Boomers ready for Olympic defence

Becoming the “best defence in the Olympics” is what will help the Australian Boomers re-capture the form that took them to a bronze medal in Tokyo, Matisse Thybulle says.

The Boomers finished a disappointing tenth at last year’s World Cup, after going in with lofty goals, but it seems there’s a different feel around the group this time.

All the reports coming out of the squad’s recent training camp are that there’s a vigour and competitiveness not seen for a long time.

Thybulle’s energy on the defensive end will be key to success. He had an incredible three steals a game in Tokyo, but largely hasn’t been able to re-capture that form since.

He’s working hard to turn that around.

“When [Goorj] came out to Portland, that was our conversation,” Thybulle told ESPN. “It was: how do we get you back to being yourself?”

“It’s a funny one. For an offensive player, it’s just: run my plays, get me to my spots and I’ll figure it out. As a defensive player, when you’re responding so much to what the other team’s doing, it’s a little bit more nuanced. I don’t have a straight answer, but I know there’s energy being put into figuring it out.”

Half-court defence, and transition defence was what set the Boomers apart in Tokyo. That fell away at the World Cup, but that recipe for success hasn’t been forgotten.

In Paris, it’s back to basics.

“We can have the best defence in the Olympics,” Thybulle said.

“I think, when that defensive stuff is taken care of, our offensive stuff will follow right behind it … I can’t see why we can’t be No. 1 in both.”

The Boomers tipped off their Olympics preparations with a 20-point win over China on Tuesday, and while the performance was far from perfect, the second half in particular was encouraging.

The signs were good for Thybulle too, who grabbed four steals to go with six points, in his 13 minutes of action.

With the squad still to be trimmed from 17 to 12, and key games coming up against China (Thursday), the USA (July 15 – Abu Dhabi) and Serbia (July 16 – Abu Dhabi), there’s still time to fine-tune and tinker.

Pride is on the line after last year’s World Cup, and the Boomers have a point to prove.

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