By Huw Beynon
The Breakers are back at the North Shore Events Centre for Friday’s big game against the Melbourne Tigers.
One player with bittersweet memories of Melbourne is hoping to show his former club what they are missing.
Friday will be the second time Daryl Corletto faces the club he spent ten years at and he admits it will be easier this side of the Tasman.
“There's not as much emotion this time. Last time there was a lot of emotion from myself and a couple of teammates from a couple of comments that were made.
“There was a big build up to the game but yeah Friday night’s just another game.”
The comments came from Tigers coach Trevor Gleeson, who after ditching Corletto for former NBA guard Patty Mills stirred things up in the Australian press. Since then Mills has unceremoniously ditched Melbourne to play in China.
Corletto admits he is laughing about the matter, just a bit.
“He's not even off to the NBA, he's off to China. And what would be funny is that if I still was there my first game would be against the Breakers. So I’m happy to be this side of the fence and happy to beat them on Friday.”
He is not wrong. Melbourne's original plan was to keep Corletto at training and when Mills left re-activate him to the playing roster. Hence the phone calls he received when the news of Mills leaving broke.
“People around the club that asked me if I’d head back last week or next year. But I’ve said all along that as long as Trevor Gleeson’s coaching there I won't be playing there.”
He is happy in New Zealand. Fresh off 16 points in last weeks win over Townsville.
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