Southland Sharks after yet another NBL import with Australian Mitch Norton the latest to go
Ian Hitchcock
Australian basketballer Mitch Norton.
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Norton arrived in Invercargill last week as a replacement for his Townsville Crocs team mate Jordair Jett who had been ruled out of the season with a knee injury.
Jett's loss was a huge blow to the Sharks campaign. It was hoped promising the 23-year-old guard Norton would fill the gap well and Southland's season would march on with little trouble.
However his time in orange will last just two games with Norton called into the Australian team to tour China.
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Norton will play against the Canterbury Rams on Saturday night at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill before departing to link up with the Boomers team.
Earlier in the season the Sharks had signed Tall Black star Thomas Abercrombie, however he opted to use a get out clause to take up a contract in Turkey.
Southland Sharks general manager Jill Bolger conceded it had been a challenging season to date on the back of the comings and goings, but she was confident they would still push on to the playoffs.
Bolger was in discussions with United States agents on Friday as they looked at potential replacement options for Norton.
"We'll just put the first part of the season behind us and get stuck into the second part really. I'm still confident we will make the semis, I have confidence in the players that are here and I have confidence that once we get everybody here - and that includes Duane [Bailey] and maybe a replacement - we will be there. We have to be there because if we want to have the finals year we have to be there," Bolger said.
Bailey is currently playing in England but the Tall Black could return as early as next week to link up with the Sharks.
Bolger acknowledged the chopping and changing of imports had came at a cost given they had to fly players to and from Invercargill.
"At the end of the day this is extra [money] and it is something that needs to come out of something else. That is just the way it is, something else has to give way for it. We are not in the comfortable position to just be able to add $3000 for an airfare here or there, it all has to directly come from the player budget."
While Norton's time with Southland will be brief he could still play an important role in the Sharks' quest for a playoff spot. Southland fans will be hopeful of a strong showing from him on Saturday night.
Southland currently sit fourth in the competition standings with a four win four loss record.
Saturday night's opponents, Canterbury, are tied with Southland on eight points but the Rams do have a game in hand.
There is just a eight day gap between the last time the Sharks and Rams met in Invercargill.
Canterbury crushed Southland 32-15 in the final quarter to win that game 91-78.
At a glance
WHAT: New Zealand NBL
WHO: Southland Sharks v Canterbury Rams
WHERE: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill