Hopefully this game does go ahead, but whoa! who would have thought that these two teams could potentially be the MOTR.

Cairns toppled a Kings outfit to chalk up their first win in front of a vocal, parochial crowd by the skinniest of margins. Machado doing the maccarana to great effect. The Hawks under Gorj showing Brisbane who is boss and giving Gorj the welcome back to coaching he deserves. The NBL seems empty without him. All we need is Shane Heal in there as an assistant coach to be the cherry on top.

A week ago I would have the Taipans striking down the Hawks with their venom, but the Hawks are the silent but deadly type and none more so than Naar who was the difference in the Brissy game. I'm now more confused than a feminist on the Hannah Mouncey playing in the AFL issue. Trans women are women, but Hannah is built like a brick s-house.

I'm sticking with the Taipans, by two. Could we see another double OT game?

As of this morning, TC Kimi is already slightly south of Cairns and expected to hit at Cardwell. Game will go ahead. Currently there is no wind, no rain, no sunshine at Cairns.

If there is any water on the court will it bring back memories of Hawks last game last year?

Not even any rain in Cairns. Bring on Monday night Bball!!

GordonG

This is slightly off topic but I have read that Kody Stattmann is suffering from a cardiovascular issue (hence why he has missed so many games for Virginia).

Do you know how his health is coming along?

Is he likely to return this season?

Also I have noticed Ky Stattmann is around the Taipans camp a lot lately.

Is Ky a DP for the Taipans? Or just training with them?

Cheers

Wow...Taipans were $1.45 last night.

Has there been a change in roster or this is the regular drop of the favourite before the game?

I see Cairns were matched as low as 1.30 on the exchange which seems a bit too short.

Looking forward to Goorj giving Simon the defensive job on Machado now that he is starting in Adel's place. Don't think ether Harvey or Jessup can go close to containing him.

Darling looks shaky as hell on D.

Hawks looking like they're the ones with the best import duo at this stage. Good hustle plays from Isaac White, looks like the perfect Goorj utility piece off the bench.

This is unbelievable Tyler Harvey putting on a show.

Hawks up 31-19 at Qtr time with no Adel, no Bairstow and Froling & Darling in foul trouble already.

Why is Bairstow not playing?

Bairstow rolled his ankle in the warmup apparently.

Jessup looking like a great pickup as a next star.

Well that's COTY award wrapped up, yet another for Goorj thanks for coming everyone else.

This is one of the most incredible wins I've seen Hawks without their two best Aussies go up to Cairns a Finals team from last season and smack them by 20 points. The heart Goorjian has already installed in this team is unreal.

Very happy to admit I was wrong thinking the Hawks would be playing for the spoon this season I should've known you never ever doubt the GOAT coach.

Not surprised re: AJ as Goorjian actually trains his teams hard, unlike most in the NBL who do the minimum.

Hawks look well recruited and well coached.

Haha good one anon bairstow is getting on at the age of 30 and considering we have the sample size of preseason (which he got injured in) and 1 game in which he was coming off said injury really proves that they won't make the hawks better

Adel was coming off injury*^

"Jack, Bit of a rough one this week? 1/5."

Yeah, tell me about it. I'm the kiss of death

Feeling good about my pre season comments after this

Cairns overrated. Lacking depth.

Hawks the sleepers of the comp. Goorj at the helm, talented imports and a young group. It's almost like dejavu....

I really like the look of Harvey and think he will be fun to watch and a real handful for opposition.

I can't wait to see what Goorj does with Adel and Bairstow when they are fit and firing.

I will admit that I thought Simon would be the first import out of here as I couldn't see where he fit in but he will be here entertaining us all year, as good as he was tonight, I was more impressed with his interview after the game, showed confidence, poise and respect, very likeable and exactly what they needed last season when Brooks went down.

Totally agree Proud, I thought Simon was a gonner after the first game in Perth. Hawks are used to terrible imports lately. But he turned around and came out firing and I knew he could offer something different. Deng adel will be great once fit and Bairstow will offer more.

NS is within the rules.

Is Simon the import that had a bag of steals in a pre-season game? Struck me as a Goorjian-style import after that.

Yes. Think it was 6 or 7 in the pre season game.

Have the Hawks just got lucky again with their Next Star? Jessup had an amazing game.

Last year Lamelo (albeit in a short burst!) And years ago the equivalent with Doug Overton

Simon didn't look that impressive on the offensive end but that block and basket down the other end along with some other moves shows Simon is a star and will be a player worth keeping your eye on and opposition will have to scout him better