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Season 3 Episode 21: NBL1 East 2025 Grand Final Preview with Caitie Jones and Jason Cadee
32 Plays5 days ago
Headlines from the NBl1 East 2025 Preliminary finals
MVP Awards annouced
NBL1 East 2025 Grand Final Preview with Caitie Jones and Jason Cadee
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Episode Overview
00:00:40
Speaker
Welcome everyone to another episode of East Got Game where we give you the X's, the O's and the insights to the NBL1 East competition. Thanks for joining us tonight live on YouTube and Instagram and Facebook now that it's connected.
00:00:57
Speaker
And remember you can subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram and Facebook at East Got Game. or you can continue to find our episodes on your preferred streaming platforms.
Preliminary Finals Recap and Grand Final Preview
00:01:11
Speaker
On this week's episode, we'll be covering, well, the preliminary finals that were and some of the shakeups that we saw in the results. And we'll be looking forward to the grand final this weekend.
00:01:24
Speaker
ah Let's do a quick check-in though, Lockie, how are you this week? Can you believe that another NBL 1A season is almost done? It is almost done. um yeah Yeah, 168 games in the bank and one to go on both the men's and women's side.
00:01:42
Speaker
Absolutely mammoth season, but the big one still to come. Yeah, big one to still to come. The big dance in Penrith.
Encouragement for Grand Finals Attendance
00:01:53
Speaker
And apologies, I did put on our East Scott game Instagram stories for everyone to get down to Canberra and support the East. And it was a ah slide for the East Grand Finals and not Nationals. sorry But a little doing do go to Canberra as well. Do go to Canberra as well. definite Definitely go to Canberra as well. Like we've got to...
Commentators and Merchandise Announcements
00:02:14
Speaker
we've got to pack tuggeron on stadium we've got to get everyone from the east turning up to canberra to support the nationals and show why the east does it best because you know we may not get this opportunity again so may as well make the most of it am i right 100 now we also need to say some congratulations to you lochie because you've been announced as one of the commentators for the nbl1 east grand final for the women Snaps to you.
00:02:41
Speaker
Well done. Thank you, Squin. Yes, my ah third grand final in four years, which I'm um pretty happy about. And yes, selected as a play-by-play commentator alongside Lockie Beavis from Maitland. So the boys, we got it on lockdown.
00:02:59
Speaker
but please put that on a shirt. I want a shirt of you guys, a picture of you guys commentating. Put it on lockdown underneath. I mean, we're just full of ideas here. We've given them away for free.
00:03:11
Speaker
We are. and But congratulations also to you, Squin, because you're holding it down up north. You got selected for the women's grand final up there. I sure did. Thank you kindly, Lockie. Thank you. Yes, I'm very lucky to be doing the NBL 1 North Women's Final again.
00:03:28
Speaker
I was lucky to do it last year ah and yet doing it again this year, Southern District Spartans versus the Logan Thunder.
Excitement and Highlights of the Finals
00:03:37
Speaker
After, i was also very lucky to commentate the preliminary final or semifinal between Logan and Cairns on the weekend just go that we're going to double overtime.
00:03:47
Speaker
Earned your cape. Yeah, that's right. I was like, to should we start charging overtime on our invoices for these double overtimes as well? But ah yeah, look at us covering the East on the podcast and on the commentary.
00:04:04
Speaker
I consider myself to be bilingual in North and East now. Love it. Love it. But yeah, big weekends ahead for us. But yeah, and if you're listening east, north, wherever, remember, go and pack your venues, pack the stadiums, go and support the NBL 1 finals on this weekend. I believe South is having their final this weekend as well.
00:04:26
Speaker
Yeah, it's all it's all lined up. i think it's, you know, well, they've all got to get it done by nationals on the 28th, 29th of the 31st. So yeah, it's all all happening all around the country.
00:04:38
Speaker
Very exciting indeed.
