Daryl Corletto notches up his 300th career NBL game on Thursday night and couldn’t be happier to do it in a SKYCITY Breakers uniform when the table toppers suit up against the Townsville Crocodiles at the North Shore Events Centre.
Corletto is still pinching himself a little that he is even playing the game this year, let alone sitting on top of the table with the 2010/11 Champions. The 30 year old was cut from the Tigers to make way for Patty Mills and when he received the call from across the Tasman, he accepted a lifeline.
“Considering where I was at the start of the season I didn’t’ think I would make it and it is a great opportunity and to be honest right now I wish all 300 had been for the SKYCITY Breakers but for sure it is a big milestone and one I am looking forward to.”
Corletto won’t lack for company on Thursday night although his Australian Diamond (netball) representative wife Julie won’t be here to celebrate the occasion.
“My best mate Brendan will be here and Dad is coming over Thursday morning, Mum couldn’t get off work and Jules has a pre-season camp but I have my best mate and my Dad here so we might yet turn it into a boys weekend.”
Corletto took time at practice today to reflect on a career that began in the shadow of some of the game’s biggest names.
“The first couple of years were tough, backing up Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland and then was lucky enough to play with D’Mac (Darryl McDonald), probably three of my favourite players when I was growing up and I got to play with them.
“I guess with Melbourne I was on some winning teams and I just played my role on those teams, they didn’t change those teams up much for around five years so I was lucky there to play with some good players and get a couple of championships. And like I said before, I thought at the start of the year I might come up short but I found myself in a pretty good programme here at the Breakers.”
Corletto admits the move to the North Shore has revitalised his career and he can see himself playing for some years yet.
“I’ve said to myself if I can play to 34 or 35 I will be happy. You find guys like myself that aren’t the athletic guys get to play a few more games as we don’t get the injuries, I have only missed one game and that was because of a stomach ulcer. I have not had any broken bones or injuries so I have been pretty lucky.
“I love it here, I have said it from day one as soon as we landed here at this club I have a good family back home but the SKYCITY Breakers are to me like a family and have welcomed me and Jules in from day one, everyone involved in the club has been fantastic and it is one big family. I know they pride themselves on that and you can see why guys that come here enjoy their basketball, the club make it pretty easy for them to do that.”
Corletto will be acknowledged as the last SKYCITY Breaker to be introduced to the crowd on Thursday night, with team introductions set for 7.20pm, the near full house (just over 100 tickets remain available at the time of release) is being asked to turn up early and be in their seats to congratulate a player they have taken quickly to their hearts this season.
Corletto will be available for interview, along with the entire roster and coaching staff following practice tomorrow.
Click here for Daryl Corletto profile and link to statistics for this season and career
