’Going to win’: Taipans confident to end losing streak against Queensland rivals

The Cairns Taipans are looking to bring the level of pressure they brought against Adelaide in the first half for the full 40 minutes against Queensland rivals Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night.

The Cairns Taipans are looking to bring the level of pressure they brought against Adelaide in the first half for the full 40 minutes against Queensland rivals Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night.

The Taipans controlled the game for the first, both offensively and defensively in last Friday’s clash with the Adelaide 36ers.

But it was a second half downfall which let the 36ers back in and managed to win in overtime.

Experienced forward Dillon Stith said all talks this week are about how they can get their next win.

“This last weekend we didn’t take care of business in Melbourne and we came (up) short in Adelaide,” Stith said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 27: Dillon Stith of the Taipans looks to pass the ball during the round six NBL match between Melbourne United and Cairns Taipans at John Cain Arena, on October 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“But the game in Adelaide, the lead we had it shows that we have a team, undermanned as it is going into a hostile environment.

“It’s just how do we string more halves like that first half together? We have the team, we have the personnel, we have the grit.

“It’s just being consistent, still a lot of games left, you know so how do we make the most of them?”

The Taipans sit at a five-game losing streak and coming off the back of the clubs biggest loss in their history – 43 points to Melbourne United on Sunday.

Stith said when losses like that happen, the group come together.

“There are story times sometimes and how we bounce back in life and sometimes there is just execution and grit,” Stith said.

“How we handle those things, we handle it as a family and move forward and we respond as a group.

“The Melbourne loss, we could have a excuses, we’re undermanned, it was a tough road trip already for an undermanned group, we had a lot of legs, heavy legs coming out of the Friday overtime game.

“But the reality is, if we want to sit here and have excuses then we are not professional basketball players.

“So that is not something you are going to find from this group, we’re going to respond, we’re going to take accountability.

“We have to take care of the small things and it is evident, so those are the things we are working on this weekend, you will see physicality.”

Tip off for the Queensland Derby is at 7pm AEST with Stith telling fans “we absolutely are going to get a win this weekend.”

Taipans refuse to discuss possible code of conduct breach

Forget about asking Adam Forde what his star guard Rob Edwards said or did in the aftermath of Cairns Taipans’ record loss to Melbourne United at the weekend.

Cairns defence was open in the 106-63 loss but Forde’s lips are sealed with the Taipans coach refusing to discuss what happened in the tunnel post-match.

“I don’t know it’s all under … BA (Basketball Australia) is dealing with it,” Forde said in response to questions posed by this masthead.

“I can’t say anything.

“The reality is whatever you say, I’m going to get fined.

“No matter what scale my response is from super light to aggressive I’m going to get fined.

“I’ve been around doing this for 14 years … there’s no comment but I appreciate it.”

Sunday’s defeat extended the Taipans winless streak to five matches with Edwards fouling out after having spend just 20 minutes on the court.

Melbourne United’s Flynn Cameron reacts after being fouled by Rob Edwards of the Taipans. Picture: Getty Images.

Edwards was in trouble early committing a heavy foul on a driving Flynn Cameron which was ruled an unsportsmanlike foul.

He finished the first quarter with two fouls, two turnovers and no points and things did not really improve from there.

One of the league’s most prolific scorers, Edwards fouled out of the game scoring just five points and committing three turnovers.

While Edwards post-match efforts were off the table, Forde was willing to discuss the trials and tribulations his guard battles with the ball in hand.

Cairns Taipans import player Rob Edwards trains at Cairns Basketball. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Taipans player Sam Waardenburg at the team's training session. Picture: Brendan Radke

Despite being heavily undermanned Forde said his side needs to ‘help’ Edwards and teammate Sam Waardenburg.

“They (opposition teams) straight target Rob,” Forde said.

“They’re physical with Rob, they’re holding Rob and Rob is getting frustrated.

“We need to get Rob more help and there is a similar situation with Waardenburg.

“There is a lot of calls that seem excessive especially when he’s airborne – we don’t always get the benefit of the whistle which is what it is and that’s not something we are on about right now.

“But you have two guys right now that are probably the key pieces to what our offence and defence is and when they are suffocated we need someone else to step up.”

In a statement released earlier this week Basketball Australia confirmed it is investigating a potential code of conduct breach stemming from the game on Sunday, October 27.

“Basketball Australia is investigating a potential breach of the Code of Conduct for Elite Participants by Cairns Taipans player Rob Edwards for an incident that occurred post-match of the Melbourne United fixture on Sunday, 27 October. As the investigation is in process no further comment will be provided by BA, NBL or the Cairns Taipans at this stage.”

Originally published as ’Going to win’: Taipans confident to end losing streak against Queensland rivals