‘We have to lock in,’: Galloway Gearing Up For Breakers Showdown

Ahead of the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans' home clash against the New Zealand Breakers this Friday night, Taipans forward Kyrin Galloway is backing his side to bounce back and bring more physicality and energy following a tough 68-81 loss to the JackJumpers last Saturday night.

“We just need to keep building on what we did in the first half against Tasmania,” Galloway said.

“Up the physicality, the energy and double down on where we want to be defensively. Clean up a little bit of the execution and I think we’ll be right there.

“The message is just to stay calm. We got sped up a little bit and had a couple silly turnovers that hurt us. Andrew [Andrews] is really good at keeping us all organised on the court and I think we’ll definitely have a bounce back game.”

It’s a matchup between two hungry sides desperate to make a charge for a playoff position.
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“New Zealand are a really good team and have been playing really well recently,” he said.

“We just have to do the best we can on the scout. They’ve got great bigs and great guards, so we have to lock in.”

Galloway said the return of reigning club MVP Sam Waardenburg was a huge boost for the team.

“The vibe is still high amongst the group, having Waardenburg back helped a lot,” Galloway said. 

“It’s always easier to play with Sam, just the little things he does makes it so much easier for everyone else on the court. I’m excited we have him back.”

Galloway is having an impressive run of form in recent weeks, with the 26-year-old recording the first double-double of his NBL career in the victory against Illawarra.

The stretch four had a season-high 16 points (6-17 FG, 3-7 from three) and a career-high 14 boards, including seven offensive rebounds.

Across the past five rounds, the dangerous shot blocker is averaging 11.8 points and 6.1 rebounds and has been named in the starting five for the last four fixtures.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde praised Galloway’s impact on the floor.

“Galloway has been great,” Forde said.

“He’s one guy in particular that finds the right positions defensively to support his teammates while also defending his man. 

“We will find a way to [play both Galloway and Waardenburg together]. Kyrin is playing really well at the moment and I don’t want to have him sit out because there’s a bit of a logjam at the forward position. We’ll play the best five out on the floor even if it requires four forwards in the line-up.”

The American-Australian began his professional journey with the Breakers as a development player back in 2021.

New Zealand Tall Blacks representative Mojave King is likely to return to the side for Friday’s clash after the exciting guard was ruled out of round 12 with a glute strain. 

‍The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans return to the Cairns Convention Centre to host the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, 19 December at 6:30pm. Grab your tickets HERE.‍