THE MELBOURNE Tigers delivered one of the most remarkable wins of the 2025 NBL1 South Men’s season in their semi-final clash against the the Kilsyth Cobras over the weekend, coming back from 18 points down to keep their season alive in memorable fashion.

After winning their elimination final against the Ballarat Miners the week before, the Tigers were matched up against the Kilsyth Cobras in the second week of the post-season. The Cobras were fresh off a thumping at the hands of the Mt. Gambier Pioneers, but had secured the double chance, and also had home court advantage at Kilsyth Sports Centre on Saturday night.

After a scrappy first half, the Cobras got going in the third quarter, jumping out to a double-digit lead and getting the crowd behind them with some potent offence. The Tigers found themselves trailing by as much 18 points in the third quarter, and faced a 14-point deficit at the final change. However, Melbourne showed plenty of heart in the final 10 minutes, erasing the margin to trail by just one point with less than 10 seconds on the clock, before Harry Froling executed the inbounds play with a layup that gave his side a one-point win.

Although Froling will be remembered for his match-winning basket, Tom Wilson was just as important in the Tigers produced the unbelievable comeback, with the multi-sport athlete showing why he is built for big games.

Kilsyth Cobras (83) def. by Melbourne Tigers (84)

Tom Wilson – 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, one steal

Wilson was instrumental in keeping the Tigers’ season alive, with the Melbourne United signing continuing to thrive in the postseason as Melbourne keeps rolling through its impressive run in the finals.

He started the match by drawing contact and earning a trip to the free throw line, something he has found a knack for throughout 2025, although he was only able to split the two shots. Wilson then demonstrated his passing nous, finding Froling for a nice layup before dishing out to Jack Purchase on two separate occasions as the Tigers got off to a red-hot start. The former Collingwood Magpie was able to get involved for a nice layup himself a few minutes later, although the Tigers trailed by two at the main break.

He was unable to find the bottom of the net himself in the second quarter – which proved to be a scrappy affair for both teams – but his smarts with ball in hand saw Wilson combine well with Froling once again to find the big man open on the cut to the basket, where he finished promptly.

It did not take long for the 28-year-old to get going in the second half, nailing a driving layup in the opening minute of the third quarter. Both he and the Tigers suffered a bit of an offensive drought for much of the term, which allowed the Cobras to jump out to a big lead, but Wilson’s ability to draw contact late in the frame was vital in keeping Melbourne in the game. He was fouled on a three-point attempt and a driving layup which was an easy five points for the team, before converting an and-one in the dying stages of the quarter to cut the margin back to 14 points at the final change in a crucial burst.

Wilson kept drawing contact in the fourth quarter, with the defence unable to guard him legally and allowing him to keep Melbourne’s score ticking over at the charity stripe. The Tigers still trailed by seven points with a minute to go, before Wilson sparked them with a driving layup to cut the margin to five points. He then recorded a clutch steal to keep his team’s momentum going, and when Purchase was fouled in transition and knocked down the free throws, the margin was back to three.

Another driving layup to Wilson brought the margin back to just a single point with 38 seconds on the clock, and when the Cobras turned it over down the other end and the Tigers called a timeout, Melbourne had its biggest chance to win it. Wilson was tasked with the inbounds pass, and found Froling, who nailed the backdoor cut and finished at the hoop in what was a match-winning pass.

Wilson finished the contest with 24 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, shooting 6/16 from the field and a near-perfect 11/12 from the free throw line. He remains integral to Melbourne’s title hopes and showed why he is one of the best players in the NBL1 South Men’s competition.