Hoops

Confirmed: Jawai signs with Cairns for three seasons

Certainly looks like it. Good luck to him but makes a bit more sense now given what he was on at the Wildcats and the Taipans not exactly swimming in money.

As part of the deal securing his return, Jawai will assume the role of ambassador for the Cairns Taipans Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Initiative, an expansion of the club’s existing Sea Swift Taipans Indigenous Programme, in conjunction with the Queensland Government.

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/bamagas-nathan-jawai-to-return-to-cairns-taipans/news-story/f8f39b0c94f07e7d3b86d89b7ca88989

So reading between the lines Cairns secured funding from the government for this? Was this a reason Cairns was able to afford him??

His time in Perth retrospectively couldn't have turned out any better, he played most of the season and despite back soreness he still helped win a title.

Cairns are a big old frontline and if I was a young big then I'd try and make my way up to Cairns as a pre season training player and you may get 11th spot... They certainly need a youngster that they can teach and give their undeniable insight to.

Good luck to Cairns, I think they will be fun to watch with Wortho, Nate, McCarron and Gliddon... If Weigh can knock down his perimeter shots then they become very formidable and that's not to mention Trigger's inside game or the unfulfilled talent of Loughton and the imports to come.

... They should have high ambitions this season

We never really get to know the full story, but perhaps the length was the deal-breaker with Perth?
They were possibly offering better money, but only on a year by year basis. 3 years will give him some security.

It sure is a big, heavy, old front line for the Snakes. They desperately need a gun point guard and smalll forward from their import selections.

Perhaps they'll find a mobile big guy who can defend the perimeter for their 11th signing. Also, look for Fearne to play some small ball with:

Import PG
McCarron
Gliddon
Weigh/Worthington
Loughton/Worthington, or

Weeks
Gliddon
Import SF
Weigh/Worthington
Loughton/Worthington

Fearne is probably the only man on the planet capable of getting Nate to frop the 10-15kgs he really needs to drop in order to play his best basketball.

What I thought was funny about the deal is that there's an NBA/Europe out-clause for Nate!

Will this aged creaking front court be the most fouling in the League.
Ever?
Unless Fearne seals the perimeter with subsequent signings, what else can they do?
A re-run of Markel Starks would guarantee it. [All the wonderful speed and no ball pressure.]
United et al will revel.

Jawai's weight isn't the issue. It's how his whole body can cope with an entire season without a Knight and Jervis relieving him of minutes.

Jawai is a great asset. But requires a lot of management.

^ while I agree that sometimes we are a bit harsh on the bloke with respect to his medical troubles.

You can always judge a paid professional athlete on their weight. It's just a part of it.

Top bloke, great player all the best to him and cairns. Did an amazing job at his time in Perth, no one can judge a person on his weight?

There may be medical reasons he can't drop the weight, it's not always because you indulge in food.

It's a bit boring to hear about his weight, if he is happy that's all that matters.

Look forward to see him in the jungle. Nice tweet from the cats, thanking him for last season.

I hope for Cairns sake they signed Jawai with a injury clause because based on his recent fitness and health issues he will not get thru a season let alone 3 years without his over weight body breaking down.

Jawai has had numerous opportunities to really dominate
where ever he played but unfortunately he never had the discipline to get himself into good shape by losing 10+ kilos. Now he's entering his 30's back home around family and friends the perfect surrounding to fall in the comfort zone trap letting the Cairns fans down by not leading the team back to the NBL finals.

Signing Jawai could cost Fearne his job if they dont get into the final this season!

Cairns have a very ageing front court.

I think it will prove to be a win/win on many counts...

If I am the wildcats I let out a big sigh of relief. It was a win/win with whatever he chose to do really. If he stays, you get a fairly productive centre for 20 mins a game who impacts the game greatly.

If he leaves, it is by his choice and you avoid the fans anger. And you get to go and sign an import/marquee in his place who will be in shape, play more minutes and not be as injury prone.

I dont have any issue with the length of the contract. I just really hope he makes the effort needed to get his health right.

XY, he may not be able to play that long due to health issues but barring that I would think he will be fine.

Either way, at least Cairns have guaranteed that if he can, it will be for them.

Wow, That might be a risk by Cairns. I would not have thought that Jawai had three years left in him? He turns 30 before the next season starts and his body type does not seem conducive to a long career into his 30's.

There have since been announcements from Cairns and the NBL about a confirmed deal - 3 years.

Womens

Norwood-Tigers @ Mars
Luck may be on the side of the Tigeresses if Norwood are still down on players and relying on reputation to get this one. Tigers played a great come back game a fortnight ago and need to snuff the Flames early to have any chance of venturing deeper into the jungle. Norwood, at full strength, at home will be hard to beat, but a depleted Norwood may need some help from the refs in the Tigerhunt.
West-Sturt @ Port
This is going to be a goodie, no a great game. Sturt have just gone about their business all year without much fanfare. West have got the job done too, but with the talent available have usually had enough in the tank most games. Both teams pipped by the Eagles for top spot. Chances of Sturt slipping under the defence of West are pretty slim at Port Misery. After the game, a Sabre rug will go nicely into the bar to match the Panther, Lion, and Tiger rugs to complete the set of wildcats.

Men:
Eagles-North @ Wayville
This is the “Crusader’s Final”. The prize for who-ever wins this game is a final against either an angry Sturt, or a desperate Norwood on THEIR home court. Yep, it’s like whoever wins the battle has to go and slay the dragon. What fun. Who will play the part of Shrek? Will be very close game. Both teams need to be out of the blocks early and force the other onto the backfoot. Eagles will look to Riley inside and reckon we’ll see plenty of 3PA’s in the first quarter to push for an early 10 point lead. Rockets will be looking for their big man too and guards will be going 1 on 1 chucking 3PA’s like a lazy man chucks a sickie after a long weekend.
If this doesn’t go into overtime, the final play will decide. Slightly leaning towards Eagles.

Sturt-Norwood @ Pasadena
For Norwood to threepeat from 3rd will be something special. They face an uphill battle, but one which should inspire anyone. I can’t wait to see what some of these guys look like in 10 yrs time. Who will do the best Darren Jarman/Darren Lehmann after retirement?
Sturt will be very hard to beat at home and I suspect have more firepower – Sturt by 7. Sturt may win round 1 on home turf, but Norwood will re-group and plot their ultimate demise (insert evil laugh). An early loss will put the pressure on Norwood, but Webber will save his magic for GF day. Surely he couldn’t do it again? A slab of pales will go his way if he can. Reckon this game will see some Westies lurking in the crowd like a politician at a strip joint.