Manly Warringah Women's Team Analysis
00:04:40
Speaker
And speaking of, we let's look at some of the headlines from the preliminary finals. Take it away, Lockie. Well, manly Warringah women, they just keep doing it by committee.
00:04:53
Speaker
Taylor Wirtz and Kim Dickinson, 21 apiece to lead the way, but then Miller and Bullman each in double figures. And Alex, any any team that can get a win with Alex Delaney only having to score eight points, that's a scary proposition.
00:05:07
Speaker
And that is exactly what Manly Warringah did to the Newcastle Falcons. It was cold, calculated, elite ball movement from start to finish. And...
00:05:19
Speaker
as I've said before about Manly Warringah, you just can't let them get a little bit ahead because you won't be able to pull it back. And they just kept chipping. They just kept building the lead as the game went on, living on quick runs here and there and ended up rolling to an 89, 67 victory in a game I went to.
00:05:39
Speaker
was ah It was, uh, it was, it was packed there at the nest. The, uh, the Manly Warringah men's team were all there standing right behind the bench. Uh, Giving it large, definitely in good spirits with the Manly Warringah boys.
00:05:56
Speaker
But it was a very, very good atmosphere up there. um And I mean, Newcastle had four players in double figures of their own. Nicole Munger had 17, 10 and seven, but shot seven seven of 23 from the field. So it kind of went how we talked last week. You know, Munger's probably going to get in numbers, but Manly are going to make it very, very difficult. And that's exactly how it panned out.
00:06:22
Speaker
So Manly will ring up into their second grand final in three seasons and looking to get their first East championship. is This is it for them. This is it.
00:06:34
Speaker
It's got to happen this time. I know we said that last season, but, you know, we spoke to Josie Borman in our opening episode for season three of East Scott Game, and she said as well, you know, this is it.
00:06:45
Speaker
They've got to take that mental edge from not succeeding or not becoming the champions the last couple of seasons to get them over the line this time. Definitely. And they'll be doing it against...
00:06:58
Speaker
Not the Norse Bears,
Center of Excellence's Road to the Championship
00:07:00
Speaker
but the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, who defeated Norse at the Bear Cave minus Emilia Darkic, 74-63.
00:07:12
Speaker
i And again, team performance, Fagan, Aleknovic, Smith, Izzy Smith, Zara Russell, all in double figures. Zara Russell leading the way with 18 points, playing the full 40 minutes.
00:07:28
Speaker
um Got over the top of them in the final quarter, I believe, late on. you know we were We had it out on our phones whilst the um Manly game was going on. It was 64-61 COE, and then it was seventy four sixty three is how it panned out. So really ran away with it there at the last. So probably a lot closer than the scoreline suggests. But look, it's a preliminary final. it doesn't mean youre if you win by one or you win by 50.
00:07:55
Speaker
You just got to get to the get to the championship game. Yeah, the COE winning the last quarter 10 points to 20 and going on a 10-point run really to bring to bring home that win.
00:08:08
Speaker
ah ah Despite both teams shooting really poorly from, well, not poorly, but North was shooting very poorly from the three-point line. They shot 13.33 for the game, which is quite unusual for them.
00:08:23
Speaker
But a heavy focus on points in the paint ah But yeah, looking at COE, they went on that 10 point run in the fourth quarter and 14 of their 20 points in the fourth quarter were
COE's Young Talent and MVP Predictions
00:08:37
Speaker
in the paint. So they were obviously doing something right, everything clicking at the right time and getting people in the right spots to score.
00:08:46
Speaker
And i actually i actually had a friend go to this game and he said that Aspen Kreis, despite um only having eight points and six rebounds, was still a decent out you know output, top four or five from the field, but he was very impressed with her. So even though she wasn't one of those four in double figures, the other starter coming up big.
00:09:07
Speaker
Yeah, and we've got to remind ourselves too, I think the likes of Kreis, but I know definitely Aleknovits. She only represented Australia for the first time this year at the U15 Oceania Cup. So she's still really young.
