SEASON 2024/25 of the National Basketball League (NBL) is already approaching the halfway mark, and the race for a top six spot is as tight as ever.

Ten rounds into the fixture has seen record-breaking performances, dominant team displays and thrilling finishes as the NBL produces its most exciting season yet, with the championship race wide open as it stands.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be putting each side under the microscope, and the next side on the agenda is the Brisbane Bullets, who have stayed in touch with the top six and are a fighting chance of a postseason appearance.

Brisbane Bullets

Record as of Round 10 – four wins, six losses

How its happened

The Bullets have almost broken even from their 10 games, and have bounced back after a slow start following a promising pre-season showing. Brisbane has played the least games of any side in the NBL, and have enjoyed a favourable fixture when it comes to time between matches. Most of the team’s wins have come against poorly performing teams, so they know how to get the jobs done that they are supposed to. However, the Bullets would have liked an occasional win over a higher side in order to prove they can do some damage in the finals, and will be looking to do so in the coming weeks.

MVP – James Batemon

Although inconsistent, Batemon has been an offensive spark for the Bullets, showing an ability to light up the floor, especially in recent weeks. He is averaging 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, and his best has been as good as anyone in the NBL. He showed his remarkable scoring ability in Brisbane’s most recent match, posting a whopping 51 points to produce the highest scoring match of the season and the most since the return to the 40-minute era. He is one of the most talented scorers in the competition, and proven game-breaking when let off the chain.

Where to from here?

The Bullets have shown the capability to chalk out wins, but often their highest scoring games come hand in hand with poor defensive restriction, allowing the opposition to reach a winning score. Brisbane was looking strong in the pre-season, on the back of some excellent offensive performances, but have not been able to reach those heights consistently. Similarly, big man Tyrell Harrison was tipped for a breakout season but has plateaued over the first 10 rounds, so he will be looking to lift his output in the coming games to drag Brisbane into the top six.