Page 81 - Tropic Magazine Issue 24

TROPIC • SPORT
February

8. The NBL names Mike Kelly the league’s “Coach of the
Year,” while DJ Newbill takes home the “Best Defensive
Player” award. Scott Machado is also voted Fan’s MVP
and to the All-NBL First Team, while Cam Oliver gets
named to the All-NBL Second Team.

5. Cairns rings in 2020 celebrating a huge 92-84 triumph over
the SEM Phoenix. The Orange Army was packed to the rafters
to cheer on the stunning import trio of Machado, Oliver and
Newbill as they combined for 65 points to hold onto home
court.

9. At the highly-coveted
Taipans Annual
Awards event, Scott
Machado is named
MVP, Cam Oliver wins
Fan’s MVP but Head
Coach Mike Kelly
steals the show –
announcing he has
re-signed with the
club for another two
years.

6. The Taipans celebrate Nathan Jawai’s Torres Strait roots with February/March
a unique kit designed by talented Badu artist, Naseli Tamwoy.
His artwork “Lagaw Dhanalayg” (meaning Ailan Life) is The Taipans throw everything and more at the Perth
adorned across the trademark Taipans orange and becomes 1o.
one of the club’s fastest selling uniforms. Wildcats during the semi-finals, pushing the eventual
2020 NBL Champions to three games. The exciting
series included a roof-raising Game 2 in front of
yet another sold-out crowd at home, which would
7. Prior to tip-off, the Orange Army have 24-seconds of applause ultimately cap their last game of the season in Cairns.
to honour the great Kobe Bryant, following the fatal accident
that shocked the world. The Taipans and Hawks also agree to
run the shot clock down at the beginning of the game, taking
the time to embrace their team mates instead.

MORE: taipans.com

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