00:09:22
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's the thing. that A lot of these yeah players coming in later, you you kind of forget just how young they are because usually the stars of the COE are your second or even two-and-a-half-year players.
00:09:36
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. That's right. And I mean, we forget how young Sataya Fagan is given her successes. ah She's only just played at her last 18s Nationals this year.
00:09:47
Speaker
So, yeah, she's still got lots of room to grow as well. And I did i do recall, I think, last episode when we were talking about the awards, the NBL One East Awards for 2025,
00:09:59
Speaker
saying that Fagan just needs to now get a finals MVP award to kind of almost get a three-quarter sweep on this season. And she's certainly lighting herself up for it so far now that they're going to the big dance.
00:10:15
Speaker
Well, I mean, she's yeah, if if they get the win, she's a big chance. She'll she'll be a big part of the reason why. but Just now they like ah almost made me eat my words with their performance in this preliminary final, having four players come out big. But Manly Warringah people, that that's Squin saying that Fagan's got to get finals MVP, not me. So yeah you say you see me at Penrith? It's not on me.
00:10:41
Speaker
as No, no, I will take full responsibility for that. ah But, yeah, and, I mean, that's not to say that. On the other side of that, I have said, i think last episode,
00:10:54
Speaker
Certainly can't remember was the episode before, but definitely last episode I said, I know that I've tipped Newcastle to win the championship in the women's at the start of the season, but it was very clear going into that preliminary final. was like, nah, this is Manly's.
00:11:08
Speaker
Manly's to get. Yeah. hundred 100% is. no There was no 1997 ARL
Men's Preliminary Games Analysis
00:11:15
Speaker
grand final Newcastle upset in that game. It was not better than Lego. No.
00:11:21
Speaker
and yeah ah And what other headlines have you got for us for the pre preliminary final round? You're going to make me talk about the men's competition. I don't want to do that. Oh, not the men's.
00:11:35
Speaker
Not the men's. I forget men play basketball too. It's not that it's a men's basketball thing. It's a Sutherland thing. But we'll stop um so we'll start with the Illawarra COE game because we were wondering about CJ Moran and congratulations to him. Had some highlights over there at the Asia Cup for Syria, which was...
00:11:53
Speaker
Very nice to see. and um Step up Kyle Leslie with 19 points and five rebounds, seven of 13 from the field in 32 minutes or 31 minutes of action. And Illawarra just, I mean, COE won the fourth quarter 30 to 24 to reel it in a bit.
00:12:13
Speaker
But Illawarra coming away with a 98-89 win. And wouldn't you know, Todd Blanchfield, 27-15, and Kobe McDowell-White coming up a rebound short of a triple-double with 19-9-11.
00:12:26
Speaker
and eleven So they're all-stars really coming to play in the big moments. And, I mean, that's what you expect from your NBL players is to, you know,
00:12:37
Speaker
come up big in the big games. I mean, Lockie Dent and Matt Mims, both in double figures as well. And it's been, you know, you need your big names to step up, but then sometimes you just need one extra player.
00:12:51
Speaker
know, it was Sophie Brennan in the 2024 Women's Grand Final. It was Casey Ardern a few years ago in that Grand Final week or it was Kyle Leslie on this occasion for ah for Illawarra men.
00:13:04
Speaker
Yeah, I love those stories come finals time when there's someone that, you know, has always been a solid player, but, you know, usually in the middle of the bench rotation that just gets a chance in the final for whatever reason and just takes the baton and runs with it and just completely plays out of their skin. That's the kind of finals basketball I really like is those fairy tale stories. So, yeah.
00:13:27
Speaker
Yeah, big props there to Kyle Leslie for having a monster game. He shot at 54% as well. And what I really liked is that he was obviously playing well with his 19 and 5, shooting at 54% overall.
