Games of the Week Preview: First Nations Round

The annual First Nations Round tipped off last night with the NBL1 South Game of the Week! This weekend, we have eight more games featuring deadly talent live and free via Kayo Freebies.

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Check out the must-watch players this weekend below: 

Friday, Round 13: Southern Districts Spartans vs Brisbane Capitals 

Women’s live from 6:30pm | Men’s live from 8:30pm 

Southern Districts Spartans: Abby Cubillo 

After a year-long rehab with an ACL injury, Cubillo made her return to the court with the Spartans in mid-June. 

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In three games, she’s averaged 12 points and four assists, barely skipping a beat from her previous All-Star Five seasons with Brisbane. 

Wearing the First Nations jersey she designed, Cubillo will have even more motivation this weekend against her former club to get the win and help the Spartans make a deeper finals push. 

Saturday, Round 15: Perry Lakes Hawks vs East Perth Eagles

Women’s live from 5:00pm | Men’s live from 7:00pm 

East Perth Eagles: Taylor Young 

After a disappointing 7-15 record last season, captain Taylor Young promised that the Eagles would be far more improved in 2024. 

Related: East Perth have something to prove in 2024

Sitting fifth on the ladder with an 11-7 record heading into Round 15, the star import has kept his promise and will be hunting for another win against the Hawks. 

Averaging career-high points and assists per game, he’ll be the one to watch in this late-season finals push. 

Saturday, Round 13: Hills Hornets vs Central Coast Crusaders 

Women’s live from 5:30pm | Men’s live from 7:30pm 

Central Coast Crusaders: Leilani Mitchell

Australian basketball legend Leilani Mitchell has nothing left to prove in her career, but she continues to play the sport she loves with the Crusaders.

At 39-years-old she’s averaging 18.8 points, six assists and 5.1 rebounds for the fifth-seed squad heading into the second-last round of the regular season. 

Seen as an inspiration for many basketball fans and First Nations people, her impact will be felt on and off the court in this clash against the Hornets on Saturday. 

Sunday, Round 14: Central Districts Lions vs Forestville Eagles 

Women's live from 1:30pm | Men’s live from 3:15pm 

Central Districts Lions: Koen Sapwell

After finishing a stint in Germany, Koen Sapwel has returned to the NBL1 and has been putting up numbers for the Lions. 

In eight games for the club, he’s averaging 23.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the finals squad. 

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Already taking home a Foot Locker Player of the Week award, he has seamlessly fit into the Lions’ team and will be an x-factor in this game if they can conquer the second-placed Eagles on Sunday.