Breakers MVP Ready For Any Challenge NBL22 Brings His Way

Sky Sport Breakers MVP Finn Delany has no problems returning to Australia for an extended period if that is what is required to start the new NBL22 season.

The forward came of age last season when the Breakers played 29 consecutive away games over five months in a COVID-ravaged season.

While the club faced multiple COVID ‘curveballs’ being on the road for so long, Delany blocked out the distractions to have his best season ever in the NBL.

Delany scored a personal record 30 points in the hub against two-time defending champions Perth before breaking his record with 33 points against eventual champions Melbourne a month later.

In both games, the two top sides in the league had no answer for his physical presence inside and outside the key.

The 26-year-old posted impressive numbers playing all 36 games in the season, averaging a career-high 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds.

“Going into the season, I was strangely excited about playing all the games on the road because I have always enjoyed the challenge of being up against the other teams,” says Delany.

With the new season due to tip off November 18, and the possibility of playing in a hub again, Delany says the Breakers will be better prepared after the experiences from the season just gone.

“As a basketball player, you want to play, and to play three games in a week for roughly four weeks in a row is a tough physical task, but as a professional, I want that,” he says.

“Playing basketball is my job.  It makes me excited.”

Another thing Delany is also preparing for is seeing more of his teammates than he usually would if it was a regular NBL season.

“I have known a lot of the guys on the team for a very long time, but it is a funny dynamic when you are on the road for an extended period,” he says.

“Sometimes we just saw too much of each other with meals, training, games, and everything in between last season.

“I think this season, we will all work harder to find ways to give each other personal space when we can if we are on the road again.”

Despite the increasing likelihood, the Breakers will start in Australia again due to the Delta outbreak, the NBL remains confident there will be games in New Zealand this season.

Delany says it will be something to look forward to because the atmosphere in New Zealand is better and louder than anywhere in Australia.

“The atmosphere for our seven home games last year was better than I anticipated,” he says.

“We are super grateful to our fans for generating the excitement and atmosphere they did after we were away for so long in what was an unsuccessful season.

“It is just a testament to our fan base and the club.”