Taz Donovan Worthington

Hi all just wanted you to give you an update on my home life. At 1 a.m. on Friday the 20th of November my partner Andrea and I welcomed Taz Donovan Worthington in to our lives. Taz weighed in at 6.5 pounds and was 50.5 cms in length. Andrea is well and we are going through the sleepless nights and constant laughs that Taz provides us on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who has emailed, twittered and called about Taz. He is a healthy and happy kid and that's all we can ask for.

Until next time have a beer for me, unless it's Taz, your only allowed milk.

Cheers Wortho

Digging a ditch

Well after tonight's disappointing loss to the Townsville Crocs I'm left to ponder what sort of hole we have dug at this point of the season. I understand that we do have Chris Anstey to come back but surely we can't place this much pressure on the big fella to turn our fortunes around. When we do get him back he won't be able to play half a game straight away. He wouldn't have played a game since game 5 of the grand final series in March. He won't have his proper Chris Anstey factor until the playoffs. 

Bottom line the Melbourne Tigers need to turn it around and quickly. We can't rely on Anstey to be our saviour. We can't continue to lose. The way we are playing we will be done before Chris comes back. 

Passion, desire and desperation is lacking and hugely responsible for why we are in the position we are in. I apologise to our fans, sponsors and owners. We need to turn it around quickly otherwise we can kiss goodbye our championship aspirations for 2009/10.     

Until next time have a beer for me 

Wortho

Wollongong believer

Hands up if you thought Wollongong was in your bottom two at the start of the season. If you still have your hand down your either A) a gong supporter or B) full of crap. From an outsider looking in I can only stand up and applaud the club, community, coaches and players for the way they have started off this season. Sure we saw them win the preseason blitz up in Darwin but who truly believed that when the bright lights were on that the gong would be sitting in the top 2 after 10 games. 

Gordie has his troops fit and firing on all cylinders at the moment and Ty McKee has been there go to man and he has delivered majority of the time. How about our aussie boys? What's different from last year? Sav and Matty Campbell are arguing less and playing every possession without frustration on a previous call and it' working for them. Trigger is proving he is a offensive weapon consistently and his MVP blitz performance wasn't a one off occasion. Larry Davidson who surely is leading the NBL most improve category by a country mile by proving his worth on both sides of the floor with his shot blocking, rebounding and long range three's. While Coenraad, Gruber and Martin are providing energy and efficiency off the bench.

Off the court they along with Townsville and Perth have been doing the most internet interaction with Twitter, player interviews and of course Pull The Trigger. Overall the Hawks are rewarding the local community for pulling together to save the Hawks thanks to a determined Matt Campbell and they look like they are having fun playing hard night in and night out.

Until next time have a beer for me

Wortho.

P.S. On a side note, my partner is less than 3 weeks away from birth of our first child. Hopefully it comes sooner rather than later but there will be an announcement when it happens.  

Scott Butler

Hi guys. First off I'm really sorry that it's taken so long between blogs but I have had major problems with the internet at my place. Hopefully it has been resolved and we are back for good.

Now I would like to get down to business and talk about the best ref in the NBL Scott Butler. Why is he the best ref? Quite simple, he isn't seen on the basketball court. He makes the calls that he should and doesn't make the calls that he shouldn't. He talks to players and coaches in a civil manner and is always looking for feedback throughout the game without prejudice. 

Ask any player in the league and they'll tell you who the best is and it's Scotty B. I've also seen Scotty on an international level and let me tell you he is one of the best in the world. He understands situations and players traits and calls the games accordingly. I look at Luke Schensher who stands up with straight arms but stills gets called for blocks because he is unique to this league and refs aren't use to it. I think Scotty lets those calls go. I'm not saying he looks after players I'm saying he understands the game. 

All in all I think most players would like to rock up to the game and see Scott as one of the refs and the NBL should realize they have one of the best in there own backyard.

