RECENTLY, the National Basketball League (NBL)1 announced the introduction of a league based on the eastern seaboard, as they expanded their work across Australia. With the Australian basketball system producing more talent than ever, it was a justified move, as the eastern league joins the NBL1 North, NBL1 South, NBL1 Central and NBL1 West as the competitions spread out across Australia.

The league will be made up of 12 teams from the eastern shores of Australia, with many coming from the Waratah 1 competition. The NBL1 has shown this competition allows teams to take their respective games to the next level, and the teams entering NBL1 East will be looking to do the same. In this series, we introduce you to the 12 sides who will be taking the court in the league’s inaugural season in 2022. Next up on the agenda are the Maitland Mustangs.

The Maitland Mustangs are the premier basketball side in their home town in New South Wales, with the Maitland Federation Centre home to the state’s Basketball Association.

With the sport growing at a community level on a monthly basis, the Mustangs will now become the primary avenue to young players taking the next step in their basketball career, by spending time in the new NBL1 East league.

The men’s side has been competing in the Waratah League for over two decades, with the Mustangs becoming a staple of New South Wales’ highest basketball competition. Despite some fluctuating form over the years, the Mustangs are often competitive and should deliver this trait again when they join the NBL1’s newest league.

Despite a number of strong seasons in their history, the Mustangs have not won a championship since the Waratah League’s inception in 2001. They have had multiple finishes in the top part of the ladder at the conclusion of the regular season, but are yet to take the next step in the club’s journey.

Their most recent campaign came in 2020, where the side finished second last in the standings after eight games of action, with a record of two wins and six losses. Their last finals appearance came the year before in 2019, where they finished third on the ladder with a record of 16 wins and six losses from their impressive 22-game campaign. Their quest for a championship was unfortunately cut short in the penultimate round, where they were defeated by the eventual champions.

Despite a drop in form in 2020, the Maitland Mustangs men’s side will be looking to return to the form that nearly delivered their elusive title in 2019.

The side has also entered a women’s side in the Waratah League, as they look to become one of the state’s premier basketball organisations.

In their most recent season in the league, the side finished third last, with five wins from their 22 matches, with plenty to improve on. The Mustangs will be looking to recapture their 2018 form, which saw the side deliver a top two finish on the ladder. However, their fate was much like their men’s side the following season, with the team unable to advance to the grand final.

With both their sides looking to return to their winning ways, the Maitland Mustangs will be sure to come out firing in a bid to make their mark in the NBL1 East’s first season in 2022.

Photo: Maitland Mercury