How to watch Cairns v Tasmania: CODE Sports NBL Blitz

The Cairns Taipans and Tasmania JackJumpers are just about unrecognisable from the Hungry Jack's NBL25 versions, with a raft of new signings and departures across the board.

Adam Forde is back for another year, and he's landed some huge additions with the likes of Jack McVeigh, Admiral Schofield and Reyne Smith in a team built to win it all.

The JackJumpers have completely re-shuffled their imports, as Bryce Hamilton and David Johnson come in to replace championship heroes Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford, while Tyger Campbell replaces the injured Sean Macdonald (ACL).

It looms as an intriguing battle on Thursday night, with both teams set to test their new stars.

Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers
Thursday, August 28, 8pm AEST
AIS Arena, Canberra

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NBL26 depth charts

Cairns
Potential depth chart:
PG: Hagans (IP) / Adnam
SG: Smith / Stattmann / L.McVeigh (DP)
SF: Schofield (IP) / Higgins-Titsha / Mag
PF: J.McVeigh / Galloway / Richardson (DP)
C: Waardenburg / Lee (IP)

Tasmania
Potential depth chart:
PG: Campbell (IP) / Ayre / Nunn (DP)
SG: Hamilton (IP) / Drmic / Stoddart
SF: Johnson (IP) / Marshall
PF: Bannan / Deng
C: Magnay / Williamson / Woodhill (DP)

Missing in action

Smith (ankle) and Ashton Hagans (unavailable) have been ruled out for the entirety of the Blitz for the Taipans.

On the other side of the ledger, Anthony Drmic (nose) and Kobe Williamson (foot) won't take any part in the JackJumpers' two games.

Macdonald is set for a long stint on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

Talking points

McVeigh’s new chapter
McVeigh begins his next chapter in Cairns colours with a first-up clash against his former side.

The Larry Sengstock Medallist arrives off a huge off-season, earning All-Tournament honours at the Asia Cup and impressing during NBA Summer League. Now stepping into a bigger role, fans finally get to see what McVeigh can do as one of the Taipans’ go-to options.

Hamilton headlines JackJumpers’ attack
‍Bryce Hamilton comes into Tasmania with a reputation for scoring at will and filling up the stat sheet.

The dynamic guard is expected to be a focal point of the JackJumpers’ offence, pairing with fellow import David Johnson as the team’s primary scoring weapons under Scott Roth’s system.

Cairns bolstered but not complete
‍After an up-and-down stretch of pre-season games with undermanned line-ups, Cairns is in a stronger position heading into the Blitz.

The debuts of McVeigh and Schofield provide a significant boost, though the Taipans are still not yet at full strength as they continue to integrate their roster.