Games of the Week Preview: July 26-28

The first full weekend of NBL1 Finals action is underway on Friday night, going all the way through to Sunday. 

Check out the full fixture below: 

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Check out our preview of the must-watch players and tune in live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

Semi Finals: South Adelaide Panthers vs Forestville Eagles

Streaming on Friday, July 26 8:00pm ACST live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

All eyes will be on newly-minted Woollacott Medallist and Best Defensive Player, Alex Starling. Taking home two major awards, everyone will be watching to see if he can live up to his regular-season standards against Forestville. 

Alex Starling was on a mission against Central Districts ?

He finished with 36 Points, 18 Rebounds & 6 assists

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After losing to the Sturt Sabres in last season’s Semi Final, can the Panthers advance past last season’s finish, and beat their former teammate in Daniel Johnson on Friday night? 

Qualifying Final: Warwick Senators vs Cockburn Cougars 

Streaming on Friday, July 26 7:00pm AWST live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

In the first Finals game of the NBL1 West, two National Finalists will go head-to-head once again – this time for a spot in the Preliminary Final.

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With each team featuring a First Team member, it will be a head-to-head clash of the MVP runner-up in Chloe Forster and WNBL star Alex Ciabattoni. 

Will the reigning champions be able to take down the dynamic pair of Stacey Barr and Forster? Tune in Friday night! 

Semi Final: Ballarat Miners vs Dandenong Rangers

Streaming on Saturday, July 27 7:30pm AEST live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

After an embarrassing 39-point loss to Frankston, the Ballarat Miners have their second chance to advance into the Preliminary Finals.

Luke Rosendale four-point play opportunity ?

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Ballarat will be looking towards Luke Rosendale to elevate his team’s post-season hopes against Dandenong. Being held to 5/16 from the floor, the South East Melbourne Phoenix Development Player will have to bring his NBL-level shooting and playmaking to take Ballarat further into the post-season. 

Semi Finals: Northside Wizards vs North Gold Coast Seahawks

Streaming on Saturday, July 27 6:00pm AEST live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

While Erin Bollmann will be tasked with the Miela Goodchild assignment, the 2024 NBL1 North MVP, AJ Johnson will have their hands full with the rest of the Seahawks. 

Averaging 21 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and two steals, their impact on both ends will be one of North Gold Coast’s major concerns heading into Saturday night. 

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Being required to score as well as they defend, it will be a battle of stamina against conference superstar Mikaela Ruef. 

Semi Finals: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Central Coast Crusaders 

Streaming on Sunday, July 28 1:00pm AEST live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

Australian basketball legend Lei Mitchell has brought her Central Coast Crusaders into the Finals for the first time during the NBL1 East. 

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Averaging 17.8 points, 6.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds this season, the 39-year-old Opals legend will be going up against the future of the NBL1 East – the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. 

Runners-up in the Grand Final last season, their squad is a complete team effort – with six players averaging over nine points but no one averaging more than 15. 

Can the star power of Mitchell and Mikaela Dombkins overcome the Sea Eagles? We’ll find out on Sunday afternoon.