Until next time

Have a beer for me

Wortho 

Mail thief update

We got him. We nabbed the bastard. It happened yesterday before the start of our baby shower slash excuse to drink with our friends. I'll ensure you that Andrea was not drinking. Anyways my cop friend who I had called the other night was on her way to the party when she came across a man that fitted the description of our mail thief. Needless to say Starsky and Hutch were onto it. Benny and I jumped in my sweet tigers car and drove over to where the suspected thief was with my friend. As we turned the corner we saw the same guy we saw the other night. His details were taken and hopefully he won't be back again. So thanks to our quick witted cop friend and Benny's ability to slide across the car bonnet so we could get to the location as quick as possible we got him. Our streets are safe again.   

Joe Ingles Q & A

Jumping Joe Ingles blasted on the NBL scene 3 years ago and the young lofty lefty from SA has elevated his game and taken it on the road over to Europe. I got to catch up with my former dragons teammate and roomate while celebrating his 22nd birthday. 

MW: Where are you and how is it going?

JI: I am playing in Spain, ACB league for a team called CB Granada. Going great so far, we are 6-1 in preseason. Had a big win last night (October 2nd) against a Russian Euroleague team. Personally going well, had 25 last night, really fitting into the team and system.

MW: What do you miss the most about Australia already?

JI: Im actually surprised that I like it here as much as I am. I have great teammates who 9/12 speak great english, which made it a lot easier. I think just being able to see friends and family on a daily basis is the hardest thing. Of course I miss my old team (Dragons) and my housemate! 

MW: What influence did goorj have on you last season?

JI: Goorj was great for me, I think it was just what I needed before heading over to Europe. He was tough on me everyday no matter what, he knew how to get me going and pull me back into line. He was a big reason I think I am playing like I am now.

I don't miss him telling the same story once a week though :)

MW: How was your Olympic experience?

JI: It was definately the highlight of my career so far. Not only representing my country which was what I grew up dreaming about but do be there is a great group of guys was unreal. Walking around the village, eating in dining hall and doing washing you are always bumping into some of the greats of their sports. Opening ceremony was unexplainable and something I hope to do again in my career.

MW: What will Joe Ingles do after basketball?

JI: Hopefully not much, I obviously want to play as long as I can hold my own and help a team. If I can invest my money correctly I would love to retire and maybe do something with young kids basketball. 

I have also spoken with close mates, yourself and Gibbo about starting or investing in something together which I would love to do with some mates. 

Until next time have a beer for me

Wortho

Jesse 4 ROY and the croc's v cats build up

Tonight I was glad to see young Jesse Wagstaff a Metro State graduate like myself play well. Jesse stepped into Metro the year that I left and it looks like Coach Brandon Hays has done a great job with this ACT kid. Jesse joins the list of Metro State players to come back and play in the NBL. Luke Kendall, Dave Barlow, Drew Williamson, Kane Oakley, Todd Gower, Lee Barlow, Daniel George and I have all walked before him and he is now the next inductee. He showed his versatility and confidence throughout the game. He didn't hesitate to shoot the rock when it was close at the start of the 4th (none of them dropped) but oozed confidence that the Wildcats thrived on. He was a big reason they beat the crocs tonight. He would have to be clear favorite for the ROY and has all the tools to be a great player in this league for sometime to come. 

It was interesting to hear the build up to the Croc's v Cats game as well. Some ill-feeling has now turned these two teams into bitter rivals. Homicide who is undoubtedly one of the premier point guards reminding the cats of last year and the feisty nugget Brad Robbins not backing down. Two things are fantastic about this, 1) The publicity that it gained this week not only for the respective teams but also the NBL was superb. 2) Two of the toughest guards in the league talking the talk but also walking the walk. Corey a great offensive weapon verse Brad a defensive pit bull. It's exciting. After it's all done throw them in the boxing ring for 8 extra minutes that you don't get in the NBL anymore and you have yourself the ultimate promotion.

Until next time have a beer for me

Wortho