WITH each conference wrapping up their Grand Finals over the weekend, the National Basketball League (NBL)1 National Finals are set to get underway on the Sunshine Coast over the weekend.

There is plenty to look forward to with the best teams going head-to-head to become National Champions and be crowned the best NBL1 team in Australia. With some star-studded rosters set to compete, there should be some seriously high quality contests.

NBL1 National Finals

University of Sunshine Coast and Caloundra Indoor Stadiums
August 16-18

Who made it?

East
Men’s – Maitland Mustangs
Women’s – Newcastle Falcons

North
Men’s – Mackay Meteors
Women’s – Southern Districts Spartans

South
Men’s – Eltham Wildcats, Knox Raiders (2023 defending champions)
Women’s – Waverley Falcons, Bendigo Braves (2023 defending champions)

West

Men’s – Mandurah Magic
Women’s – Rockingham Flames

Central

Men’s – Forestville Eagles
Women’s – Central District Lions

The Raiders and Braves will be looking to defend their thrones from last year, and although neither side won the South championship this season, their National Finals victory from 2023 gave them automatic selection in 2024.

The Spartans also qualified as the North Women’s team after division champions Rockhampton Cyclones withdrew due to availability issues. The Spartans still have plenty of star power to keep an eye out for, and could surprise a few teams.

Home court advantage has played a key role in the past, so keep an eye out for the Spartans and the Meteors to get an extra boost from hosting the tournament in their home state. They should be adjusted to the warm weather better than some other sides and could thrive in the conditions. Both teams have had a week off to prepare too, so the northern sides are looking strong.

Given there were five of eight Grand Finals over the weekend that were decided by single-digit margins, there should be more close contests on the Sunshine Coast over the weekend.

Who are the key players?

In the men’s competition, look no further than NBL1 West star Joel Murray, who could be the best player of the tournament. He has shown the capability to take over matches at any given time, with an unmatched ability to find the bottom of the net.

After dropping 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the preliminary finals, he stepped up again in the big dance with 30 points and seven rebounds, delivering clutch play after clutch play, and should have a big impact against National rivals.

In the women’s competition, keep an eye on Rebecca Cole and the Waverley Falcons. The Falcons won 15 of their last 16 games and will enter the tournament as the in-form side of the country. Cole has proven to be built for the big stage across several competitions, and the National Finals are tailormade for her to stamp her authority.

Although she did not claim the Finals MVP – that award went to her teammate in Carley Ernst – Cole still had an excellent performance in the South decider, stuffing the stat sheet with 21 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals, and could do something similar against the best in the business.

The action starts on Friday afternoon with the first batch of games starting at 3:00pm AEST.