Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Celebrate Teachers

South East Melbourne Phoenix will come together to give thanks to teachers in their inaugural Teach Appreciation Game against the Cairns Taipans.

Phoenix will look to bounce back after their 13-point loss to the Illawarra Hawks on Thursday night, while the Taipans will hope to go back-to-back with wins.

(Phoenix will take on the Taipans on Saturday night.)

Key Details
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX  1-1 (6th) v. CAIRNS TAIPANS 1-0 (1st)
Where: The Fire Pit, John Cain Arena
When: Saturday, October 8 at 5:30pm AEDT
Watch on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

The Line Up

Phoenix

Phoenix will go in unchanged from Thursday night. They will be without Trey Kell (ribs), Gary Browne (knee) and Ryan Broekhoff (hamstring).

Zhou Qi arrives in the country early next week.

Taipans 

The Taipans will regain guard Jonah Antonio who missed the Round 1 game due to an ankle sprain.

The Key Match Up

Mitch Creek v. Keanu Pinder

Creek will look to have a better game than Thursday night where he had a slow start. The Phoenix needs to find some scoring punch and will hope Creek can provide it.

Pinder started strong against the JackJumpers, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds.

(Phoenix will be looking to jump on the winner's list after a loss against the Hawks on Thursday night.)

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head:
South East Melbourne Phoenix 6 - 4 Cairns Taipans

Last time out – Rd 18, NBL22
Phoenix 85 – 90 Taipans

Phoenix
Creek 21p
Munford 20p
Adnam 11p

Taipans
Pinder 21p
Machado 16p
Deng 16p

The Difference Makers

Junior Madut

Madut had a breakout performance against the Hawks on Thursday night recording a 21 point and seven rebound game.

The Phoenix will need more of Madut flying around the perimeter on defence to contain a Taipans side who, after a 1/12 first half, went 12/29 from three against the JackJumpers.  

DJ Hoag

Hoag impressed in his first NBL game notching up 17 points, four assists, four blocks and two steals.

(Madut will look to back up a standout performance from Thursday night's game.)

The Entertainment

Doors Open – 4:30pm

Phoenix is celebrating and giving extra love to the amazing work that teachers do. Half-time will not want to be missed as teachers from Seaford North Primary School verse teachers from Mount View Primary School. Teachers, bring your VIT registration card to collect your free donut!

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. 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 10 entries for the chance to win an MG at the final home game.

Quote

“It was jumping last Saturday night, it was amazing, even talking to Sauce (Williams) and some of the other guys they were so impressed with how the crowd turned out and how loud it was in the arena. We can’t wait to see the fans back there Saturday and with teacher appreciation round is always amazing.” – Kyle Adnam

Phoenix will celebrate teachers in their Teacher Appreciation Game this Saturday at the Fire Pit against the Cairns Taipans. CLICK HERE to secure your seat!

Phoenix Media (7/10/22)