NBL1 South 2023 Women's Grand Final Preview

The stage is set for an epic showdown as the Bendigo Braves and the Waverley Falcons collide in the NBL1 South 2023 Women’s Grand Final. On one side, we have the undefeated powerhouse, Bendigo Braves, who have been on an impressive winning streak, and on the other side, the resilient Waverley Falcons, who fought their way back from a lower seeding to reach the pinnacle game of the season.

Bendigo have been nothing short of dominant throughout the season. With a flawless record of 22 wins in the regular season, they continued their winning ways in the playoffs, defeating the Waverley Falcons in the qualifying final and narrowly edging out the Mount Gambier Pioneers in a thrilling preliminary final.

Waverley had a solid season, finishing fourth with a respectable 16-6 record. Although they faced a setback in the qualifying final against the Braves, they showed incredible determination and teamwork to overcome the Eltham Wildcats in the semi-finals and the Geelong United Supercats in the preliminary final.

Bendigo’s success can largely be attributed to their superstar, Megan McKay, who last night earned the 2023 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. McKay’s remarkable averages of 25 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game make her a dominant force on both ends of the court. Amy Atwell has been another crucial contributor to the Braves’ scoring, averaging an impressive 24.9 points per game. Cassidy McLean has also been an asset, adding 14.9 points per game to the team’s offensive firepower. Leading the charge on the court is Kelly Wilson, the back-to-back recipient of the 2023 ‘Golden Hands’ award, who has been dishing out an impressive 10.6 assists per game while maintaining a formidable 2.3 steals per game on the defensive end.

Waverley, on the other hand, have been anchored by the versatile Rebecca Cole. With her all-around talent, Cole has been averaging 20.4 points, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 3 rebounds per game, making her a significant threat on both offense and defense. Carley Ernst has been a reliable support to Cole, contributing 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1 block per game. Maddi Utti’s well-rounded performance, with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, has also been instrumental for the Falcons. Plus, the team boasts two additional players who have consistently averaged double digits in scoring - Renae Mokrzycki and Sophia Locandro.

For Bendigo, maintaining their undefeated momentum and capitalising on the strengths of Megan McKay and Amy Atwell will be crucial. The leadership and experience of Kelly Wilson in orchestrating the offense, forcing turnovers on defense will be pivotal to their success.

Waverley will be looking to upset the undefeated streak of their opponents by exploiting the versatility of Rebecca Cole and Carley Ernst. Keeping the offensive pressure high and making smart defensive plays will be essential for the Falcons to secure a victory.

As the NBL1 South 2023 Women’s Grand Final commences, fans can expect an intense battle between two talented and determined teams. The Bendigo Braves will be eager to finish their undefeated season with a title, while the Waverley Falcons will be seeking redemption after their previous loss to the Braves. With star players leading the charge on both sides, it promises to be a high-octane and gripping encounter that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Whichever team emerges victorious, one thing is certain – the NBL1 South 2023 Women’s Grand Final will be a game to remember.

GRAND FINAL REFEREES

• Andrew Johnson (Crew Chief)
• Sam Viergever
• Chloe Erskine
• Adrian Schruhm (Ref Coach)

SCOREBENCH AND STATISTICIANS

• Chairperson: Kerri Fielding
• Scorer: Lauren Davis
• Assistant Scorer: Teshia Wilkinson
• Timer: Naomi Potts
• Shot Clock: Vivian Hughes
• Caller: Alex Georgeallis
• Inputter: Mithali Rajagopalan
• Spotter: Tim Boxall