IT’S been a big couple of weeks for Albury-Wodonga Bandits captain Nick Payne.
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Last Friday he became just the second Bandits player to play 300 SEABL games for the Border outfit, joining club icon and close friend, the late Allen McCowan, in a very exclusive club.
When the Bandits take to the court tonight against Canberra, Payne will equal McCowan’s games record of 302, and, barring injury, will move past him on Sunday when Albury-Wodonga heads to Ballarat.
For Payne, tonight’s game at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre will be something of an emotional affair.
The veteran skipper is immensely proud of his accomplishment but at the same time his heart will be heavy in the knowledge his good mate will not be there to see it.
“It’s all a bit surreal really,” Payne said.
“300 last week, club record this week, it’s very exciting and taken a long time to achieve but at the same time it’s bittersweet; I’ll be breaking a mate’s record who won’t be there.
“I’m extremely proud, to break the record of someone of Al’s calibre is fantastic and I know he would’ve been pumped and extremely proud of me as well.”
Coach Brad Chalmers echoed his former teammate, acknowledging Payne was a shining example — not just for the Bandits but the rest of the league — of what can be achieved through hard work.
“At the end of the day, it’s a fantastic achievement and it’s just sad that he won’t be able to share it with Al, who would’ve been front and centre to pass the baton,” Chalmers said.
“He’s (Payne) one of the most professional guys in the league, in terms of preparation, rehab, recovery, diet and all those things, he really treats this as his profession.
“I just think his work ethic, his ability to battle and play hard is something his peers would consider highly.
“Overall, he’s been a fantastic player who has maximised his abilities and that comes back to hard work and his continued commitment to that.”
Turning his attention to the home clash with the Gunners, Chalmers admitted he was quietly pleased to see the visitors field a far more competitive outfit than the cellar-dwelling teams of the past few SEABL seasons.
Sitting just one game out of second spot in the ultra-tight East conference, Canberra (3-4) did a fine job of off-season recruiting, picking up former Bandits star Jeff Dowdell and Sydney Kings guard Daniel Joyce.
But the real highlight has been the form of first-year import Camontae Griffin, who sits fourth in the league in scoring at an impressive 25.1 points a game.
“Canberra has done a really good job of bouncing back,” Chalmers said.
“Their import has helped them enormously and their NBL talent certainly makes them deeper as well.
“It’s definitely pleasing to see them so competitive again and we certainly know that if we’re 5 per cent off, we’ll lose, so we need to be ready to go.
“We need to take care of these home games; we’re 1-2 at home against three really high quality teams but we have to get on a bit of a winning streak.”
Chalmers maintained the Bandits had to contain Griffin — who has already had two 41-point games this season — if the Border club expected to level its home record at 2-2.
Import playmaker Eric Vann, who looked to have found some form last weekend, will more than likely be assigned the tricky task of curbing the former St Mary’s guard.
“I think the point guard position will be key,” Chalmers said.
“We just don’t want someone coming in here and having a career night on us.
“It just makes it really difficult to manipulate the game in your favour.
“We just want to be making sure we keep an eye on Griffin and then keep an eye on Dowdell — who is a really good player — and then their role players.
“It’s something we’ve been talking about, trying to make sure everyone is doing their job individually.
“We’ve done that in patches, it’s just one of those things we’re continually working hard on.”