IT’S the breakthrough appearance that could break the ‘‘curse’’ that has dogged Anthony Petrie and his basketball career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But despite making his international debut for the Australian Boomers on Friday night, the former Canberra Gunners forward is refusing to start dreaming of an Olympic Games call-up.
Petrie’s faith in Australia’s ailing basketball competition paid dividends when he played his first game for the Boomers, against China in Perth on Friday.
It was a perfect 30th birthday present and reward for years of sticking by the NBL.
Petrie’s journey to the top has been a hard-luck story.
He has played at four clubs that went broke, three of which were kicked out of the competition, and ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2010, after his initial call-up to the Boomers squad.
Now at the Adelaide 36ers, Petrie jokes a curse is following him around the league.
But a Boomers appearance and being the top scorer in a 61-55 defeat could be the catalyst for change.
‘‘Here’s hoping it ends the curse,’’ Petrie laughed.
‘‘To be able to say I’ve played for my country is pretty special and it hasn’t sunk in.
‘‘My family’s support through everything has been amazing and to see the look on their faces after the game was cool.’’
Petrie was back in Canberra last month preparing to train with the Boomers squad.
He was also named in the Gunners’ 25-year team at the SEABL club’s anniversary dinner. Petrie was a star for the Gunners before taking the step into the NBL.
He played for the West Sydney Razorbacks before they went bust. He signed a deal with the Brisbane Bullets and days later they went broke. Then it was the Wollongong Hawks and the curse followed. Next stop the Gold Coast Blaze, which became defunct last year.
Add a snapped Achilles, a 12-month recovery and a young family and lesser men would have given up on basketball dreams.
But new Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis sees something special in Petrie.
A host of stars are missing from the Boomers line-up – including Patrick Mills and Andrew Bogut – but Petrie sent a statement.
So despite turning 30 last week and being a veteran, is Petrie thinking about a world championship or Olympic Games berth?
‘‘After everything I’ve been through I never take anything for granted,’’ he said.
‘‘Having an opportunity to do your country proud is something I’ll never take for granted. I did think the chance had gone past me.’’
The Boomers will play the second game of the series in Perth on Sunday before flying to China.