WNBL stars set to take on NBL1 Grand Finals

Feature image via: Picture It Sport Photography

The action will kick off with the NBL1 North as Logan Thunder and the Southern District Spartans go head-to-head in a Grand Final Series, kicking off tonight at 6:00pm AEST at Rowland Cowan Stadium with Game Two following on Saturday 5.30pm. If the Series is tied, the teams will move to a do-or-die game on Sunday at 2:00pm AEST.

In the South, Geelong United will look to hold onto their undefeated season against the Knox Raiders from 4:30pm AEST Saturday, 16 August at State Basketball Centre in a stand-alone do or die. 

The Central Conference will see the Sturt Sabers go head-to-head with the Woodville Warriors with two Adelaide Lightning stars playing off against each other. The game will be played from 5:30pm ACST at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Finally, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will face off against the Centre of Excellence (CoE) from 2.00pm AEST Saturday 16 August at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre. 

With multiple WNBL stars ready to claim the ultimate prize in state basketball, check out who to watch and how to watch all the action below.  

NBL1 South (VIC): Geelong United vs Knox Raiders 

Finishing first and second on the ladder respectively, seven current WNBL players will headline what will be a perfect preview for WNBL26.

Geelong United will feature five WNBL players as they look to become the second team in NBL1 history to go undefeated for an entire campaign. 

The Venom’s Jaz Shelley, Lilly Rotunno, Gemma Potter and Taylor Mole will be joined by Townsville Fire’s Dakota Crichton in their attempt to go 25-0. 

Related: Geelong’s pathway from grassroots through to the elite

On a 15-game winning streak of their own, the Knox Raiders will be led by Fire star Alicia Froling and Sydney Flames recruit Agnes Emma-Nnopu. Joined by former WNBL players Paige Bradley, Kiera Glover (nee Rowe), and Kristy Wallace, the South Grand Final will be a star-studded affair. 

GAME INFORMATION: 

Streaming: 4:30pm AEST via Kayo Freebies

Venue: State Basketball Centre 

Tickets: INTIX

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NBL1 Central (SA): Sturt Sabres vs Woodville Warriors 

It will be an Adelaide Lightning head-to-head as Sturt’s Tayla Brazel set to take on Woodville’s Jasmin Fejo for the coveted NBL1 Central title. 

Fejo will be gunning for her third state title, winning in 2022 with the West Adelaide Bearcats and 2024 with the Central District Lions. She had a career season this year, making the All-Star Five and winning the Defensive Player of the Year. 

On the other hand, former Development Player of the Year, Brazel will play in her second Grand Final (losing in 2023 to Norwood) at only 21 years of age. 

Related: Tayla Brazel's remarkable comeback from ACL horrors

With a heavy Lightning focus, one of the key players to watch will be Erin Phillips. Making her return to basketball this season, she will play the final game of her career in a do-or-die clash for a State Basketball Championship in her home state. 

Having made her professional debut with the Lightning back in 2002, this will be a full-circle moment for one of Australia’s greatest athletes. 

GAME INFORMATION: 

Streaming: 5:30pm ACST via Kayo Freebies

Venue: Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Tickets: TICKETEK 

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NBL1 North (QLD): Logan Thunder vs Southern District Spartans 

Looking to add a second Championship to her resume with Logan, club legend Mikaela Cann is hoping to create history. 

Averaging a conference-high 8.6 assists per game, the 31-year-old guard will lead Logan into their second Grand Final Series, winning the conference’s inaugural title back in 2021. The veteran guard signed with the Sydney Flames in late June. After a four-season hiatus to start a family, Cann has continued to dominate in the North and has earned her spot back in the WNBL.

For the Spartans, multiple former WNBL players round out their squad, including former Flames Kalani Purcell and Tiana Mangakahia, as well as former Fire player Jess McDowell-White. 

With only a handful of WNBL roster spots still up for grabs, could we see an NBL1 player make the leap from Grand Final hero to WNBL signing? 

The Grand Final Series starts on Friday 15 August from 6:00pm AEST, with game two following on Saturday 16 August from 5:30pm and if required, 2:00pm on Sunday 17 August. Watch each game live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

GAME INFORMATION: 

Streaming: Friday 6:00pm AEST, Saturday 5:30pm, and if required, Sunday 2:00pm via Kayo Freebies 

Venue: Rowland Cowan Stadium 

Tickets: SPARTANS BASKETBALL 

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NBL1 East (NSW & ACT) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Centre of Excellence (CoE) 

The future of the WNBL and the Opals will be on display this Saturday 16 August, with the historically successful Manly Warringah program taking on the next generation of superstars at the CoE. 

Led by former UC Capitals forward Alex Delaney and superstar import Taylor Wurtz, the Sea Eagles have been building their culture and success for multiple seasons, making their second Grand Final appearance in the NBL1 era (2023). 

Their winning environment has seen the growth of multiple young players progress into key pieces, particularly Kimberley Dickinson and Zoey Miller, who are both potential future WNBL development players. 

On the other side, a majority of the CoE side were the silver medallists from the U19 FIBA Women’s World Cup, looking to add another piece of silverware this calendar year. 

The one to watch will be Sitaya Fagan, currently holding a record 26 college offers. As one of Australia’s most prestigious prospects, the sky is the limit for 6’3” forward. And if she can pull off an NBL1 East Championship, the 17-year-old will be on pace to be an all-time Opals great. 

GAME INFORMATION: 

Streaming: 2:00pm AEST via Kayo Freebies 

Venue: Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre 

Tickets: BASKETBALL CONNECT

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