmic said at Melbourne Airport on Monday after the 36ers’ heartbreaking overtime loss the previous afternoon.

“It was a lot of tickets, it was a Sunday game so everyone could come, I think I got up to 15 tickets, a fair amount.

“A lot of Drmics in Melbourne.”

One family member in the stands was brother Frank, who played for South East Melbourne Magic, Victoria Titans, Sydney Kings and South Dragons in the NBL throughout his 11-year professional career, and Drmic said his older brother, after numerous playoff battles against Adelaide, is a 36ers fan.

“Wherever I have gone he has supported, and he has been a huge part helping me in my career, somewhat of a mentor and giving me advice,” Drmic said.

“He has always supported me wherever I have been (playing).”

Frank was recognized at the game with other South East Melbourne legends, including Michelle Timms, Ian Stacker and Darren Lucas, and was seen on the big screen at John Cain Arena.

“Yeah I saw him on the big screen and everyone in the crowd started applauding and I started applauding as well,” Drmic said.

“He had a great career, I’m super proud of everything he has done.”

Drmic said rebounding from Friday night’s home game against New Zealand Breakers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and playing less than 48 hours later is no issue for him.

“There’s no set routine, as I’m getting older is about getting on top of that recovery and just making sure the body is in as good a shape as possible to bounce back,” Drmic said.

“It’s never really been an issue with the back-to-backs, it’s bout making sure you’re ready to go.”

The NBL23 season is the first Drmic has played as a father, and he said the road trips take on an extra significance with son Levi and wife, Jenna back at home in Adelaide.

“It’s different being a dad, miss the little man a lot when we are on the road, it’s even more exciting to get home to see him and the missus of course,” Drmic said.

“We FaceTime everyday, I use to be hopeless with FaceTime with the missus when I was on the road but I definitely at least get in one per day.”

Drmic doesn’t mind who he rooms with on the road and the 198cm swingman is thrilled he is not a driver of the hire cars when the team is on the road and has teamed up again with Daniel Johnson, the pair making a great one-two punch in the front seat.

“I’m actually so happy I’m not driving this year, for the past two years in Brisbane I was driving and it’s just the stress you don’t need,” Drmic said.

“I was with DJ, his wingman in the front seat when I played for Adelaide the last time and now I’ve taken that seat up again and it’s perfect, the perfect duo, I love it.”

A well-known gamer, Drmic has brought back an old favourite for road trips, and he’s getting his teammates on board.

“I’ve made the huge mistake of getting addicted to old school RuneScape again,” Drmic said.

“I got Macca (Mitch McCarron) addicted as well, so on the road, me and Macca jump on the old school RuneScape and play.

“Since becoming a dad I haven’t been able to game as much, so on the road you get a couple of hours to quickly put away some hours.”

Drmic will get more time to game when the side travel to Wollongong on Wednesday for Thursday night’s battle against Illawarra Hawks.