00:13:41
Speaker
And the coach left him out there because obviously saw it was working. and So you've got to play what's working. It doesn't always mean that you've got to play, um you know, a certain five or whatever like that.
00:13:55
Speaker
So-and-so needs this many minutes. No. Whoever, the people that need the minutes are the ones that are going to get you the win at the end of the day. hundred percent I mean, like to the point, yeah, like Toby Campbell started and only played seven minutes, but then even Brad Ballinger only played five and a half minutes off the bench, which you'd expect him to see a lot more playing time. But if Leslie's if leslie's hot and ah whatevers whatever they're doing is working, just roll with it.
00:14:19
Speaker
But, um I mean, you've got to shout out the COE boys. Six players in double figures, Nash Walker and Che Brogan. They've been huge in the late stage of the season. They came up big again just – I mean, running into the buzzsaw that is that Illawarra team that when they put it all together, very, very difficult to stop.
00:14:37
Speaker
And they are off to Penrith for a grand final where they will face the Canberra Gunners, the Macquarie Pass Melee, as I are have taken to calling it.
00:14:52
Speaker
Macquarie Pass Melee. Is that something that you have just kind of come up with just for this occasion? Yes, yes, yes. good. that Although, you know, game names, they stick.
00:15:05
Speaker
But yes, Canberra, AR, came out of the blocks firing 25 to 11 first quarter. Dismal in the middle half of the game. Across the second and third quarters, Sutherland owned that period with 31 to 19 in the quarter 27 to 16 in the third quarter. I'll tell what.
00:15:23
Speaker
and twenty seven to sixteen in the third quarter tell you what Whatever Pete Herrick said to his boys at the end of the third quarter, he put the boot up them on the defensive end because they gave up seven points in the fourth quarter. Just seven. They won the fourth quarter 24 seven.
00:15:43
Speaker
to get an 84-76 win. They opened the fourth quarter, I think, on a 17-2 run, I think, which I think is identical to what Comets opened the third quarter with in the semifinal against Sutherland.
00:15:59
Speaker
On that occasion, Sutherland had time to reel it back in. Not this time.
00:16:05
Speaker
Yeah, it looks like a phenomenal game, especially given that 24-7 final quarter and you know the likes of Tui and Mayfield just coming alive, ah just getting whatever needed to get done. Obviously hitting some big shots from the three-point line as well as the Gunners shot 55.56% from the three-point line in that fourth quarter alone.
00:16:30
Speaker
So they're really digging deep. But this is something we talk about the Gunners a lot, I feel like, over the three seasons of EGG. They just really know how to secure a win in the fourth quarter, whether they're up by a comfortable margin or if they're, you know, just perhaps down by a slight margin.
00:16:51
Speaker
They always find a way. And they had their work cut out for them seriously in this game. It would have felt so satisfying to get the win in the end. Yeah, I mean, they were they were down by, what, nine after after three quarters. So they yeah they they did have to actually reel it in.
00:17:08
Speaker
yeah And Tui, Mayfield and Morrison all came out, got it done. And they had a lot of players chipping in with a ah few points
Game Strategies and Defensive Tactics
00:17:18
Speaker
around the way. And Campenda, interesting, he only had two field goal attempts, but had 10 rebounds and five assists.
00:17:25
Speaker
So... You know, sometimes your role just is what it is on the night. And for Sutherland, the big three, almost the big four, Hutchison, Noy, Spurgeon, Jamison, all in double figures. But, I mean, 17 points off the bench ah is ah it's not too dissimilar to what... ah
00:17:51
Speaker
Canberra put up, but ah Taylor Young, just an off night, only four field goal attempts and didn't finish for the point, even though he had five assists. But usually, know, he's a guy who shoots 45% from three-point range for the season. So he was probably one that, you know, Canberra would have, know, eyed off as, you know, don't let him get open from deep. And, you know it ends up he only had two three-point attempts for the entire game.
