Townsville Crocodiles coach Trevor Gleeson believes his replacement import EJ Rowland has hit the ground running and is delighted to have another ‘go-to’ man in his squad.

Gleeson told the Townsville Bulletin he couldn’t be happier having another match-winning player in his line-up and said Rowland has proven vital to the overall team make-up.

"It just gives us another avenue along with Brad (Newley), JR (John Rillie) and Larry (Abney), knowing EJ can take some of the pressure off," Gleeson told the Bulletin’s Anthony Stewart.

"He can get to the basket and make us a lot tougher with his defensive intensity up the floor."

Rowland is the first to admit his form did drop in the latter stages of December and early January after suffering a hip injury in round 15. The 188cm guard said it took a quiet word from his coach to fix the problem.

"Against Wollongong (in Round 18) I was too passive and that was a game where I needed to make my mark, especially as it pretty much allowed Cortez Groves to get going," Rowland said.

"After the game (coach) Trevor (Gleeson) was like 'that's the least aggressive I have ever seen you' and I told him 'you won't have to worry about that any more'."

The former St Mary's College star then showed poise against Cairns last Saturday night when he bagged an important 'double-double' of 18 points and 16 rebounds in his team’s win. But it was Rowland who bagged a late free throw to force the match into overtime.

As the crocodiles fight it out with Rowland’s former team, Sydney for a top four position the 23-year-old won’t be leaving any stone unturned as his team heads to the playoffs.

"It's getting down to money time and I just don't want to look back and say I didn't do anything," he said.

"I know we have scorers but if they are struggling to get going, hopefully I can turn up my intensity . . . and provide a little spark.”

"And when it comes down to it, I love having the ball in my hands when it is decision time."