Posted on 25 July, 2017
The Cobra Men easily dispatched of the Melbourne Tigers on Retro Night behind impressive all-around performances by Auryn Macmillan and Owen Odigie. Macmillan discussed the Cobras win and their battles with an ever changing roster this season with SEABL’s Roy Ward.
Article via Roy Ward, SEABL.com.au
Kilsyth Cobras have made a habit of making late comebacks this season and perhaps that trait could see make a last gasp entry into the SEABL East finals.
With two games to play, the Cobras need to beat Albury-Wodonga on the border this Saturday night and then beat competition favourites Mt Gambier in Kilsyth the following Saturday night.
On top of that they need Sandringham to lose one of their remaining two games.
Cobras veteran Auryn Macmillan has previously played on several settled and consistent Kilsyth sides but this year admits there has been too much “drama” in regard to injuries and missing players.
In many cases, the Cobras were simply victims of bad luck or bad timing but still they have stayed in the fight and perhaps they are due a spell of good fortune after losing Daniel Dillon and Alex Vanrenen to season-ending injuries and impressive young player Gabe Hadley to college basketball.
“We have a new look team, new coach and some great young guys which had made for an interesting season but it’s been more dramatic than we would have liked,” Macmillan admits.
New Cobras coach Justin Schueller has led his side well as they have been focused to make regular changes to their rotations and their side – all while trying to stay in the finals race.
“We have been forced to have a lot of contributions from guys who wouldn’t have had these opportunities,” Macmaillan said.
“Right now we are tied for fourth and if we win out we are a good shot at playoffs.
“We will need Sandringham to lose a game but that is entirely possible as they don’t have an easy run and this season from top to bottom there isn’t any easy games.”
After his NBL years with Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne, Macmillan has played both overseas and in different states including Rockhampton Rockets where he played in the Queensland Basketball League last year.
Then he decided to come home to Kilsyth and he returned with wife Laci and baby son Atlas who is 15 months old.
In between his basketball Macmillan has been adjusting to life as a parent and working with a startup company based in Boston who run an online eSports platform called firstblood.io
As always, Macmillan has offered points and rebounds along with a steady presence for the Cobras and he has enjoyed the chance to return to the club.
“It has been a bit of homecoming for me.
“Last year in the QBL was fun and something different with the warm weather and different club and vibe.
“But I wanted to come back and be closer to family and to my home club because I have basically played my whole career here.
“Most of the young guys in the squad are guys I’ve had contact with in the Kilsyth juniors, about half of the D League guys who have been swinging up to our side are guys I’ve coached at junior camps or individually or on teams.
“It’s really cool to see them come up and have that opportunity to play at senior level.”
With two games to go, the Cobras will look to the likes of Macmillan, Owen Odigie, Tariq Naqqash and Chris Patton to lead the way and their young bench to follow.
The Cobras had an 84-67 win over Melbourne Tigers at Kilsyth last round and Macmillan said it boosted the side’s confidence and gave some younger players a chance to play on home court.
“A guy like little Mitch Dielemans have been busting his arse at practice all season and doesn’t get much an opportunity in games so it was good for the home crowd to see guys like him play.”
Macmillan is looking forward to the challenge and he thinks anything is possible if his side can make the top four.
“It feels like we have been in playoffs for seven or eight weeks already.
“If we do scrape in we won’t have to get used to the pressure of the playoffs as we have been through it for weeks on end.”
