Preview: Cairns vs South East Melbourne (Round 2)

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Cairns is reeling after its Round 1 loss to New Zealand, but will the potential return of a pair of key players help lift them to victory over South East Melbourne?

Thursday, October 5 at 7:30pm AEDT at Cairns Convention Centre.

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Former Cairns head coach Mike Kelly is returning to his roots on Thursday night. The 2020 NBL Coach of the Year is returning to his former home as a head coach for the first time since being replaced by current Cairns incumbent Adam Forde.

A severely undermanned Taipans dropped their opening game of the new season to New Zealand without Tahjere McCall, Taran Armstrong, Josh Roberts or Kian Dennis – although Forde said post-game that Armstrong was touch and go as to whether he’d play some part in the season opener.

The Phoenix have already showcased both sides of their game in NBL24 despite having played just two games.

Against Melbourne in the season opener they looked sluggish and struggled on offence, however they looked a totally different beast in their high-scoring win over Perth.

Gettyimages 1312965173
Mike Kelly coaching Cairns in 2021.

Cairns
87-98 loss to New Zealand

South East Melbourne
110-99 win over Perth
67-82 loss to Melbourne

Sam Mennenga
Cairns were missing the services of likely starting backcourt Taran Armstrong and Tahjere McCall, plus import big Josh Roberts, in the Round 1 loss to New Zealand. Somebody had to step up, and the Taipans looked to a player making his professional debut to keep them in the game.

Sam Mennenga acquitted himself well against the Breakers’ high-class centre triumvirate of Zylan Cheatham, Mangok Mathiang and Dane Pineau, and hit seven of his 11 shots to top score for his side with 17 points.

Mennenga arrived in the NBL with big expectations from collegiate side Davidson, and there were reportedly multiple sides in the race for the talented young Tall Black’s signature.

Last week’s clash with New Zealand offered a quick insight into why, and as key teammates begin to return from injury and he adapts to the professional level he should only continue to improve.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself and belief in myself and the teammates. The stats look good but I feel there’s a lot I could have done better, but it’s a good start … I think I surprised people and there’s definitely more to come. I didn’t surprise myself, I don’t think my teammates were surprised and I don’t think ‘Fordey’ was surprised, but I think I surprised the media, the critics, and I think there’s a lot more to get better at.” – Sam Mennenga post-game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Cairns Taipans made Kiwi big-man Sam Mennenga a priority going into NBL Free Agency.<br><br>Today’s episode of The Marketplace is here: <a href="https://t.co/Kju8kQmehN">https://t.co/Kju8kQmehN</a> <a href="https://t.co/C593TjN1ZP">pic.twitter.com/C593TjN1ZP</a></p>— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlgunUluc/status/1643923185749073921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ben Ayre
Cam Luke said it best on NBL Overtime on Tuesday night – people need to stop being surprised that Ben Ayre can turn an NBL game on its head. He’s been doing it for three years now, and he’s only continuing to get better.

Ayre may have been quieter against Perth than Melbourne in Round 1, but he still played a crucial role in guiding the Phoenix to victory against the Wildcats.

Import guard Will Cummings was much improved against Perth and took some of the load off Ayre, and the backup unit was trusted to see the game out, but the former Taipan is still one of just three players to have made five or more threes at a three-point percentage of over 50 per cent in Round 1.

The others are Sydney’s Kouat Noi and Illawarra’s Tyler Harvey – each of whom only played one game last week.

Ayre’s been on a hot streak since moving to South East Melbourne, so can he maintain the rage and put his former team to the sword on Thursday night?

“He gives us a spark, whether that’s on a starting line-up or coming off the bench he has an ability to change the game with his aggressiveness and intensity really helps us out … he walks into the gym and thinks he’s the best player on the floor every single time … it’s confidence.” – Alan Williams on NBL Overtime.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our first <a href="https://twitter.com/goatbeer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@goatbeer</a> Player of the Game for NBL24 is Ben Ayre, who had a massive second-half with 15 points! ?<br><br>? Tickets for Sunday’s game ?? <a href="https://t.co/RDU6iaGEF8">https://t.co/RDU6iaGEF8</a> <a href="https://t.co/5jER5rGYH4">pic.twitter.com/5jER5rGYH4</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1707539695004197295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bul Kuol vs Gary Browne
One of the biggest ticks in the Taipans’ favour this season is the defensive versatility they possess, and the ability for the bulk of their players to defend multiple positions.

No player personifies this more than former NBL Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol. He can use his speed and length to defend basically anyone bar the biggest and most bruising centres in the competition – and even then he certainly wouldn’t allow himself to be pushed over by them.

Kuol spent time defending New Zealand point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright in Round 1, and pending the fitness of Taran Armstrong he will likely come head to head with Phoenix guard Gary Browne at some point on Thursday night.

The Phoenix looked an exponentially better side with Browne out on the floor against Perth. He played 13 minutes off the bench, hit all his shots to finish with 12 points, and proved why Mike Kelly was so keen to bring him back to the NBL this season.

Both players are working their way back to full fitness after suffering pre-season injuries – but if Kuol and company and stop Browne’s distribution then the Phoenix could return to the clunky offence they produced against Melbourne, rather than the free-flowing danger they put forward against Perth.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“It was a big stage for a big game and the fans came out to support.” ?<br><br>Gary Browne caught up with Phoenix Media after that big win over the Wildcats to finish round 1.<br><br>? Tickets for next home game: <a href="https://t.co/JSOYHGhfdJ">https://t.co/JSOYHGhfdJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/PTHmDWf6CL">pic.twitter.com/PTHmDWf6CL</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1708390392843182476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

South East Melbourne has lost six of its last seven away games. The Phoenix’s most recent away win came against Tasmania in Round 16 last season. Mitch Creek starred with 23 points in the victory.