Bench bunch primed to bounce back: DJ

Co-captain DJ Newbill has backed the Taipans’ reserves to bounce back immediately from their record low offensive performance in the loss to the NZ Breakers.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 31: DJ Newbill of the Taipans in action during the round five NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena on October 31, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

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CO-CAPTAIN DJ Newbill has backed the Taipans’ reserves to bounce back immediately from their record low offensive performance in the loss to the NZ Breakers.

Cairns’ starting five scored 83 of their 85 points in their loss to New Zealand last Thursday evening, with just fellow co-captain Nate Jawai scoring from the bench unit.

The NBL do not keep bench points going back very far but two points is the lowest the league have on record for the Taipans in their history.

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Newbill, who is averaging 13 points and three rebounds a game in his second campaign in the Far North, says the bench mob will be ready against Illawarra at home on Saturday night.

“That happens sometimes during the season with ups and downs,” Newbill said on Tuesday afternoon before a Game Time Session at St Francis Xavier School.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 31: DJ Newbill of the Taipans goes up for a dunk against Brandon Ashley of the Breakers during the round five NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena on October 31, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

“The bench will be fine, we have a week to prepare for the Illawarra game.

I think those guys will be ready, they will learn from it and be ready to go.

“There is no type of secret philosophy to the game, it is just get out there and play.”

The Snakes, who are 2-5 and second-last on the NBL ladder, have a home stand coming up, taking on Illawarra, Brisbane and Perth over the next three Saturday evenings, all in the Far North.

Alongside experienced centre Jawai, Newbill says he is embracing the leadership role in season 2019-20.

“It is about learning every day, but we have so many different guys who can lead,” he said.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Round 6: Saturday, November 9, 7pm

Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks

Cairns Convention Centre

Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand

Round 7: Saturday, November 16, 7pm

Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets

Cairns Convention Centre

Round 8: Saturday, November 23, 7pm

Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats

Originally published as Bench bunch primed to bounce back: DJ