Must-Watch games for 2023 NBL1 South season

With the start of the 2023 NBL1 South around the corner, let’s look at some of the must-watch games!

Get a pen or open your digital calendar to mark these key games down for the 2023 South season. 

Women

April 21, Round 3: Launceston Tornadoes vs Knox Raiders

The battle of the Frolings 

The Froling family have a lot of ballers, and after countless backyard brawls, the two twins Alicia and Keely now settle out on the court as professionals. 

The pair will face off early in the NBL1 South, with the reigning MVP making the trip down to Launceston to face Keely. 

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Last season the two clashes were tight contests and with both teams looking to make the Finals once again, this will be a crucial early-season match-up (even if it’s just for bragging rights). 

Catch the game live from 6:00pm AEDT on NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.

 

May 28, Round 8: Ringwood Hawks vs Bendigo Braves 

An absolutely cracking NBL1 South Grand Final will hopefully produce a classic rematch in Round 8 as the Ringwood Hawks will host the Braves in a prime-time Sunday afternoon match-up. 

The Finals MVP Marena Whittle has re-signed, alongside co-star Marta Hermida and the pair will likely dominate the NBL1 South once again this season. 

The Braves have reloaded as well, re-signing double-double machine Megan McKay but also signing WNBL star Amy Atwell for the 2023 NBL1 season. 

Atwell averaged 13 points per game for the Perth Lynx this season in their Finals run, while Megan McKay has truly settled her roots into the Bendigo community after another strong with the Spirit. 

Related: Making Bendigo Home: Megan McKay

Catch the game from 12:00pm AEDT live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

Men

April 30, Round 4: Eltham Wildcats vs Keilor Thunder

Both teams have made major additions as well as re-signing key pieces to their success from last season. 

The Wildcats retained the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year Owen Foxwell, while the Thunder brought back their 19-year-old star Zac Tripplet, who played 10 games for Melbourne United this past season. 

Keilor made significant moves in signing former Cairns Taipans player Robbie Heath and Perth Wildcats Oliver Hayes-Brown. 

Heath averaged 17 points per game for the Diamond Valley Eagles last season while Hayes-Brown averaged 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Willetton Tigers. 

While Eltham has brought in NBL Championship Series hero Angus Glover and United development player Callum Dalton for this coming season. 

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This match will be a test of two young sides, who will come up on top? Find out live from 2:30pm AEDT live on NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

 

 July 7, Round 13: Hobart Chargers vs Mount Gambier Pioneers 

This rematch late in the season will be very different from the battle that took place at the State Basketball Centre last year. 

The two NBL1 South All-Star Five members Harry Froling (now Ipswich Force before injury) and Michael Harris (NZ NBL) have both moved on from the Chargers and Pioneers respectively. 

However, both teams also retained a star with the Chargers re-signing Grand Final MVP Sam McDaniel and the Pioneers re-signing young star Nick Marshall. 

McDaniel had a career game against the Pioneers, scoring an effortless 32 points to close out the championship last season. 




Marshall was outstanding in NBL23, averaging 4,5 points per game in 15 games – he was a part of the Adelaide 36ers' historic win over the Phoenix Suns, made his Boomers debut and signed a three-year deal with the 36ers. 

NBL1 South expert Matt Hickey added that the return of MacDaniel and Jared Batistow was a major positive for the Charges this offseason. While stating the addition of Austin Shelley (formerly Knox) should prove impactful for the Pioneers. 

Conference Expert Picks

NBL1 South expert and writer for the Pick and Roll Matt Hickey gave his picks for some must-watch South action.

April 6, Round 1: Sandringham Sabres vs Frankston Blues. 

Barlow, Ili, Okwera, Pineau, Barker, Trist, Hadziomerovic, Newley. 

I don’t really need to say more but I will.

The Round 1 clash between Sandringham and Frankston is absolutely stacked. NBL talent galore, a couple of two-time Olympians and some players pushing their case to take the next step.

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It’s got all the makings of a barn burner and should be a great early gauge to see how these stacked teams actually come together as a unit. 

We also get to observe something that is a rarer commodity by the year, a player-coach. This will be another season in the role for David Barlow, one that he should now be more comfortable in as the Sabres look to push to a top-four finish.

With the no NBL crossover this year, we should see both teams at full strength (barring injuries). What a way to head into Easter!

Watch the game live from 8:00pm AEDT via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.

 

April 14, Round 2: Mount Gambier Pioneers v Casey Cavaliers 

This off-season has been HUGE for the Pioneers. They came out hard and fast re-signing the likes of Haliegh Reinoehl and Cassandra Brown, whilst also bringing back Sherrie Calleia. 

However, perhaps the biggest news was the recruitment of WNBL player Zitina Aokuso, who should act as an incredible defensive anchor.

Casey, on the other hand, has quietly been putting a strong roster that should play a role when we get to the business end of the season. 

Shereesha Richards, Steph Blicavs and Rachel Bell all return, with some other pieces being added to the squad.

We get to see these two teams go head-to-head early in the season which should be great viewing. Mount Gambier will be eager to bounce back from their straight sets playoffs exit last year, meanwhile, Casey should be desperate to set things right after missing the playoffs in 2022.

Watch the game live from 6:00pm AEDT via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.