http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/11631/02/83/45/96uCkjjPn1Y/ - Boxscore.

Young guys got a lot of minutes tonight which was good. Alex (recovery), Dusty (Hammy twinge, needed for QBL Friday) and Cam G (Back recovery) sat out the whole game - Jamar has had the flu all weekend so had limited minutes before being sent to the showers mid 2nd quarter once Shaun Bruce showed he has the ability to run the floor. IMO he out played Kerry during most of the game - Kerry finished strong with 2 big steals and layups to even the scores for Trigger and Hill to ice the game. Motum is a definite future boomer - played like an arrogant turd and got fouled out, but the man has skills (41 points from all over the court). Definite NBA/Europe prospect after college if someone kicks him in the arse and gets that chip off his shoulder.

Clint Steindl smashed it - good handle, turn of speed to get the open shot, dropping bombs (4/7), rebounding and defended really well. Had a cramp at the end but wasn't brought back on. He will be vying for rookie of the year - no doubt.

Trigger is not 100% with his hammy, but he was still deadly from close range. He is very fit, focused and he has improved his rebounding/defence under Fearne already.

Brad Hill has got his swag back and was doing whatever he wanted - big put back dunks, hitting a 3 and a few long 2's - his shooting action looks to be coming back but his athleticism has stepped up.

Matt Andronicos has potential - for a big guy he doesn't use it alot and Fearne could be heard yelling at him 'use your size, they shouldnt be moving you'. Expect him to get minutes to rest trig/loughton during the season. When he was aggressive and boxing out he was effective.

Shaun Bruce was the surprise packet of the night. Been in town since midday Monday then slips right into pg running Hill, Bobo, trigger and steindl like he has been here the last 2 months. Super impressed with his handle and he came up with a big clutch 3 with 1 second on the shot clock from a Wilson assist. Some nerves and unfamiliarity led to 4 apples (turn overs) but he came up with a few big blocks to get the ball back against bigger players. Definite future NBL PG prospect - be surprised if he isn't on the Taipans roster next season - outside chance of taking the backup PG spot still on offer.

Overall given it was the 2nd on court session (been only fitness training till now) and not the full crew, the team has picked up on last year and IMO will be even better than the GF squad 2 years ago as it goes deeper with Cam G, Loughton, Rychart and Jamar (really didn't do anything, he looked like he was going to puke at one point...)

Next preseason game is the 14th Sept vs Wildcats at home so we should see even more improvement with players coming back and the young guns settling into the system. Having guys like Clint and Cam G who hit the open 3 consistently will greatly improve the Taipans over last year and the year before. Taipans fans, get excited cause the team is looking lethal at both ends and its with 4/10 not playing.

ummm Brock Motum people

HE is legit

41 points at 68% plus 7 boards

Another of Marty's brood that i hope translates to a 36ers uniform

Motum has had a great Tour of Australia surely he'll end up in Euro or fringe NBA (not sure he is Athletic enough) if can can have a standout year.

Awesome. His three performances have been really great. High scores at high percentages. Keep in mind though Cairns were without Loughton, Rychart and their import big, while Melbourne were without Scott, Ballinger and Walker.

Clint Steindl. Fearne has done it again. What a pick-up. He looks good for rookie of the Year.
Trigger adds some improved shooting in the paint that was lacking with Crosswhite.
Hill looking in fine form.
Kerry will probably fill the 10th man on the roster - but Adakponya or Bruce would be snapping at his heels.
Solid performance by Grabau.
Wilson clearly ill.
All other Taipans on the bench - a long list of recovering injuries at this point, which is the only worry for the season.
If fit, this will be the best Taipans squad ever to hit the court.

Oh. And Brock Motum. The guy is a freak.

If Brock Motum ends up playing for the Sixers I think you'd have to class it as a minor disappointment. Should graduate to Europe straight after college.

The only way I could see him in the NBL is if he is homesick, wants a year at home and Brisbane re-enter the competition! Either that or the European economy completely goes to the shizer.

Motum is legit and will be an NBA draft prospect.

Could be another Aussie contender to win a conference POTY award in the Pac-12 aongside Delly, Broekhoff, Greenwood and Drmic.

Thanks Venom - great effort.

36ers could've used someone like Steindl, though I don't think we could've gone with a rookie for our shooting role.

Big performance by Motum!

The thing about Steindl is that you get the feeling that if he could drive or have a moderate post game he would have been drafted.

His 3 point shot and defense are top notch but it's just these other parts of his game that can bring him down.

I hope Cairns fans take a wait and see approach. Clint was very patchy with Saint Mary's over 4 years.

@rohant16 - his driving to the rim opened up a lot of easy baskets for trig and hill as well as opening up some sweet open 3 screens dishing back out after sucking in 2 defenders.

There are a lot more talented players than clint who didn't get drafted. Taipans fans will take him as is LOL

Im interested to see how he goes at NBL level. He looks very skinny, and this is a physical league. Im sure he will be a good player once he fills out, but this first year could be a bit up and down. Having good bigs and a great PG to attract attention should get him some good looks though.

The point i'm trying to make is that during his 4 years at Saint Mary's he didn't develop much outside of his 3 point shot and his defensive pressure skills. He came to the party towards the end of the season helping the Gaels win the title but I expected a bit more from him.

He throws up a lot of junk close to the ring that doesn't go in. I hope that part of his game can improve.

One thing Fearne would have to love is the team had just one day on court but came out and won a close game with just four players from last year's roster, and one of them barely playing.

Regardless of the opposition that is a good effort.