NBL1 South 2024 Preliminary Final Previews

NBL1 South 2024 Women - Preliminary Final 1: Keilor Thunder v. Ballarat Miners

3 August 2024 | 5:30 PM AEST

Keilor Stadium

In the first NBL1 South 2024 Women’s Preliminary Final, the Keilor Thunder will host the Ballarat Miners. The Thunder enter this final after defeating the Dandenong Rangers in the Qualifying Final (68-59) earning the home hosting rights and a week off, while the Miners earnt their spot after defeating the Eltham Wildcats in the Elimination Final (97-83) and winning last week’s close Semi Final, against the minor premiers the Knox Raiders (77-73).

Keilor Thunder have been the bench mark all season filled with WNBL talent. Their talent starts with WNBL Champion (Southside Flyers 2024) point guard Maddi Rocci (16.53 PPG, 5.67 APG & 5.6 RPG), followed by their scoring and rebounding leader; Isabelle Bourne (19.65 PPG & 9 RPG).Penina Davidson (14.52 PPG & 8.83 RPG), Tera Reed (12.27 PPG & 2.73 APG) and Lily Carmody (8.35 PPG & 4.34 RPG) all contribute strongly making this a very tough team to play

After a bit of a slow start the Ballarat Miners qualified for the finals in the final weeks as their roster came together late in the season. On a 12 – 1 win streak they will head into this game with confidence. Their scoring is led by 2023 All-Star Five member Chloe Bibby (23.84 PGG & 7.68 RPG) supported by Abigail Wehrung (15.24 PPG, 4.24 APG & 6.52 RPG), Mehryn Kraker (14.53 PPG, 5.27 APG & 6.73 RPG) and Jaz Shelley (12.4 PPG, 4.7 APG & 5.5 RPG)

Their last match up in Rd 5 saw Ballarat take the win on the court 72-90, with both teams having key players missing so is probably not reflective of this Saturdays game.

This game is filled with key match ups; Chloe Bibby vs. Penina Davidson, Abigail Wehrung vs. Maddison Rocci and Jaz Shelley vs. Isabella Bourne.

Both teams are lead by experienced, high IQ basketball brains in Kristi Harrower (Keilor Thunder) and Kennedy Kereama (Ballarat) who will both be coming up with game plans to get their team over the line and a grand final berth against the winner of the other Preliminary Final, Mt Gambier Pioneers v Waverley Falcons.

NBL1 South 2024 Women - Preliminary Final 2: Mt Gambier Pioneers v. Waverley Falcons

3 August 2024 | 7:30 PM AEST

Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre

In the second NBL1 South 2024 Women’s Preliminary Final, the Mt Gambier Pioneers will host the Waverley Falcons. The Pioneers host this game after winning the Qualifying Final (earning them a week off) against top of the table Knox Raiders (86-78) while the NBL1 South 2023 Runners Up, the Waverley Falcons join them after knocking out the Sandringham Sabres in the Elimination Final (95-69), then defeating the Dandenong Rangers (96-86) in the Semi Final last Saturday

The Mt Gambier Pioneers finished the regular season with a 14-8 recording, fourth on the leader. Zitina Aokuso leads almost every stat line for the Pioneers, averaging 17.32 PPG, 4.7 APG, 8.53 RPG and 1.37 BPG. She’s supported by a depth of guards Sherrie Calleia (17.3 PPG, 4.65 APG), Haileigh Reinoehl (15.26 PPG & 7.2 RPG), Isabella Brancetisano (12.39 PPG, 4.35 APG, 5.52 RPG) and Samatha Fatkin (11.27 PPG, 2.14 APG and 6.23 RPG)

Much like the 2023 season, the Waverley Falcons are led by the Southside Flyers duo of Rebecca Cole (18.53 PPG & 5 APG) and Carley Ernst (17.57 PPG, 3.65 APG & 8 RPG). A late addition to the roster, import McKenzie Forbes also brings socring power with 15 points per game. They started the final series from 7^th position at the end of the regular home and away season, having finished with a strong winning streak of 6 heading into the finals.

The Carley Ernst v. Zitina Aokuso matchup is the most interesting match up with Ernst’s ability to score behind the perimeter going up against Aokuso additional size in the paint.

