Bannan, Magnay lead gritty JackJumpers road win

• JackJumpers dominate the glass with a +20 rebounding margin.
• Josh Bannan posts 20 points and 13 rebounds.
• Will Magnay anchors defence with 13 rebounds and three blocks.
• Cairns fade late after strong first-quarter start.

Tasmania JackJumpers were down 13-0 to start the game but ended up beating the Cairns Taipans by 13 on the road in Round 12 of NBL26 in Cairns on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Typically, the JackJumpers showed their trademark resilience outscoring the Cairns Taipans in three of four quarters to claim an 81–68 victory in Cairns.

Cairns welcomed back star big Sam Waardenburg, who played 24 minutes and looked solid despite going 3-from-11 for eight points. He pulled down six boards but had to sit out towards the end of the first half after hurting his hand hitting an LED board out of frustration.

Cairns opened strongly, riding an early offensive rhythm to a 21–13 first-quarter lead, but the JackJumpers responded with a dominant second period. Tasmania flipped the game by winning the quarter 24–18, tightening defensively and finding consistent scoring inside to take control before halftime.

The JackJumpers then seized full command after the break, outscoring Cairns 23–15 in the third quarter and extending their advantage through superior rebounding and second-chance opportunities. Tasmania’s physicality on the glass proved decisive, finishing with a commanding 51–31 rebounding edge, including 21 offensive boards.

Josh Bannan led the way for Tasmania with a powerful double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds, while captain Will Magnay added 9 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, anchoring the defence. Bryce Hamilton contributed 13 points and 7 assists, and David Johnson chipped in 13 points off the bench to keep the pressure on.

For Cairns, Jack McVeigh carried the offensive load with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while Andrew Andrews added 18 points and 8 assists. However, the Taipans struggled for efficiency and depth scoring, shooting 41.4% from the field and being held to just 14 points in the final quarter.

Tasmania’s ability to absorb Cairns’ early surge, dominate the interior, and control the game’s tempo down the stretch underpinned a professional road performance as they pulled away late to seal the 13-point win.

Key Details

• Result: Tasmania JackJumpers 81 def. Cairns Taipans 68
• When: Friday, 13th December 2025
• Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
• Attendance: 3,876
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Josh Bannan (Tasmania JackJumpers) starred with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in 28 minutes.
• Jack McVeigh (Cairns Taipans) scored 24 points, and had eight rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes.

What Happened

The Taipans established early control, leading 21-13 after the opening quarter behind aggressive offensive play. However, the JackJumpers responded emphatically in the second period, outscoring Cairns 24-18 to cut the deficit to just two points at halftime, setting up an intriguing second half battle.

The third quarter proved pivotal as Tasmania seized control of the contest. The visitors outscored the Taipans 23-15 in the period, transforming their two-point halftime deficit into a six-point advantage heading into the final frame. This momentum shift was crucial in determining the eventual outcome.

Tasmania maintained their stranglehold on proceedings throughout the fourth quarter, outscoring Cairns 21-14 to close out a comprehensive 13-point victory. The JackJumpers' superior execution in the final three quarters ultimately proved the difference in what became a grinding defensive battle.

Josh Bannan delivered an outstanding performance for the victorious JackJumpers, recording an impressive double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. His dominant presence in the paint was complemented by efficient 6-from-14 shooting from the field and stellar 8-from-10 accuracy from the charity stripe. Bryce Hamilton contributed significantly with 13 points, seven boards and seven assists, while Will Magnay added nine points and 13 rebounds in a solid all-around display.

For the Taipans, Jack McVeigh fought valiantly with a team-high 24 points on 8-from-17 shooting, including three triples from nine attempts from beyond the arc. Andrew Andrews chipped in with 18 points, connecting on four three-pointers, but their efforts weren't enough to prevent defeat. Kyrin Galloway managed five points and three rebounds in a disappointing offensive showing.

The JackJumpers' dominance on the boards proved decisive, out-rebounding Cairns 51-31 in a comprehensive display of interior control. Tasmania's superior rebounding ability, particularly on the offensive end where they collected 21 offensive boards compared to Cairns' five, created numerous second-chance opportunities that ultimately swung the contest in their favour.