Games of the Week Preview: Heritage Round

The Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 Heritage Round tips off this weekend, and 12 different games across Friday and Saturday will be live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

With a mixture of rematches, historical rivalries and more, check out the full fixture below. 

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Check out the previews for each Game of the Week below: 

Friday, Round 8: Northside Wizards vs Townsville Flames & Fire 

Women’s live from 6:00pm AEST

The women’s champions will host the Townsville Flames, a great way to start the weekend. 

Sitting atop the ladder at 10-0, the defending champions will be looking to continue their undefeated streak against the Flames. 

With a star trio of Saffron Shiels, Alex Fowler and Indy Bowyer, the 7-1 Flames have roared into the top three of the conference's ladder. Leaving the Wizards' defence a difficult Cerberus-like scoring machine to stop tonight. 

Saffron Shiels is on another level ??

Watch NBL1 North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/NgDkAi7dzy

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 11, 2024




Men’s live from 8:00pm AEST

It will be two star duos going head-to-head tonight as a 2023 champion will play his old team for the first time. 

Kyrin Galloway was a critical piece to Ipswich's title run last season as a two-way threat on the roster alongside his brother, Jaylin. Kyrin made the move to Townsville in the offseason, joining Harry Morris to form a dynamic pick-and-roll threat for opposing defences. 

On the other hand, Nathan Sobey and DJ Mitchell have created a remixed version of their 2023 championship side. Mitchell sits as a co-star to Sobey, with both NBL talents averaging 20 points per game for the Force. 

For fans of high-quality plays and ridiculous athleticism, this is the game to watch this weekend. 

Saturday, Round 9: Maitland Mustangs vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 

Women’s live from 5:00pm AEST

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles continue to fly through the East, winning eight of their nine games this season and only sitting behind the champion Bears and Lauren Jackson’s Bandits.

Retaining their championship-worthy core and the addition of Brooke Flowers leaves the Sea Eagles as a top contender once again after their runners-up finish last year. 

Alex Delaney is the @NBL1East Foot Locker Player of the Week! ?

Leading Manly to 7-0 after Round 6, she'll now take home a $200 Foot Locker Voucher ?? pic.twitter.com/YSUs0w7E0G

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 14, 2024




They’ll be hosted by the Mustangs, going up against the duo of Sydney Hunter and Shakera Reilly – averaging a combined 26 points per game. 

Can Manly maintain their record? Or will the Mustangs cause an upset? Find out Saturday night live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

 

Men’s live from 7:00pm AEST

The second-placed Maitland Mustangs will host the third-placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in what could be a Grand Final preview. 

Finishing 14th last season, Manly has had a heroic bounce-back season off the back of the recruitment of Jonas Harper and Mason Bragg joining second-year import Matthew Eldridge. 

They’ll be going up against arguably the title favourites in Maitland, who after back-to-back Grand Final losses are set up for their best season yet. With reigning MVP Will Cranstown-Lown and defensive menace Christian Little, averaging 2.5 steals a game.

 

Friday, Round 9: Mount Gambier Pioneers vs Geelong United 

Women’s live from 6:30pm AEST 

In the first of two double-headers live and free on Kayo Freebies in the NBL1 South, Mount Gambier will host Geelong in what will be a fantastic showing of women’s basketball. 

With Pioneers star Zitina Auokso on tour with the Opals, they’ll rely on Haliegh Reinoehl and Sherrie Calleia to make up the scoring difference.

They’ll have a difficult night ahead, with the duo of Shaneice Swain and Lasha Petree ready to test how well the Pioneers' defence can stack up against these two elite scorers. 

Lasha Petree caught FIRE ?

4?2? points and eight rebounds in a dominating win over Frankston ? pic.twitter.com/OIqt9IshOB

— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 20, 2024




Men’s live from 8:30pm AEST 

The second-placed Pioneers will host an entertaining United club in a premier match-up for NBL1 South fans. 

With Nick Marshall averaging nearly 25 points alongside former NBL1 East champion Akech Allir, Mount Gambier has solidified itself as a championship contender once again with a 9-3 record. 

