The 24-year-old was outstanding last October, averaging 25 points on 64 per cent shooting and 10 rebounds over a five-game stretch.

While he has been unable to match those numbers 12 months later, the Hawks have one more game in the win column than they did a year ago and Tragardh isn't complaining.

"The bottom line is we've got more wins already than this time last year and we're looking a lot better as a team, and I'll take wins any day," the 2007 NBL Most Improved Player said.

"When we win, we all look good, we all feel good. Last year there were times in the locker room after the game and I had 25 points, but we've all got our heads in our hands because we'd lost.

"It's not a good feeling. I'll swap that feeling for the 'w' any day.

"I'm just trying to focus on playing hard at the defensive end, and our roles have obviously changed offensively," he said.

"Last year Kavossy (Franklin) and I carried a lot of the scoring load, but this year it's a shared responsibility. Sav (Glen Saville) brings a lot to the table, (Anthony) Petrie, Dusty (Rychart), Matty (Campbell) and the guys, so it's much more shared around, and that's definitely a good thing."

Tragardh will match up against former Sydney Kings centre Ian Crosswhite when the Hawks host Cairns tonight.

He said his team had prepared for a rugged encounter.

"We don't have too much problem firing up at home, and we need to keep that up because Cairns are a very physical and talented team," he said.

"We're definitely going to try and push them around a bit and play them a bit at their own game."