A STARRING performance from Tom Wilson has led the Melbourne Tigers to a spot in the 2025 NBL1 South Men’s Grand Final after stunning the Knox Raiders with a three-point win in the preliminary final over the weekend.

The Tigers have put together an inspiring run throughout the postseason, first winning their elimination clash against the Ballarat Miners, then producing an 18-point comeback against the Kilsyth Cobras in the semis. This set up a blockbuster matchup against the Raiders, who have been the side to beat all season and entered the finals as the championship favourites.

Despite the absence of head coach Andrew Gaze, who is overseas covering the Australian Boomers at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, the Tigers showed they were up for the fight in the early stages of the match, although the second quarter dominance from the Raiders flipped things on its head.

Knox led by 10 points at the main break and then by the same margin at the final change. However, the Tigers stormed home with a 22-11 final period and Jack Purchase‘s clutch triple gave the Tigers the win and a spot in the decider.

Wilson showed his class on the big stage, putting together a season-defining performance when the stakes were at their highest, and dragging his side to a Grand Final berth as a result of his efforts.

Knox Raiders (86) def. by Melbourne Tigers (89)

Tom Wilson – 42 points, four rebounds, six assists, one steal

Playing all 40 minutes in a heroic performance, the Tigers skipper was inspirational with the season on the line, doing everything he could to get his side into the decider and putting together one of the best showings of his career.

After missing his first two shots, the Melbourne United signing was able to combine well with Purchase, finding his teammate on the perimeter for a nice three-pointer. Wilson got involved with a nice fadeaway jumper to open his account for the match, and it was a bucket that sparked his offensive production. The guard began to draw plenty of contact, and although he struggled with his conversion at the free throw line, it was still a reliable way of generating points.

A nice drive and finish in the lane showed his craft around the basket, while Wilson also demonstrated his long-range scoring with his first triple of the match. His offence helped the Tigers stay within two points at the first change and make it game on despite being in enemy territory.

Wilson continued to attack the paint and nailed a pair of layups to open the second quarter as Melbourne looked to stay in the contest. The guard then nailed a tough three-pointer while he was fading to show just how impressive his shotmaking ability could be, before backing it up with another triple a couple of minutes later to give the Tigers the lead. He again continued to form a dangerous partnership with Purchase as the pair assisted each other in the final minutes of the half, but their side still trailed.

Back to back triples from the skipper to start the second half dragged the Tigers back into the match in a crucial patch of play that instilled some belief in his side. Unfortunately, the Raiders were able to maintain their lead for most of the quarter, although a pair of free throws to Wilson late in the term kept the margin at eight points with one period to play.

With their season on the line, Wilson took over to start the final frame, scoring Melbourne’s first 13 points in the first three minutes of the quarter in a ridiculous display of scoring. Whether it was nailing a couple of three-pointers, driving inside and finishing at the cup or drawing contact and converting at the charity stripe, Wilson did a bit of everything and single-handedly brought the Tigers back into the match.

The Raiders cottoned on to Wilson’s game-breaking ability in the final seven minutes of the quarter, and often threw double-teams his way, which thwarted his shotmaking. However, he was able to still make the right passes and when he was blitzed by two Knox defenders in the final stages of the match, he found Purchase on the perimeter who nailed the open game-winner.

Wilson finished the contest with a game-high 42 points to go with four rebounds and six assists, all while shooting 14/21 from the field, 8/11 from behind the arc and 6/10 from the charity stripe. It was the ultimate captain’s performance and has continued Melbourne’s dream run into the big dance.