They’ll go up against the talented Geelong United, featuring Top 10 Play mainstays Latrell Johns and DeMarcus Gatlin. With the team averaging just under 80 points per game, the Pioneers’ defence will be the area to watch. 

 

Saturday, Round 9: Diamond Valley Eagles vs Eltham Wildcats

Women’s live from 6:00pm AEST

A historic rivalry in Victorian basketball, the Eagles will host the Wildcats on Saturday night to crown the champions of the Northern suburbs. 

After multiple seasons in college, 2019 Eltham Wildcats star Abbey Ellis has returned home – this time suiting up for the Eagles. Scoring 40 points against Ballarat and Bendigo last round, Ellis alongside Gemma Potter will be a devastating combination for the second half of the season. 

Against the defensively proven Wildcats, Rebecca Pizzey will lead the charge alongside a talented group of scorers, featuring the Foot Locker Player of the Week Erin Riley. 

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Men’s live from 8:00pm AEST

Two-time NBL champion Angus Glover will be tasked with guarding 2023 NBL1 West superstar Bryton Hobbs in what should be a mouth-watering match-up.

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A scoring machine with the Perth Redbacks last season, his game has translated to a new state and will now have to go up against one of the country’s best defenders in Glover. 

Alongside Glover will be Owen Foxwell, who is averaging career-high points per game in his fourth season with the club. 

 

Friday, Round 10: Cockburn Cougars vs Willetton Tigers 

Women’s live from 6:30pm AWST 

In a Grand Final rematch, the champions Cockburn Cougars will host the Tigers in a must-watch clash on Friday night. 

The Cougars are third on the ladder and have shown healthy growth this season. As two young stars in Steph Gorman and Jewel Williams have blossomed into leading scorers – putting up 17 points a game each in 2024.

Alongside Daniel Raber and Alex Ciabattoni, Cockburn will be a tough challenge for the visiting Tigers. 

Willetton has had multiple close losses this season, losing their past two games by eight points combined. The Tigers' three leading scorers, Brcaninovic, Archer and Jacobs are all under the age of 25 – showing the future potential on display in this clash. 

 

Men’s live from 8:30pm AWST

The 10-2 Willetton Tigers are set for a championship run this season and will have to get through the Cougars’ home crowd to continue their momentum.

With Marshall Nelson and Michael Dupree both making the move to the Tigers, the team has elevated into a title contender after their Semi-Final loss last season. 

The Cougars were also busy this offseason, bringing in NBL talent Rhys Vague – he’s been a shining light for the club, averaging 18 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. 

While the team has a 3-10 record heading into Round 10, they will still be a challenge for the Tigers' defence as Cockburn’s high-powered offence averages over 88 points per game. 

 

Saturday, Round 10: Forestville Eagles vs Sturt Sabres

Women’s live from 6:15pm ACST

In a battle for the Sharon Simons / Monique Bowley Cup, the Eagles and Sabres will go head-to-head to claim bragging rights this weekend. 

Third and fourth on the ladder respectively, this game will be a showing of future talent as both teams feature Central stars under the age of 25. 

Whilst Isobel Borlase tours with the Opals in China, Eagles fans will still be entertained by Jess Simons and Madison Freer as the pair of under-23s will be ready to fill the absence of the WNBA draft pick.  

Forestville’s main concern will be Tayla Brazel, the reigning Best Defensive Player and All-Star Five contender who will bring the heat on both ends of the court – averaging 16 points and over three blocks and steals combined per game. 

 

Men’s live from 8:15pm ACST

Playing for the Phil Bauer and Arthur Newley Cup, Forestville and Sturt will play once again for glory.

First and second respectively on the ladder, the two title contenders have not only the Cup, but home court advantage to fight for. 

Greg Mays is having another outstanding season for the Eagles, putting up a team-high 21.9 points per game alongside Daniel Johnson and Adam Doyle. 

They’ll face off against reigning conference MVP Jordan Forbes and Adelaide 36ers star on the rise Jacob Rigoni, in what will be a must-watch for South Australian basketball fans.