Is Taran Armstrong playing?

One of the interesting things I find about the returning teams, that have done preseason trips state side, is that success/failure on the return to NBL hasn't been a good guide to form. Eg Adelaide wins, returns no team chemistry. Wildcats wins, returns WTF. NZ gets smashed definitely playing like a team.
I suspect Forde and Cairns will have grown through the time spent together and want to show how unified they are after the shit that went on here while they were away.
Only way it remains close is it becomes a shootout. Cairns by plenty

One of the interesting things I find about the returning teams, that have done preseason trips state side, is that success/failure on the return to NBL hasn't been a good guide to form. Eg Adelaide wins, returns no team chemistry. Wildcats wins, returns WTF. NZ gets smashed definitely playing like a team.
I suspect Forde and Cairns will have grown through the time spent together and want to show how unified they are after the shit that went on here while they were away.
Only way it remains close is it becomes a shootout. Cairns by plenty

Out of interest did cairns not want Hogg or did kings outbid?? He was just such a big loss...

In saying that I can't see them losing to hawks but they've got a lot to sort out to make finals

I believe it was a combination of slightly more money, but also more likelihood of gaining an NBA contract being in a successful and/or metro team as opposed to a smaller market. Either way Cairns was keen to keep him and I believe he was open to staying, but the cards fell the other way.

Taran Armstrong is a game day decision on availability. McCall out.

Cairns should get the W if they play well, but first game back from US trip so probably a coin toss.

You are wrong, Damo 75

Not Sure, maybe you're right...

Shocking standard. Going to be a tough watch this.....

Yes it's certainly not as good as the game from nz. Hawks showing a bit fight though.

Cairns shouldn't have gone to the US. They should have gone to Townsville to play the Townville Fire.

They are sh1t

Can not see either of these sides playing finals, but neither were Adelaide 4 hours ago.

This is so so bad...

Only the hawks could throw this away, they have control and bring in subs just to give them time, Blanchfield days are over.

Why is he benching Olbrich, he plays quality D, no idea.

Harvey is woeful. I can't work out what's worse... hawks offence or taipans defence

It's actually embarrassing for the league it's so bad

Worst game I've seen for a few seasons

Olbrich is keeping hawks in this, should start and get big time.

Well done hawks, were the best team and probably deserves the win. I'm not certain who does the hawks subbing but it’s woeful and that’s being polite. It’s not under 12 where everyone has to play, sort your top 7/8 and stick with it.

Cairns got few out will be better when they return, I doubt they will be at same level as last season. Miller kept them in it but won’t when they play better defensive sides.

Certainly not an advertisement for the game but hawks will take the win.

Haha Kolzee

Kolzee was right, Harvey is horrible despite the winner, he owed them.

You just have to win. He did that.

Harvey was far from horrible, just missed some threes he'd normally make. Hits two of those and he's had an unbelievable game.

Yeah he took some ill-advised shots, but that is him. Hopefully he does take something from the last quarter when he did a better job of allowing the offence to get him the ball rather than forcing it and he got some great shots.

Who and when does Harvey play D, if he hasn't scored twenty plus you are behind.

He did score 20, including 9 and 2 assists in the final term, and thanks to him they ended in front! Not his best game, but far from horrible

Harvey made a couple of the bad shots late that he usually misses. More impressive for me was that he got his float/short range going again for the most part, which has always been the most dangerous part of his game and really fell off the past couple of seasons.

Trying to work out that Hawks T/O with a minute to g. When Cairns had the baseline inbounds. Your last T/O.

Nothing seemed to come of it. Except Cairns scored. Adam Forde probably thinking "tahnks for that Jake, I just saved a T/O". So whatever defensive plan you had didn't work. You should be able to call out what D you want to run at that time and players should know what to do. I've coached U14s and got them to run a trap at my call in a game.

And you didn't have a T/O left to advance the ball if needed.