How to watch & talking points: SE Melbourne v Cairns (Round 1, NBL26)

Saturday, September 20, 2025

South East Melbourne aim to showcase their defensive strength, while Cairns introduce Jack McVeigh.

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Cairns Taipans
Saturday, September 20, 5.30pm AEST
John Cain Arena

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Talking points

Defensive identity
When Josh King took over as head coach last season, the 0-5 Phoenix made it all the way to the Playoffs on the back of being an elite defensive unit.

If the pre-season is any indication, then expect more of that from South East Melbourne this season, as the team looked locked in on that end the last few weeks.

Million-dollar man
‍Jack McVeigh has made headlines since joining Cairns with his reported million dollar salary, but now the star gets a chance to do what he does best.

The last time fans saw McVeigh in the NBL, he was cutting down the nets at John Cain Arena, where he begins this new chapter on Saturday night.

New faces

South East Melbourne
Akech Aliir, Daniel Foster, DJ Mitchell, Gorjok Gak, Hunter Maldonado, John Brown III

Cairns
Admiral Schofield, Andrew Andrews, Jack McVeigh, Marcus Lee, Mowat Mag, Reyne Smith

Depth charts

South East Melbourne
‍Projected depth chart:
PG: Foxwell / Maldonado (IP)
SG: Sobey / Glover / Foster
SF: Lewis (NS) /
PF: Brown III (IP) / Mitchell / Biggar (DP)
C: Hunter / Gak / Aliir

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