The must-watch games for the 2025 NBL1 South season

The NBL1 South ended last season on a high, claiming the conference’s third and fourth national championship on the Sunshine Coast. 

With season 2025 starting on March 23, here are the must-watch games you should be pencilling into your calendar. 

A club rivalry in a brand-new venue 

Round 1, March 29: Women’s Knox Raiders vs Kilsyth Cobras 

Two of the largest associations will go head-to-head in the season's opening round as the Knox Raiders host the Kilsyth Cobras in the redeveloped State Basketball Centre – the first NBL1 game in the venue since 2023!

Last season the Raiders had a historic campaign, finishing with a 20-2 record. While their only two losses didn’t come from Kilsyth, they only won the season series (two games) by a combined margin of seven points. 

With a brand new stadium to play in and a bitter rivalry between two of Victoria’s most prominent clubs, this round one clash should be a blockbuster.

A new tradition continues 

Round 4, April 24: Double-header Frankston Blues vs Dandenong Rangers

In a now traditional ANZAC Day Eve clash, the Frankston Blues will host the Dandenong Rangers in what has become a staple of the NBL1 South fixture. 

With both teams wearing specialised jerseys for the event, the atmosphere each season is always one of the key games to attend and tune in for. 

Related: Celebrating ANZAC spirit with NBL1 jerseys

Conference star returns home

Round 1, March 29: Men’s NW Thunder vs Hobart Chargers 

After playing his entire NBL1 career with the Frankston Blues, Lachlan Barker will make his North West Thunder debut in the Tasmanian derby. 

The Tasmanian product has dominated with the Blues, leading his team to multiple finals appearances and the 2022 National Finals – where he was named to the All-Star Five. 

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In this past NBL1 season, Barker averaged 16.6 points, 2.4 assists and made nearly three triples per game for the second-placed Blues. 

Their first game will be against the cross-state rivals in the Hobart Chargers, who have a strong connection to the JackJumpers through now-head coach Jarrad Weeks and former player Jacob Richards. 

Basketball in Tasmania is booming, and this round one clash will most certainly draw a crowd. 

Central MVP moves down South 

Round 1, March 29: Women’s Ballarat Miners vs Bendigo Braves

The NBL1 Central Halls Medallist (women’s MVP) Casey Samuels will play in her first game in the NBL1 South against the club’s regional rival, Ballarat, on March 29th. 

Samuels was the catalyst to the Central District Lions’ miracle turnaround season, going from last to champions in a single-season. She was named the conference’s MVP averaging 22.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists as their captain. 

Currently playing with the WNBL’s Spirit, Samuels will stay in Bendigo for the winter and kickstart a new era of Bendigo basketball under new head coach Deanna Black. 

Women’s Grand Final rematch 

Round 7, May 17: Women’s Waverley Falcons vs Keilor Thunder 

The NBL1 South Grand Final last season was a masterpiece, with the most talented team in the conference versus the hottest team in the country – and Waverley’s form took them over the edge. 

In the 87-82 finish, Carely Ernst’s 26 points was a game-changer for the Falcons – leading them to a title and giving them the momentum they needed to conquer the country at the National Finals. 

Both teams will have a significant number of games under their belt heading into this clash, so it will be a great near mid-season test to see if they both can make a strong finals push once again. 

Men’s Grand Final rematch 

Round 4, April 26: Men’s Eltham Wildcats vs Ballarat Miners 

In a heated clash, the Eltham Wildcats claimed the club’s first championship over the Ballarat Miners 79-70 in last season’s Grand Final.

Angus Glover was outstanding in the game, scoring 30 points and making seven triples to ice the championship – being named the FInals MVP as a result. 

The rematch will take place a day after ANZAC Day on the Wildcats’ turf, meaning plenty of Eltham supporters will fill the crowd to cheer on their senior team. 

See the full NBL1 South fixture here.