The Boomers were not going to leave a stone unturned in their quest for the elusive podium finish, and coach Brian Goorjian said that there weren’t words to describe the contribution of the team’s longest standing members, Patty Mills and Joe Ingles.

“When you get to this game and this point, it was really the two guys next to me (Mills and Ingles) who were the most invested in this, 12 years of work, to do something that our country has never ever done.” Goorjain said.

“Basically, the game plan and what took place was put the ball in their hands to make the decisions in the half-court offence and carry the ball.

“We kept things simple, which is something that they wanted. We decided before the game that we were going to go offensively. We put a number on the board that we haven’t done throughout the tournament.

“I thought we did a pretty good job offensively on one of the best players on the planet and that was the game plan. The feeling is really special. Joining it at the start, being away from it in the middle and then coming right in at the end to be part of it with them is something special.”

Australia was first to score and got two points on the board thanks to Ingles and Dante Exum. Moving fast up and down the court, the Boomers put together strong defensive plays to prevent Slovenia scoring early, determined to start on the right foot.

But Slovenia began to lift intensity, finding a defensive rhythm, beginning to land their shots to close the gap. Mike Tobey and Doncic combined for 10 points. Slovenia took the opportunity to get a few more quick points on the board and took the lead 13-15 with less than three minutes on the clock.

The action continued at both ends, Australia not allowing Slovenia to keep their hands on a lead, Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova combining for a quick five points to put the Boomers up at the first break, 20-19.

Mills came out firing in the second quarter, getting a beautiful three-point bucket within the first 10 seconds of play. Jock Landale added another three-points to Australia’s tally, Mills following up with another three points before Slovenia found themselves in foul trouble. More quick points from Mills and Matisse Thybulle, including a huge dunk from Thybulle, shifted momentum; Australia had the lead and a 53-45 margin at the main break.

Some fireworks from Doncic during the break resulted in a free throw for Mills to open the second half before play resumed, another foul called on Slovenia and some points from Landale, Mills and Ingles pushed the Aussies’ lead out to 10.  At 4:46 left in the third, Mills put up a stunning two points from inside the paint, totalling an incredible 30 points so far in the game.

The defensive pressure looked to be getting to Slovenia, Doncic visibly frustrated as the Mills magic and bucket snipes from Ingles gave the Boomers an 11-point lead at the final break.

Both teams came out hard in the last quarter, a medal on the line. Slovenia increased their defensive pressure, trying to get quick points on the board to narrow the margin. But the Boomers immediately responded before two unlucky fouls were called on Mills and Dellavedova, Slovenia coming back within six points, 81-75, with 7:47 left in the game.

With the bronze in their sights, the Boomers began to dominate the scoring, answering every point that Slovenia added to their tally, Mills continuing this bucket blitz as the combined efforts or Kay, Ingles and Thybulle defensively brought the game home for the Boomers, sealing the podium finish with a 107-93 victory.

Patty Mills was unstoppable with 42 points, followed by Joe Ingles (16), Jock Landale (16) Dante Exum (12) and Matisse Thybulle (11). While Luca Doncic (22) and Klemen Prepelic (18) led the scoring for Slovenia.

“We said from the beginning if we were to achieve history for our country, we had to do it on the defensive end and run out of that.” Mills said.

“It was a hell of a game and just to speak on the game itself, this was obviously a massive team effort. Everyone contributed to this win and to this bronze medal.

“The impact that everyone had coming onto the court tonight, the defining moments, our activity that we were going to live and die by this whole campaign was tight tonight and it had to be because we were playing one of the best players in the world tonight.

“After that, I don’t know, what else happened?” Mills laughed, clearly emotional.

“We just tried to leave it all out there. I know it’s a very cliché thing to say but the tank was very empty, but you knew we had to find deeper layers to pull the best out of us for the team and I think that’s what we have done. Especially Joe. We have been through a lot together, on and off the court and it’s all paid off. Speechless."

When asked what the win meant to him, coach Goorjian said it was hard to put into words.

“Before the game, you couldn’t tell, but I was knotted up. I get nervous before a game, but it was nothing like this game and it tells you just what this game meant. What they put into it, you can’t describe you have to be in the room to feel it.” Goorjian admitted.

“It’s heavy.” Ingles said of the medal hanging around his neck.

“We knew what we wanted to do in terms of the basketball side of things, but it goes back to the culture and the investment we have put in over the years.

“It’s not just the players and the coaches and the staff, we’ve got families and friends who have given so much for us to be in these positions as well. My wife and kids are a massive part of this and you’re going to make me cry so I’m going to stop.”

It had been anything but a normal tournament for the Boomers, with COVID protocols, short preparation time and the loss of Aron ‘Baynesy’ Baynes to a neck injury early in competition presenting many challenges. But for Mills, it made the achievement all the more special.

“We've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I don't know whether to laugh, cry, smile, there’s a lot of emotions.” Mills said on the verge of tears.

To round out their medal presentation and highlighting the bond of every member of the Boomers squad, Captain Patty Mills proudly picked up one additional bronze medal before turning to his teammates and crying ‘for Baynesy’.

“The only thing I will say, is that we are not done.” Ingles added.

“I’m not speaking for Patty, but after the game, the emotions are kicking in and we are not done. This is the standard for basketball in our country. For the younger generation who will take over eventually, this is the standard that Australian basketball will have forever.”

Shannon Knaus

#HaveAGo at Basketball