The Sky’s the Limit

Starting the season with a raft of injuries, the Phoenix were behind the eight ball from the season's opening tip.

That slow start instantly became a memory when their full line-up hit the court as they rattled off four wins on the trot. 

Ahead of the FIBA break, a loss to Melbourne United stalled momentum. Head coach Simon Mitchell knew the team would carry the burden of that loss with them for a week and a half before returning to the court for round seven. 

"We have to carry the burden of that loss for a week and a half until we get to Perth to play the Wildcats again, and then we come back and play Melbourne United. We'll be looking forward to that one," Mitchell told Yarra Valley FM last week. 

The break came at a good time for the Phoenix, who lost two of their three co-captains, Ryan Broekhoff (hamstring niggle) and Kyle Adnam (covid), in the hours and minutes leading up to the Throwdown.

(Broekhoff will be set to return for round 7.)

"The break certainly came at a good time for us; circumstances for the break aren't exactly how we envisioned them. We had so many injuries at the start of the year that we considered this break a perfect period for us to get healthy. But this last week with losing Ryan Broekhoff with a little hamstring twinge, he will not miss any games, which is great, but we will have to nurse him through this period," he said. 

Mitchell was not deterred by where the Phoenix sat, 5-4 and fourth on the ladder. He is excited to get a healthy team on the court and keep building the continuity of his team.

"We are in a perfect spot; we're 5-4. Given our circumstances, I was hoping anything 500 and over would be fantastic for us leading into this part of the season. Being above 500 and we can get a few guys healthy this week. 

"It allows us, when we get the team altogether after the FIBA break, to go on a bit of a run, to get a little continuity into the group. Start building towards something we feel is pretty exciting for us," Mitchell commented.

If NBL23 has been anything, it has been unpredictable; however, as surprising as it has been, both Mitchell and co-captain Mitch Creek believe this team has what it takes to be in the thick of it come finals.

"That four games period where we got everyone on the floor together and won those games, they were close games, but we showed some signs. The good thing for us is that the guys aren't fit, so they will grow together and improve. I think there is a real promise in this group and perfect chemistry, and I think the sky's the limit," Mitchell said.

"We get everyone healthy; we can beat anyone. We've proven that so far. I think four in a row is great, but I think we can do better this season. It's going to be exciting, but we just need to get everybody on the floor first," Creek said to SEN last week.

(Phoenix will be looking for revenge Saturday afternoon when they face cross-town rivals, Melbourne United, after their loss to them a fortnight ago.)

Phoenix travel to Perth on Wednesday to play Thursday and return to the Fire Pit for Throwdown XVIII on Saturday.

"Firstly, the margin blew out in that one (Throwdown XVII); we were poor throughout the whole game, even at halftime when we were down by three. For us, we've got to do better defensively; that was our poorest performance in our time as a club, to be honest. There were some reasons for it, like the late outs and some guys carrying some illness into the game," he said.

"Firstly, just getting guys healthy, making sure we're defending up and down the floor and executing the offensive end, but it's got to be down at the defensive end."

Tickets to Throwdown XVIII are selling quickly, Courtside and Heartland are sold out, and only 15% of tickets remain. 

Get your tickets to Throwdown XVIII on Saturday, November 19, at 5:30 pm.

CLICK HERE to secure your ticket.

Phoenix Media (16/11/22)