How to watch & talking points: Cairns v Illawarra

05 Nov 2026

cairns taipans

illawarra hawks

The Taipans host the Hawks in a crucial clash at the Cairns Convention Centre.

By

NBL.com.au

Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks
Thursday, November 5, 7.30pm AEDT
Cairns Convention Centre

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How to watch

Watch every NBL27 game live on ESPN.

>> How to watch ESPN

Tickets

>> Ticketing information

How to follow & live scores

Live scores, stats, breaking news and game highlights are available via the free NBL App.

>> Visit Game Centre | Download the free NBL App

Rosters

Cairns

Depth chart:
PG: J.Brown (IP) / Paul (NS) / Bruce / Nunn (DP)
SG: Smith / L.McVeigh (DP) / J.Galloway (out)
SF: Lewis (IP) / W.Brown / Dech (out)
PF: J.McVeigh / K.Galloway / Williamson (NRP)
C: Pinder / Bolden / Yates (DP)

Illawarra

Depth chart:
PG: M.Doyle (IP) / Hickey / Adnam (NRP)
SG: Harvey / Narkle
SF: Swaka Lo Buluk / Grida / Patterson (IP/NRP) / Blanchfield
PF: Martin (IP) / Days (IP) / A.Doyle (DP) / McGregor (DP) / Peatling (out)
C: Froling / Maker / Macdonald (DP)

Missing in action

Cairns

Walter Brown - Ankle - Round 9
Sunday Dech - Hamstring - Test
Jaylin Galloway - Back - Round 14

Illawarra

Mason Peatling - Foot - Season

>> View full injury list

Talking points

Can we get an encore?

The Hawks have a big opportunity in this one to turn their season around, travelling up to Cairns and looking to build on a big win over in Perth.

Illawarra came out with more energy and a better focus on the offensive end against the Wildcats, and it showed Justin Tatum that he has more than enough talent on this roster.

While it’s been a tough start to NBL27, with how close this season is, a couple wins this round and they’re right back in it.