00:18:18
Speaker
And how's Lockie Hutchinson's stat line, though? 17 points, four rebounds, six assists, six steals. And six of nine from two-point range and five of five at the line. You know, he did have a he had a few turnovers, but, mean, still, when, ah you know, even when his team goes down, you can count on Lockie Hutchinson to do a lot of good things in a big game.
00:18:44
Speaker
Well, he had six turnovers, six steals, and six assists. So for me, that all balances out. fair Fair call. Yeah. I'm not sure if he would see it the same, but... no i'm sure I'm sure this entire Sutherland team is, you know, they'll be...
00:19:01
Speaker
I think they'll they'll be more annoyed that they put themselves in the position where they had to play the two games just to get to Canberra in the first place, you know, rather than getting the top four, winning, getting a week off.
00:19:15
Speaker
I think they they know they could have... They probably should have made... I think we talked about it. they've had They had two lean periods during the season and pretty much condemned them to a ah fight just to make the eight, which I think they'll look back and say they could have definitely done better.
00:19:36
Speaker
I critique because I love boys. Yeah, that's right. And it's not like ah we're not those people who call themselves fans who just...
00:19:47
Speaker
tear strips off their teams that they apparently love. Like this is all just observation and things like that. Yeah.
00:19:58
Speaker
I mean, still to make a preliminary final against, you know, in a competition with, you know, the top three finished 15 and five, you know, got over that Bankstown team at Bankstown, got past Comets in a, you know, a game that where the benches look like a mash unit.
00:20:16
Speaker
know, still plenty to be proud of.
Season Reflections and MVP Announcements
00:20:19
Speaker
Oh, definitely. Definitely. it was It was quite a turbulent season for them. So, yeah, to get as far as they did, um definitely lots to be proud of. Hopefully they started to celebrate their silly Sundays and mad Mondays already.
00:20:36
Speaker
not sure, mate. I mean, it's a long bus ride back from Canberra. You've got plenty of time. Oh, yeah. Well, yeah. stri Canberra to Sutherland.
00:20:47
Speaker
ah Probably three hours. i mean i I know we're on the south, but you've got to get across as well. True. So, yeah, maybe they would have had time to step in at Mooseheads for a little bit.
00:20:58
Speaker
Yeah. ah But, yeah, so ah it looks like our, well, not and looks like, but our grand finals for the men's and women's are set in stone.
00:21:11
Speaker
We're going to talk a little bit more about the grand finals in terms of the preview and things like that very shortly when we have a couple of special guests that are going to jump on and join us.
00:21:24
Speaker
And we've also got the MVP team. ah awards announced this week. Lockie, would you like to do the honours and announce who were our MVPs for 2025?
00:21:38
Speaker
I certainly would. So in the men's competition, it was incredibly close, as they are mentioned on the NBL One East Instagram, that there was one vote in it, and it was Todd Blanchfield getting the win over Will Mayfield.
00:21:55
Speaker
So the two fields beat the field. but And I think, I don't think you could be upset either way. i mean, three, two, one voting. These guys were putting up monster performances every week.
00:22:09
Speaker
One, one vote in it. I mean, What can you say? So congratulations to both of them, particularly to Todd for ah picking up the MVP. And he's re-signed for two more NBL1 seasons.
00:22:23
Speaker
I mean, the idea of any player signing a multi-year contract in NBL1 is rare in and of itself. But for a player of Todd Blanchfield's quality to do so, he's well and truly embedded down there in Illawarra. so great to see.
00:22:37
Speaker
And in the East, woo!
00:22:40
Speaker
And then on the women's side, well, I think this one was ah pretty well pretty well known. Nicole Munger getting back to back to back.
00:22:53
Speaker
Winning MVP over Taylor Wirtz of Manly Warringah. But ah I mean,
00:23:01
Speaker
ah i mean as I said, 3-2-1 voting. Munger putting up monster performances everywhere. I said it last year last week. I don't think anyone was going to catch her. And i mean, honestly, in that Manly team, for any player to get second in MVP voting with how many players they have putting up good performances every week, that's impressive in and of itself.
