Women’s Championship Game Preview 

Keilor Thunder vs Waverley Falcons 

10 August 2024 | 4:00 PM AEST

It will be a star studded NBL1 South Women’s Championship game between the Keilor Thunder and Waverley Falcons, headlined by a slew of Australian talent for the final decider. 

For the Thunder, Opals squad member and WNBL Champion Maddi Rocci (16.53 PPG, 5.67 APG & 5.6 RPG) is one to watch, and expect her performance to have a major impact on the result. The Thunder’s playing roster also includes NBL1 South 2024 MVP Isabelle Bourne (19.65 PPG & 9 RPG) who’s been outstanding all season, alongside centre Penina Davidson, import Tera Reed and WNBL development player Lily Carmody.

Returning to the grand final match up, the Falcons bring the WNBL Champion pairing of Bec Cole and Carley Ernst to the court. Looking to continue their recent stunning form, this seasoned duo will steer their team with support from McKenzie Forbes, adding extra scoring power at an average of 15 PPG.  

In the Preliminary Finals last week, the Keilor Thunder continued their dominant display defeating the Ballarat Miners (96-75), whilst the Waverley Falcons accomplished the very difficult road trip across the border and defeated the Mt Gambier Pioneers (92-73).  

NBL1 South’s 2024 Coach of the Year Kristi Harrower will also be making her Grand Final appearance with the Thunder, battling it out against 400-plus NBL1/BigV games Head Coach, Elias Palioyiannis of the Falcons.  

The two clubs have met only once this season, with Keilor taking out the win in round four 79-65. Bourne led the way for Keilor in that game with 19 points, while Bec Cole contributed a solid 18 points for Waverley. 

Can the Waverley Falcons continue their winning form, and do one better than the 2023 season? Or will the spread of offensive weapons from the Keilor Thunder be too much for them?  

Men’s Championship Game Preview

Ballarat Miners vs Eltham Wildcats

10 August 2024 | 7:30 PM AEST

The battle inside the paint will be the key to unlocking this game for both Ballarat Miners and Eltham Wildcats in tonight’s NBL1 South Championship.  

Keep an eye on the dynamic forward positions of NBL1 South 2023 & 2024 Men’s All Star 5 player Tyler Rudolph who has led the Miners scoring this season (20.43 PPG & 7.95 RPG) alongside Majok Majok’s (14.22PP, & 11.61 RPG) weekly double-double. The Wildcats feature a literal ‘walking highlight reel’ in import Josh Sykes (11.96 PPG, 6.43 RPG). His athletic ability, dunks and impactful moments are sure to keep us entertained in this Grand Final game. 

There’s a real South East Melbourne (SEM) Phoenix flavour to this Grand Final. With the Ballarat Miners coached by SEMP Assistant Coach Luke Brennan and Development Player Luke Rosendale (13.74 PPG, 4 APG & 4.04 RPG), while the Eltham Wildcats Owen Foxwell (20.13 PPG, 4.83 APG & 5.04 RPG) and Angus Glover (19.71 PPG, 3.86 APG & 6.29 RPG) will also be on the floor.  

Last weekend the regular season 3rd place Ballarat Miners overcame the talented Sandringham Sabres roster, and regular season 5th place Eltham Wildcats defeated the Frankston Blues in a nail-biting finish.  

Both of these games came down to the final possession, with Tyler Rudolph (37 points) scoring a mid-range 2 pointer to give the Miners the lead (103-101). At Dreamstreet Lending Arena (Frankston) it was Angus Glover (36 points, 10 3-pointers-made & 10 rebounds) who saved the day for the Wildcats, with a step back 3-pointer to end the game (76-74). 

Having played each other twice this season, these teams first met in round 6 and the Miners came away with a 95-82 win. Then in the last game of the regular season, the Wildcats turned the table and won 93-75. This game decided the final ladder positions for both teams. 

Not many would have picked a Ballarat-Eltham Men’s Grand Final when the Finals Series began, but this season has provend you only need to be the best on the day and when it counts!