Goorjian: “It’s on”

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

"This is, everyone looking over their shoulders: 'you see that, I'm f--kin in'."

The Boomers have a point to prove. Just watch a few minutes of the team’s training camp and that’s clear to see.

Quite simply, they know they are far better than their tenth-place finish at the World Cup in 2023. This team is on the hunt for medals.

A squad of 17 is still to be cut to 12, and with that in mind, competition is fierce.

Who gets on the plane to Paris? Who’s left to rue a missed opportunity?

For Brian Goorjian, the Olympics is somewhat of a chance for redemption. The players, well they’re very much up for the challenge.

"It's been really competitive," Goorjian told ESPN, during the Boomers’ camp in Melbourne.

"I think there's an element of wanting to be way better on the defensive end, and I think there's an element of nervousness about making the squad.

“Last time, I felt like, within the 17, there was a lot of 'thank you for letting me be here'. This is, everyone looking over their shoulders: 'you see that, I'm f--kin in'.

"It's on. It's competitive."

Boomers action begins tonight 🇦🇺

Australia hosts China in the first of two exhibition games this evening 🦘

Tip-off at 7:30pm AEST, live on ESPN 📺

Check out the full schedule for Ballin’ 24 via the NBL App 📲 pic.twitter.com/bfh7bf9LAO
— NBL (@NBL) July 2, 2024

Goorjian’s energy is palpable among the group, as Australia prepares for a two-game series against China, starting in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

"For the first time in however many decades, he (Goorjian) didn't have a club team to coach throughout the year,” Melbourne United star and Boomers hopeful Chris Goulding said.

“His sole focus has been this, and trying to figure out how we can be better. He's been straightforward with us ... they're hammering home the defensive side of the ball, and we've definitely seen that in practice."

There’s trash talk, there’s heavy contact, there’s unrelenting defence. It’s a scrimmage, but it might as well be a medal match. This Boomers team is not giving an inch.

A little over three weeks remain until the Olympics get underway, and still plenty, and we mean plenty, to play out.

Read the full story here >> Aussie Boomers notes: Camp has been ultra-physical, unbelievably competitive