Must-Watch games for 2023 NBL1 East season

With the start of the 2023 NBL1 East around the corner, let’s look at some of the must-watch games.

Get a pen or open your digital calendar because it's time to mark these key games to watch for the 2023 NBL1 East season!

Women’s

March 11, Round 1: Sutherland Sharks vs Newcastle Falcons

Starting things off with an opening-day match-up, the Sutherland Sharks will host the Newcastle Falcons at 5:00pm AEDT on Kayo Freebies here. 

The player to keep an eye on is Newcastle’s Nicole Munger - who scored a league-record 53 points in a single game last season. She is continuing to improve game-by-game in her debut WNBL season with the UC Capitals. 

The NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Nicholson is currently flying high with the Townsville Fire on an 11-game win streak and will rejoin the Sharks after the WNBL Finals.

There is no better way to start the 2023 NBL1 season than Munger taking on the NBL1 East runners-up from last season. 

April 15, Round 5: Sutherland Sharks vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits 

The much anticipated Grand Finals re-match will take place in Round 5 with the Shark’s hosting the Albury-Wodonga Bandits at 5:00pm AEDT Live & Free on Kayo Freebies here.

While the Sharks lost NBL1 East All-Star Five member Vanessa Panousis to the Sydney Comets, they have gone far and wide to fill that absence with the signings of NBL1 North champion Aliza Fabbro. In addition to that, they have retained 14 points per game scorer Madeleine Norris. 

In the inaugural NBL1 East season, the Bandits took home the NBL1 East championship. They finished the season with three players on the East First Team -- Ai Yamada, Unique Thompson and Lauren Jackson, with the GOAT taking home the Conference MVP as well. 

The women’s Bandits first major move was bringing home Emma Mahady, who was the team MVP back in 2021. 

Last season Mahady played for the Diamond Valley Eagles, averaging 21 points in the NBL1 South. She spent the past WNBL season as a development player with the Sydney Flames and now is a practice player with the Bendigo Spirit.

We’ll see if the Bandits can bring back their core, in an attempt to go back-to-back, but the Sharks will be hungry for revenge at home on April 15. 

Men's

March 18, Round 2: Canberra Gunners vs Maitland Mustangs 

The NBL1 East men’s Grand Final re-match will be a must-watch game for Round 2. The championship was crowned with the 76-73 win going to the Gunners, in what will be remembered as an iconic finish to the first men’s NBL1 East Grand Final. 

The Finals MVP was awarded to the re-signed Glen Morison, who had an outstanding 28 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in the final match of the season. 

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Morison alongside the NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year James Toohey, Coles Express NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five member Dhal Fieg, William Mayfield and more have all re-signed to defend the title. 

While the Mustangs have retained the likes of Matt Grey and Will Cranston-Lown, everyone's eyes will be on new import Kevin Warren. 

Apart of the champion Chico Wildcats team in the NCAA Championship Tournament - West Regional, the 6’4 two-way guard will be a formidable force in the NBL1 East this coming season.

With a returning core plus a new star import, the Round 2 match-up will be an absolute must-watch game at 7:00pm AEDT Live & Free on Kayo Freebies here. 

June 3, Round 12: Sydney Comets vs Inner West Bulls

The Sydney Comets have come out of the gate firing, with their inaugural signing of NBL22 champion Iggy Mitchell. They continued by signing the Kings’ other development player Archie Woodhill and the 7’1 foot tall Johnny Crnogorac. 

Last season Crnogorac played for the Inner West Bulls, where he averaged six points and six rebounds. His first re-match with the Bulls will be spicy against dunk-of-the-year candidate Alex Higgins-Titsha and the Bulls’ new import Chris Bryant – the 6’8 forward from Flordia. 

Deep into the season, it will be a great test for the Comets' talent against a possible new superstar duo with the Bulls. 

Watch the game from 5:30pm AEDT Live & Free via Kayo Freebies here. 

Conference Expert picks

NBL1 East expert and co-host of the Shooting the Breeze podcast Jacinta Govind gave her picks for some must-watch East action.

March 11, Round 1: (women’s) Sydney Comets vs Penrith Panthers

Two teams entering NBL1 for the first time, and two teams who have named major signings for the season. 

WATCH THE GAME LIVE & FREE AT 7:30PM AEDT VIA KAYO FREEBIES HERE.

Comets will see Vanessa Panousis return to her junior club after playing last season with Sutherland Sharks. She is supported by the Sydney Flames DP and young gun Jada Crawshaw.

The Penrith Panthers, on the other hand, are coming in hot with a full roster boasting Meg Jefferson, who spent 3 years at college with the University of Virginia and a short time at the University of Hawaii. 

The Panthers have also signed Tahlia Tupea - possibly the biggest NBL1 East women's signing next to Lauren Nicholson. Expect this game to be high-tempo and sharp shooting from both sides. 

May 6, Round 8: Norths Bears vs Canberra Gunners

Norths have lost Iggy Mitchel to Sydney Comets, however, they managed to secure Anatoly Bose for another season and signed Lewis Holey, fresh from the NCAA with St. Francis (IL) Saints. Best of all, they have signed South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Junior Madut. 

WATCH THE GAME LIVE AND FREE AT 6:00PM AEDT VIA NBL1.COM.AU OR THE NBL1 APP 

The Gunners are reigning NBL1 East champions and they performed well against the rest of the best at the Coles Express NBL1 Nationals Finals. It looks like the Gunners have secured most of their roster except for Will Mayfield who will be heading to the NBL1 South with Mount Gambier (Pioneers), and Akech Aliir who is heading to the North Adelaide Rockets (NBL1 Central). 

It will be a great Litmus test for the Bears to determine how they match up with the reigning champs, and to see if the Gunners can continue to dominate despite missing two key players. 

The NBL1 East season starts next weekend on March 11, see the full fixture here.