In the lead up to Australia Day, most of us will be starting to organise a BBQ or having family and friends over, however life as a professional basketballer is slightly different!

The Melbourne Tigers will be keeping their heads in the game, as they train in the morning before flying to Sydney, then driving to Wollongong Australia Day afternoon. Following Australia day (on Friday) is arguably the Tigers most important game of the season as they face the resurged Wollongong Hawks in Wollongong. 

We had a chance to sit down with a couple of the Melbourne Tigers players after practice to discuss Australia Day and all things Aussie.

What are your favourite Aussie Foods?

Tommy Greer: Pavlova.
Lucas Walker: A Parma.
Daniel Dillon: (After a heated debate with team mates about whether a Parma could be classified as Aussie food); A Meat Pie.
Trevor Gleeson: Mint Slice biscuits asthey were the main food I missed whilst coaching overseas.

The Triple J hottest 100 is an Australia Day must listen. What was your favourite/most played song for 2011?
Greer: M83 - Midnight City.
Walker: Adele –Someone Like You, just because it was played so much!
Dillon: LMFAO – I’m Sexy and I Know It.
Gleeson: LMFAO – I’m Sexy and I Know It, because some of the boys did a skit to it recently. (It’s at http://www.youtube.com/user/MelbourneTigersOfcl if you want to check it out!)

If you had to be a Native Australian animal what would you be? Why?
Greer: A Kangaroo because they can bounce.
Walker & Dillon: Koala, they get to sleep all day.
Gleeson: A Kangaroo, for the jumping.

When did the first fleet arrive in Australia?
Greer:  1787?
Walker: 1786..
Dillon: 1788 (the first correct answer, but with a little help from Cameron ‘Trigger’ Tragardh)
Gleeson: 1788, the Coach knows his stuff.

Australia Day is meant to be about being proud of our history. What are you most proud of as an Aussie?
Greer: Even though it is a small country, sports culture is huge in Australia.
Walker: The friendliness of Australian people.
Dillon: Mateship!
Gleeson: I'm glad my ancestors got on the boat! I am happy to be here because it’s the best country in the world!

If you had to sub one of these famous Aussies into the team who would you choose: Julia Gillard, John Farnham, Shane Warne, Jennifer Hawkins or Skippy the Bush Kangaroo?
Greer: Jen Hawkins, more for team moral than her basketball skills.
Walker: Jennifer Hawkins.
Dillon: Skippy, for the Alley-oops he could do.
Gleeson: Warnie, just for a laugh.

What has been your best Aussie day so far?
Greer: BBQ with friends, Hottest 100 playing.
Walker: One of the Green and Gold Parties they used to have when I was playing ball in the USA.
Dillon: A family BBQ in 2010. Basketball season means I haven't celebrated Aus day for a while.
Gleeson: BBQs with family and friends.

Although the Tigers won’t be celebrating Australia Day the traditional way, Coach Trevor Gleeson is hopeful that they might catch some Aussie day fireworks. Let’s hope they can celebrate after a win on January 27th instead!