The only time they played this season was back in Rd 1 with the Pioneers getting the advantage 66-95, although Waverley were without Cole & import player Forbes so this upcoming game will be quite different.

Whoever succeeds on Saturday will face the winners of Keilor Thunder v Ballarat Miners for a grand final berth.

NBL1 South 2024 Men - Preliminary Final 1: Sandringham Sabres v. Ballarat Miners

3 August 2024 | 7:30 PM AEST

Southern Basketball Stadium

In the first NBL1 South 2024 Men’s Preliminary Final, the Sandringham Sabres will host the Ballarat Miners. The Sandringham Sabres host this game after defeating the minor premiers Mt Gambier Pioneers (75-59) in the Qualifying Final earning themselves a week off. Ballarat, who finished third on the regular season ladder enter this final after losing to Frankston Blues in the Qualifying Final (58-97), but then defeating the Dandenong Rangers (91-78) to stay in the hunt.

Both teams are led by Asst NBL Coaches in Luke Brennan (South East Melbourne Phoenix) and Dave Barlow/Rhys Carter (Melbourne United)

The Sandringham Sabres’ playing line up is stacked. It starts with Melbourne United rostered players Shea Ili (17.07 PPG, 5.43 APG & 1.47 SPG) and Tanner Krebs (21.10 PPG & 9.15 RPG),and continues with United DPs Campbell Blogg (13 PPG & 2.35 APG) and Tom Koppens (12.32 PPG & 8 PPG). Adding to the line up is NBL centre Dane Pineau who brings 9.15 rebounds and 1.8 block per game.

The Ballarat Miners scoring starts with NBL1 South 2023 leading scorer & All Star 5 player Tyler Rudolph (20.43 PPG & 7.95 RPG) and Nicholas Stoddart (14.87 PPG & 3.04 APG). NBL Centre Majok Majok brings a double-double every game (14.29 PPG & 11.1 RPG) NBL Development Player Luke Rosendale adds to the stat sheet (13.74 PPG, 4 APG & 4.04 RPG)

The Ballarat Miners previously defeated the Sabres at home in Rd 13 late in the season, in the absense of Shea Illi and Dane Pineaeu .

The Sabres have so much offensive fire power, the Miners will need to be on their A game and on their night will take it to the Sabres.

NBL1 South 2024 Men - Preliminary Final 2: Frankston Blues v. Eltham Wildcats

3 August 2024 | 7:30 PM AEST

Dreamstreet Lending Arena

In the second NBL1 South 2024 Men’s Preliminary Final, the Frankston Blues will host the Eltham Wildcats. A 7-minute sell out, sees the Frankston Blues host this game after their empathic win over the Ballarat Miners (97-58) in the Qualifying Final. The Eltham Wildcats enter this game after winning the Elimination Final against Geelong United (86-81), then defeating minor premiership winners, the Mt Gambier Pioneers (91-82). They have a double digit win record since Rd 9 so come into the game full of confidence.

The Frankston Blues finished the regular season with a 8-0, claiming second on the ladder. The Blues scoring is lead by NBL1 South 2023 Co-MVP Daniel Trist (18.91 PPG & 11.68 RPG), plus the addition of their start guard spots filled by non-related Barkers, Lucas Barker (14.59 PPG, 5.41 APG, 4.73 RPG) and Lachlan Barker (16.71 PPG & 2.33 APG). Import forward Stokley Chaffee adds 12.14 PPG and 7.09 RPG.

The Eltham Wildcats are led by their (newly formed) SEM Phoenix duo of Owen Foxwell (20.13 PPG, 4.83 APG & 5.04 RPG) and Angus Glover (19.71 PPG, 3.86 APG & 6.29 RPG). Imports Ralph Bissainthe (16.13 PPG & 6.13 RPG) and Josh Sykes (11.96 PPG, 6.43 RPG) round out the main offensive contributions with many players stepping up off the bench each game.

The Blues and Wildcats have different offensives focuses. Will Etham’s;Owen Foxwell and Angus Glover dominate the guard positional match up over the Blues, or will the size and strength of Daniel Trist and Stokley Chaffee from Frankston be too much for the Wildcats, whatever, this will be a high octane game to watch