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Cairns Marlins stayed unbeaten in a one-point thriller, while Gold Coast Rollers delivered the most dominant offensive performance of the round in the 2026 NBL1 North Men's Conference.

What the Round Told Us

• Cairns can win under pressure – clear No.1 profile
• Logan remains unbeaten but untested at top level
• Gold Coast’s offence is elite when flowing
• Star power driving outcomes across the league
• Efficiency separating top teams from mid-table

Game of the Round #1

Cairns Marlins 95 def. Sunshine Coast Phoenix 94 – Watch the Replay

Kobe McDowell-White delivered 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, leading Cairns Marlins to a one-point win to remain undefeated at 4-0.

This was the highest-pressure game of the round. Sunshine Coast surged late with a 39-point fourth quarter, nearly stealing the game after trailing through three quarters.

Cairns built their control through balance and efficiency. Amarco Doyle added 25 points, while Luca Yates contributed 16 points and three blocks, giving the Marlins consistent scoring across positions.

McDowell-White controlled tempo throughout, generating offence both as a scorer and playmaker, finishing 10-from-19 from the field.

Sunshine Coast had the biggest individual scoring push of the game.
Deshawn Ross-Paiwan exploded for 32 points, including 9-from-10 from the free throw line, driving the fourth-quarter comeback.

Jamaal Robateau added 20 points, but the Phoenix couldn’t complete the comeback despite their late offensive surge.

The difference came in efficiency and composure.
Cairns shot 49.3% from the field and converted enough late possessions to hold the lead as Sunshine Coast’s final push fell short.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter Scores: Cairns 24-19, 23-19, 14-17, 34-39
• Largest Lead: Cairns +12
• Phoenix surged late; Cairns held final possessions

By the Numbers

• Cairns: 95 points - 49.3% FG - 45 rebounds - balanced scoring
• Sunshine Coast: 94 points - Ross-Paiwan 32 pts - 39-point fourth

Game of the Round #2

Gold Coast Rollers 125 def. North Gold Coast Seahawks 99 – Watch the Replay

James Whitt produced a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, leading Gold Coast Rollers to a dominant 26-point win.

This was the highest-scoring game of the round and one of the most efficient offensive displays.

Gold Coast shot 62.0% from the field, controlling the game through ball movement and shot selection. They finished with 29 assists, consistently generating high-percentage looks.

Whitt controlled the game as a primary creator, while Boston Mazlin added 26 points and nine free throws without a miss, and Jensen Bradtke contributed 20 points.

The depth was overwhelming. Gold Coast had seven players scoring in double figures, maintaining scoring pressure across all four quarters.

North Gold Coast had individual production but couldn’t contain the scoring. Jasraj Gill led with 26 points, while Sean Murphy added 22, but the Seahawks couldn’t generate stops.

The gap widened through efficiency – Gold Coast’s shot-making and ball movement created a consistent scoring advantage that North Gold Coast couldn’t match.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter Scores: Rollers 34-27, 32-29, 23-22, 36-21
• Largest Lead: Rollers +26
• Sustained offensive execution created separation

By the Numbers

• Gold Coast: 125 points - 62.0% FG - 29 assists - 50 rebounds
• North Gold Coast: 99 points - 48.1% FG - defensive breakdowns

Other Results

• Logan Thunder 103 def. Mackay Meteors 77
  Logan moved to 3-0, maintaining an unbeaten start.
• Cairns Marlins 99 def. Northside Wizards 72
  Cairns completed a dominant weekend to stay top of the ladder.
• Mackay Meteors 112 def. Ipswich Force 95
  Mackay bounced back with strong offensive output.
• Brisbane Capitals 109 def. Southern Districts Spartans 85
  Capitals reinforced their top-three position.

Men’s Ladder – After Round 3

1. Cairns Marlins: 4-0
2. Logan Thunder: 3-0
3. Brisbane Capitals: 3-1
4. Sunshine Coast Phoenix: 2-1
5. Gold Coast Rollers: 2-1

Watchlist – Round 4

• Cairns vs Townsville – top-end test
• Mackay vs Brisbane – ladder impact
• Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast – offence vs structure
• Ipswich vs Logan – unbeaten pressure test

Round 4 Questions

• Can anyone challenge Cairns’ unbeaten start?
• How real is Logan’s 3-0 record?
• Is Gold Coast the most dangerous offensive team?
• Which mid-table team separates?