Townsville Crocodiles vs. Cairns Taipans

Sunday, 11th January – 4.00pm (local time)

Townsville RSL Stadium

Odds: Townsville $1.90, Cairns $1.90

Tickets: Click here

Townsville will host Cairns in the fourth and final Reptile Rumble of the NBL season.

The Crocs are struggling for consistency but have shown glimpses all season, and with Brian Conklin hitting rare form once again they could trouble some of the playoff bound teams on the run home.

Cairns are one of those sides, with the Taipans well in contention for a top two finish and looking to keep pace with the leaders here. Cam Tragardh has been superb off the bench and continues to give his side energy every night.

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Key Player

Brian Conklin

Conklin is hitting his straps at the right time of the year, but unfortunately for the big Croc his side isn’t quite in the playoffs picture.

Nonetheless, he holds the key to deciding Townsville’s fate in this crucial clash against the Taipans, with a win helping to boost the club after a rough couple of weeks, both on and off the court.

Conklin’s competitiveness and his size and athleticism down low will make for a great matchup with Matt Burston, and if he can get the better of the Taipans big man then it could spell trouble for the visiting side

What To Watch For

Two cross-town rivals going head-to-head as the season heats up

While they’ve met three times already this season, the Townsville-Cairns rivalry will be at its peak in the final instalment, given both clubs are in need of a win for very different reasons and the season is entering its tense final stages.

A sell-out would do the home side a world of good right now and would just add another layer to the match, and after one possession decided their last clash, this contest is poised magnificently.

Final Word

Both sides are coming off a game two nights earlier, but the Crocs will need to travel from Sydney in between.

Townsville desperately needs to put in a good showing at home and grab a win for its fans, and the beleaguered club would love nothing more than to do that at the expense of its far-north Queensland rivals.

After their last clash went down to the wire, Townsville will give themselves a fighting chance of snaring an upset win this time around, but the Snakes are playing far too well right now to be ruled out.

Cairns by 4

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