Bullets claim pre-season clash against cross-state rivals

Javon Freeman-Liberty had an encouraging first hit out for the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL pre-season helping his team to the 92-84 Sunshine Stoush win on Sunday against the Cairns Taipans.

It was a first official pre-season game for the Bullets in preparation for NBL26 under new coach Stu Lash and they had the majority of their squad available aside from Alex Ducas and Jacob Holt.

The Taipans had played two games during the week in Melbourne against both United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. While they had front court pair Sam Waardenburg and Marcus Lee for the clash at Cairns' Trinity Ford Stadium, they were still missing some guns.

Asia Cup winners Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith along with import pair Admiral Schofield and Ashton Hagans were still unavailable for the Snakes as they played in front of their home fans for the first time ahead of NBL26.

It's the beginning of a new era at the Bullets with Lash as coach and they made a flying start racing to a 13-3 start which turned into a 17-5 advantage in the first quarter and they were leading 26-16 still by quarter-time.

Cairns turned that around in the second term with Kody Stattmann scoring five quick points before a couple of strong finishes at the rim from Marcus Lee to close the gap.

Stattmann's hot hand continued and he hit another three ball to drive scores level heading towards half-time. With his 15 points, the Snakes went into the break with the momentum and a 43-42 lead.

The emotions started to grow in the third quarter with things staying close between the Queensland rivals with Brisbane managing to lead by two at three quarter-time.

Taipans coach Adam Forde even picked up a tech foul early in the fourth quarter with Casey Prather and Jaylen Adams soon combining to push the Bullets out to a double-figure lead, and from there Brisbane scored the eight-point win.

Import shooting guard Javon Freeman-Liberty is one of the new faces at the Bullets this season. He had an impressive first up showing with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks with 6/9 shooting.

Casey Prather had a dazzling return season in NBL25 and looks on top of his game still this time around with 17 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Tyrell Harrison was sorely missed down the stretch last season with the Kiwi big man delivering 13 points, nine rebounds and two steals with former league MVP Jaylen Adams finishing with six points, five assists, three boards and two steals.

Captain Mitch Norton added nine points and three rebounds, Tristan Devers seven points, three boards and two steals, Jensen Bradtke six points and two rebounds, and Jack Purchase six points, six boards and two blocks.

Kody Stattmann took it upon himself to be aggressive on his home floor and where he plays for the Marlins in the NBL1 North. He ended up with 20 points, three assists and two rebounds with 8/14 shooting including 3/7 from deep.

Kyrin Galloway added 13 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Marcus Lee 13 points, six boards and two assists while even hitting a rare three-pointer on the buzzer.

Lloyd McVeigh, younger brother of Jack, also had eight points and two rebounds, Kyle Adnam seven points and three assists, and Mawot Mag seven points, two rebounds and two assists.

Both teams will now head to the NBL Blitz in Canberra with the Bullets first in action on Thursday against the Sydney Kings. Their second game will be against Melbourne United on Saturday.

The Taipans will play their first game at the Blitz against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday as well before facing the New Zealand Breakers next Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PRE-SEASON 2025/26

CAIRNS TAIPANS 84 (Stattmann 20, Galloway 13, Lee 13)

BRISBANE BULLETS 92 (Prather 17, Freeman-Liberty 17, Harrison 13)

BOX SCORE