Heartland Hustle: Big Guns Back for Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix host the New Zealand Breakers at the Fire Pit on Saturday night. Trey Kell, Ryan Broekhoff, and Zhou Qi return for the Phoenix, who face off against two ex-teammates in, Izayah Le’afa and Cam Gliddon.

Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX  1-2 (7th) v NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 1-1 (4th)
Where: The Fire Pit, John Cain Arena
When: Saturday, October 15 at 8 pm AEDT
Watch on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

(Zhou Qi is back for the Phoenix.)

The Line-Up

Phoenix

Ryan Broekhoff and Trey Kell return from injury, while Zhou Qi, who arrived in Melbourne on Monday, will play his first game for the season.

Malcolm Bernard has been deactivated; Gary Browne remains on the injury list, he is replaced in the lineup by Owen Foxwell.

Breakers

The Breakers will be without veteran Tom Abercrombie as he recovers from an eye injury.

The Key Match Up

Zhou Qi v Derek Pardon

The extra height of Zhou will be a bonus for Phoenix as he returns for NBL23 and will add to the team's dominance on the boards.

Pardon has been huge for the Breakers on both ends of the floor; his height and impressive wingspan has made him a monster around the ring; the battle between Alan Williams and Zhou Qi will go a long way to deciding the outcome.

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head:
South East Melbourne Phoenix 8-3 New Zealand Breakers

Last time out – Rd 19, NBL22
Phoenix 99 – 89 Breakers

Phoenix
Munford 25p
Zhou 22p
Le’afa 18p

Breakers
Dieng 22p
Abercrombie 17p
Wetzell 14p

(Broekhoff re-joins the team after an interrupted pre-season with injury.)

The Difference Makers

Ryan Broekhoff

The return of Broekhoff will add some much-needed scoring and leadership to the Phoenix line-up.

Barry Brown Jr

Brown has immediately impacted the Breakers, averaging 18 points and four assists.

The Entertainment

Doors Open – at 7 pm

Make sure you get involved in our Firestarter moment just before tip-off. All Phoenix fans, get off your seats and make some noise as the game starts. Stay on your feet until the band stops playing and sing along. Bring the energy!

At three-quarter time, one lucky fan will get the chance to shoot a half-court shot for a brand-new MG.

If you attend the game and are a Phoenix member, you will get ten entries and a bonus of ten entries for the chance to win an MG at the final home game of the season.

(Kell will play his first game for the Phoenix for NBL23.)

How to Get to the Fire Pit

The precinct will be busy on Saturday night with an A-League Game at AAMI Park. Please plan your trip to John Cain Arena.

If travelling via public transport, please note buses replace trains on sections of the Hurstbridge, Sunbury, Werribee, and Williamstown lines this weekend. To plan your journey, www.ptv.vic.gov.au

The Eastern Car Park is expected to sell out. Book early so you don’t miss out. Pre-book at prebook.mopt.vic.gov.au

CLICK HERE for tickets for Saturday's game against the Breakers

Phoenix Media (14/10/22)