Taipans Bullish on NBL23 Chances

Cairns coach Adam Forde says he has no concerns around his side's pre-season form, despite the Taipans' 0-3 run at the Hungry Jack's NBL Blitz. 

Whether it be the form of DJ Hogg, Ben Ayre, or Keanu Pinder, just to name a few, Cairns had plenty of positives, despite their losing record. 

“We ticked a lot of boxes at the Blitz,” Forde told the Cairns Post.

“I know, results wise, on face value we walked away 0-3, but the reality was we had a lot of guys on minutes plans as we ease them back into it.

“We took it with an opportunity to rotate deep into the bench and give guys ample minutes to fight for minutes in the regular season.

“The boys were professional … when we got on the training floor or in the gym we worked hard, got better, and all in all for the Blitz it was a good result.’

Cairns opens its NBL23 campaign on Monday against last year’s grand finalist, the Tasmania JackJumpers.

The sides faced off in their final games of the Blitz - Tasmania emerged from the clash as 19-point winners behind a 25-point game from Jack McVeigh.

But the Taipans will take confidence into their season-opener, with a full squad at their disposal and plenty of optimism around an emerging young squad. 

For the full story head to >> Forde’s Taipans on track despite winless NBL Blitz