That's the ingredient Matt Hodgson brings to a Brisbane Bullets roster packed with some of the NBL's silkiest ball handlers.

For, while opponents are focused on the backcourt threats posed by Lamar Patterson, Nathan Sobey and Cameron Gliddon, Hodgson is the towering contrast who lopes in and ransacks the paint.

The centre was crucial in providing another shade to Brisbane's 90-74 win against the Cairns Taipans at the Queensland State Netball Centre on Friday night.

There are higher profile players in the team, and Sobey's 21 points easily stands out as a game-high contribution.

But Hodgson was the one who recognised the first-half danger posed by Cairns' Nathan Jawai and rose to meet the challenge.

"I like that match-up because I like going against true centres," Hodgson said of his 14-points, four rebounds and two blocks.

"Nate's hard for anyone to deal with. He's hard for (Andrew) Bogut to deal with. He's a monster out there. Anytime you play against some one like that it's fun.

"That's the style I enjoy. At the offensive end the paint's wide open because we've got so many shooters."

Hodgson has embraced more responsibility this season after the off-season departure of former NBA forward Cameron Bairstow.

He shared the front-court duties with Patterson and 21-year-old Will Magnay against the Taipans and must stand up again on Sunday against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Melbourne Arena.

Their work on the glass will be scrutinised after being out-rebounded 41-31 by Cairns, although Brisbane coach Andrej Lemanis demanded a collective approach.

"It's an area of concern for us. It's something we've got to keep working on and we've got to rebound as a group," he said.

Magnay is the big improver after playing 16 games for the club over the past two seasons.

The 208cm power forward was a standout in Queensland's state league after packing several kilograms of muscle onto his young frame and he has benefitted from the guidance of Bullets assistant coach, former league MVP Sam Mackinnon.

"No one knows (Magnay) yet but they will by the end of the season," Hodgson said.

Australian Associated Press