MANDURAH Magic import Joel Murray staked his claim as one of the best National Basketball League (NBL)1 players in the country, leading his side to the West Men’s championship after defeating the Willetton Tigers in a thriller.

Heading into Saturday night’s game at RAC Arena, both the Magic and the Tigers had to grind out hard-fought wins in the preliminary finals, and each of the teams demonstrated the the ability to close out tight games. The third and fourth placed teams both outlasted the top-two in the postseason with some impressive form, so the Grand Final was shaping as one to remember.

Both Mandurah and Willetton fired on the offensive end in the first quarter, with the former taking a two-point lead into the opening change. The Tigers built from there, containing the opposition and taking a 12-point buffer into the final break. Given how the match had played out, it looked like a match-winning margin. However, the Magic produced a barnstorming final 10 minutes of play, coming from the clouds to outscore the opposition 28-12 in the fourth, hitting the lead in the final 16 seconds and holding on for a thrilling two-point win to take out the title.

There is no doubt that the Magic would not have claimed the championship if not for the clutch performance of Murray, who was otherworldly down the stretch.

Willetton Tigers (89) def. by Mandurah Magic (91)

Joel Murray – 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal

The 2024 NBL1 West Men’s MVP was always going to be a central figure in the off-season, and on the big stage, embracing the pressure of performing on the big stage and dragging the Magic to a championship.

As expected, Murray was the central point of focus for Mandurah on the offensive end, and had been solid over the first three quarters, producing a timely made basket on the eve of three-quarter time to keep his team within striking distance.

With the Magic’s season on the line, Murray put the team on his back in the final term, looking to be more aggressive with ball in hand to try and reduce the margin as Mandurah’s title hopes slipped away.

On nearly every possession, the ball went through his hands, pouring in 10 points in the final period to claw his team back into the game. The deficit slowly, but surely vanished, and the Magic were within striking distance in the final stages of the game.

With 16 seconds on the clock and Mandurah trailing by one point, Murray took the responsibility and drove to the basket and finished truly to give the Magic the lead. It was another display of the defence being unable to stay in front of him and the raw talent he possesses when it comes to scoring the basketball.

The Tigers could not answer, and Murray nailed a free throw late in the piece to put his side up by two, the eventual final margin.

He finished with 30 points (13/30 FG) and seven rebounds in a clutch performance that will be remembered for his match-winning plays down the stretch.