Match preview: Sixers head to Hobart to tackle table toppers

The Adelaide 36ers will be aiming for back-to-back wins and have been challenged to remain consistent defensively by their coach as they head to Hobart to take on the Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday night.

The Sixers bounced back from three straight losses with a strong win over Sydney on Sunday, keeping the reigning NBL champs to just 78 points – their lowest score by far so far this season.

That outcome prompted Head Coach Trevor Gleeson to challenge the group to be consistent on the defensive end with a key figure in that performance, Matt Kenyon, labelling the showing as a “baseline” for the side.

The JackJumpers go into the game at the top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 ladder with a 4-1 record and on the back of three wins in-a-row.

The game comes in a week where former Sixer Anthony Drmic announced his retirement after 279 NBL games in 11 seasons.

Drmic featured in 139 games across five seasons with the 36ers and went on to play for Brisbane before becoming a championship player with the JackJumpers in NBL24.

JackJumpers captain Will Magnay has been in fine form so far this season. He leads the competition for blocks (2.6 bpg), ranks top five in the competition for rebounds (8.0 rpg) and is also averaging 16.8 points at 63% from the field and 4.8 assists per game.

Without Isaac Humphries, the 3-4 Sixers may lack the size of their opponent but Gleeson thinks that could work in his side’s favour.

“We've been playing small and I think we shot 50 threes last weekend,” he said.

“So if they can keep up with us, all the better.

“We want to share the ball, we want to move the ball fast and if they trap them, we've got to create opportunities for it.

“John (Jenkins) got 17 threes (against Sydney). Maybe he'll get 20 threes this time.”

The Sixers don’t have a great record at MyState Bank Arena, having lost four of their last visits there, however they did win on their most recent visit there in November when Zylan Cheatham did most of the damage with 27 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.

Friday night’s game gets underway at 7:00pm ACDT / 7:30pm AEDT.

If you can’t be there live, you can tune in on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS

MyState Bank Arena, Hobart, Friday 16 October, 7:00pm ACDT

Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL

Played 15, Adelaide 5, Tasmania 10

At MyState Bank Arena

Played 7, Adelaide 2, Tasmania 5
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LAST FIVE MATCHES

Jan 9, 2026 – JackJumpers 80 def 36ers 72 at AEC

Nov 13, 2025 – 36ers 97 def JackJumpers 86 at MyState Bank Arena

Oct 9, 2025 – 36ers 98 def JackJumpers 89 at AEC

Jan 10, 2025 – JackJumpers 104 def 36ers 103 at MyState Bank Arena

Nov 30, 2024 – JackJumpers 77 def 36ers 73 at AEC

KEY STATS

• Adelaide has won the second half in 13 of its last 14 away games after trailing at half-time.

• Adelaide has lost the first half in each of its last four games.

• Adelaide has lost four of its last five games at MyState Bank Arena.

• Tasmania has won each of its last three games.

• Will Magnay has recorded three blocks in each of his last three appearances against Adelaide.

• Tasmania scored 122 points against Illawarra on Friday - team's most points in franchise history.

• Heading into Round 5, Nick Rakocevic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (11.3) this season.

• Bryce Cotton has recorded 4+ assists in 43 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

• John Jenkins made an equal-career-high six three-pointers in his last appearance.

• Heading into Round 5, Matt Kenyon has played the most minutes without a turnover (113:49) of any player in the league this season

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