Ayre’s Marlins ready for do or die hoops clash against full Force fury

Rowan Anderson

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Ayre leads his Marlins in front of Cairns faithful IMAGE: Supplied

Humble but deadly.

Ben Ayre is a player on the rise and has become so synonymous with this Marlin’s squad that they are referred to as ‘Ben Ayre’s Marlins’.

The 26-year-old spoke to Newsport ahead of their elimination NBL1 North Final against the Ipswich Force at Early Settler Stadium this weekend.

“It’s a huge responsibility to get a label like that but that really comes from how good the team has been around me and allowing me to lead and play my own game,” Ayre said.

“The guys around us have been amazing! Guys like Lat (Mayen) who came in halfway through the season have really been great for us.

“We’ve had a really up and down year with coaches coming in, coming out.

“But we all seem to fit in around each other so as much as some may say its ‘Ben’s Marlins’ – I don’t really view it that way but at the same time I understand that responsibility.

“I know what that role means, and I am happy to take that responsibility and want that responsibility – especially going into finals.”

The Cairns Marlins qualified for Finals in the NBL1 North Conference and on Saturday night the Cairns Marlins host the Ipswich Force in what is sure to be a huge clash to whet the appetites of fans.

This Marlins outfit is one built on team collaboration and everybody pulling their weight as Ayre commented.

“We don’t really have a big man – Lat and Jimmy (James Mitchell) play that position for us but realistically they are guards in their natural positions.

“Naturally being a smaller team there is that responsibility to dominate on rebounds and guys like Mirko (Djeric) and Stat (Kody Stattmann) have been big on that this year.

“Coming up against Ipswich its more important than ever for us to rebound the ball.”

He lines up with his squad against an Ipswich Force squad that has hit their straps and announced themselves as smokies in this Finals series.

They are armed with another Cairns Taipan Majok Deng, big American Henry Pwono, sharp shooting NBL stud Isaac White along with weapons across the court which include Ayre’s real life best friend in former Brisbane Bullet development player, Cameron Goldfinch.

“It feels good coming up against him (Goldfinch) because its bragging rights right there,” Ayre laughed.

“We went to college together and he is more like a brother than anything else.

“I would have loved to see him play deep into finals but that’s how it played out.

“I am just excited to have him up here in Cairns for a couple of days so we can catch up real quick.”

Majok Deng is coming off a 44 point and 14 rebound performance last round and along with his Force teammates will be ready to go.

“Jookie is tough! He is a problem. He can play inside or out, and he is going to cause some real trouble for us.

“There are going to be times where I am going to have to guard him whether that is on the perimeter or on the block but.

“He will still get his points – especially in the first half. He is just that talented and we need to pick what we want him to do.”

The Cairns Marlins are no chumps and Ayre gave a glimpse of what the Force squad and fans can expect.

“We are going to have to lock in on the defensive end and just be a bunch of dogs down that end.

“Offensively we have been rolling all year because we have so much talent that can score the ball. The defensive end is where we really kick it up.

“Expect a really exciting brand of basketball and stick to what we have been doing all season.

Tip off is 7PM Saturday night at Early Settler Stadium.


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