We're closing out season four with the full finals wrap. We break down the grind and atmosphere of the Adelaide Nationals, run through the Waratah Finals — youth divisions, standout MVPs, and that wild men's finish — and shout out the voices and media crew that carried finals coverage. Then we get into NBL1 East at Nationals with Norths, Bankstown, and Canberra on the big stage, and ask the real question: did the conference prove itself nationally? We wrap with league structure and financial uncertainty heading into 2027, our standout memories from the season, a quick jersey sidebar, and final thank-yous to the East community.

Season 4 Sign-Off: Adelaide Nationals, Waratah Finals & NBL1 East on the Big Stage

We break down both grand finals and look ahead to Nationals in Adelaide. Gem Hudson joins to unpack Bankstown's championship poise over Manly Warringah — composure, bench trust, defensive discipline, and why settling for threes cost Manly the paint. Then James sets the stakes for North Bears vs Sutherland Sharks: North's second-half comeback, Iggy Mitchell's response, the tactical swings, Tyler Robertson's shot-making, and why Fabijan Krslovic earned MVP despite a quiet box score. Plus early 2027 offseason coaching moves, commentary craft, spotting rising women's talent, and a tribute to North's behind-the-scenes builders.

NBL1 East 2026 Championship RECAP - featuring Gem Hudson and James Mullan (Waratah on VCR)

PF review GF Preview NBL1 East 2026 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Bankstown Bruins (W) Norths Bears vs. Sutherland Sharks (M)

Season 4 Episode 19 - Fourth Times a Charm? PF review and GF Preview NBL1 East 2026

NBL1 East discussion points:

Grand Final tickets on sale

Single game tickets $20 for adults, $12 child/concession

Double-header $35 for adults, $20 child/concession

Media accreditation also available

Regular season accreditation won’t get you in!



Men’s Finals

Semi-Finals:

Manly Warringah lost to Central Coast 71-73

Sutherland defeated Maitland 100-76



Preliminary Finals:

Illawarra v Sutherland

Norths v Central Coast



Women’s Finals

Semi-Finals:

Centre of Excellence defeated Albury-Wodonga 77-69

Manly Warringah defeated Newcastle 90-78



Preliminary Finals:

Norths v Manly Warringah

Bankstown v Centre of Excellence



Season 4 Episode 18: Meeting again for the first time - SF recap and PF preview

 * Award Nominees and Voting Process
 * QF and EF recaps for Men and Women
 * SF previews 

Season 4 Episode 17: NBL! East Awards - What do you want?!

NBL1 East first round of the Finals! 

Men's finals:

Qualifying Finals:

Illawarra (1st, 16-4) v Manly Warringah (4th, 14-6)

Norths (2nd, 16-4) v Sutherland (3rd, 14-6)

Elimination Finals:

Centre of Excellence (5th, 13-7) v Central Coast (8th, 10-10)

Canberra (6th, 12-8) v Maitland (7th, 12-8)

Women’s Finals

Qualifying Finals:

Norths (1st, 20-0) v Centre of Excellence (4th, 15-5)

Manly Warringah (2nd, 18-2) v Bankstown (3rd, 16-4)

Elimination Finals:

Albury-Wodonga (5th, 13-7) v Hornsby Ku-ring-gai (8th, 10-10)

Newcastle (6th, 13-7) v Hills (7th, 11-9)



Season 4 Episode 16 - One Bite of The Cherry (Qualifying and Elimination Finals Preview)

 * Men’s competition
   * Newy Falcons are tied for the longest winning streak in NBL East men’s division
   * Commentator shout outs
     * Ladder and placings
   * Davo Hickey starts for LA Lakers in the summer league

Women’s comp

 * Hornsby and Hills on the berth of making their finals debut,
 * Maitland sprinting to finals
 * Munger celebrates 100 NBL1 games
 * Darcy Rees from Illawarra Hawks commits to the Sydney Flames

EGG GOTW - Sutherland vs. Illawarra (men)

Season 4 Episode 15: "Clutchinson" featuring Waratah on VCR

NBL1 East discussion points:

Men’s Teams Stumbling To Finals

Women: Hills all but slam the door shut on the chasing pack

Players Qualifying For Finals With DNPs

MEGABOWL. Norths v Manly this Friday night.

EGG GOTW - Hills Hornets v Maitland Mustangs Women



Season 4 Episode 14: The horse that killed the Hornets nest

Mammoth episode after another entertaining Round 11 of NBL1 East and as always, there was plenty to discuss. 

NBL1 East discussion points:

* No additional teams qualifying for finals…yet!

* Effect of players leaving for college on teams

* NBL1 East games keep glitching

* Player posting on Insta taping her teammates ankles before a game - how are team physios not league mandated!?

* Norths pink round jersey auction - three women’s jerseys already sold for $250 apiece!

EGG GOTW: Canberra Gunners vs. Inner West Bulls 

Follow us on instagram and DM us your thoughts! 



Season 4 Episode 13: "Big dogs gotta eat" 

NBL1 East discussion points:

 * Congratulations to our first teams to mathematically qualify for finals
 * More late signings!
 * EGG GOTW - Sutherland Sharks v Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Spiders Women

Season 4 Episode 12 - Fangs and Fins

Jacinta Govind (@jacinta_govind) · Zencastr

Jacinta Govind (@jacinta_govind)

East Got Game is the unofficial podcast covering the NBL1 East Basketball League. Join co-hosts Jacinta Govind and Lachy France as they get nerdy with game reviews, previews and player inteviews to showcase the beasts from the East. 

East Got Game - An Unofficial NBL1 East podcast