00:23:27
Speaker
Yeah, totally agree. And I did like how the NBL1 East Socials were kind of doing a drip feed. of the MVP like from five to one but I was worried there for a second when they announced Todd Blanchfield and Munger that ah Will Mayfield and Taylor Wirtz weren't going to get weren't going to get any kind of mention at all so it's like oh so you've come second but you don't get mention
00:23:57
Speaker
Fortunately, yes. Yes. I did mention both. It was it was good, yeah. I mean, it was smart to do the top two because if you do the second place, well, then everyone already knows the MVP. So it was good for them to do that the top two first.
00:24:11
Speaker
Yes, I agree. And I'd love to know the votes in the difference, the difference in the votes between the two ah Just before we've got one of our very special guests in the green room. So just before we jump in to say hello to them, we did have an anonymous tip via our Instagram DMs just about...
00:24:31
Speaker
ah the All-Star 5 voting that we were talking about last episode. So All-Star 5, there's only three positions you can vote on, guard, forward and centre.
00:24:42
Speaker
And we have word that the likes of, say, Jacob Furphy was nominated as a forward by the COE and not a guard. So that kind of gives a little bit of context as to why he wasn't an all-star, but he can get used play of the year and things like that. Because when he's nominated as a forward, he's going to be coming up against the likes of Blanchfield, Mayfield, or even Coat Noy or Galloway. So he's never going to win those, that kind of fight.
00:25:10
Speaker
Furphy against McDowell White was a tough one. ah yeah for Youth Player of the Year. um but this person also said it makes sense what you said last week, Lockie, for players who aren't on the MVP list actually get All-Star 5 recognition because they're still amazing. So they were agreeing with that too.
00:25:30
Speaker
So, yeah, just a little bit of extra information about how the whole um thing works in terms of All-Star 5 voting and splitting votes and remembering that the players club needs to nominate them for these awards and in these positions so when the likes of Anthony Mundine III aren't getting aren't in contention for youth play of the year like he should be remember it all comes back to something else so it's not on BNSW it's not on NBL One East there's other processes that have to be done first
00:26:07
Speaker
Well said. snap Yes. I'll try to be as diplomatic as possible. But anyway, we are very, very lucky to have one of two special guests in the house.
Expert Insights with Special Guests
00:26:18
Speaker
They are someone we were very excited to be joining NBL One East this season after admiring them from afar, as far as and NBL One West, which is far enough, but even further when they had played in Europe and France,
00:26:32
Speaker
Now they're here in our shores and hopefully that jersey in the background is for this particular player, Lockie. It's Katie Jones. Hey, Katie, how are you?
00:26:44
Speaker
good. How are you? Let me try and set this. Is that it that way? that it? Put it that way. Yeah. Perfect. Perfect. Thank you so much for joining us. ah We've also got our other special guest in the green room, but before we get him to jump on board and get in get you your both of your opinions on the final grand finals, how are you? How have you enjoyed this season in NBL1 East?
00:27:09
Speaker
And thank you for being here. Sorry, I just cut out for a sec. We were just asking, how did you find your season with the Bandits? Oh, it was great. I really loved it.
00:27:22
Speaker
um Yeah, i probably couldn't have asked for, like, a better place to first move out of the West to go to. So, no, it was really good. um Yeah, kind pretty disappointed with them where we finished in the end. I think we were worthy of but better than the semi. So, um yeah, but that's life is what it is. So, yeah, I wish we could have finished a little higher, though, for sure.
00:27:47
Speaker
Yeah, we're definitely big fans of the Bandits program of Sammy Mack and of players like yourself who are playing for the but ah the Bandits this season. So we were definitely rooting for you and yeah, feel for you that you couldn't go a little bit further. ah But um we're really, like I said, really glad that you played in the East. and Did you feel like you got had a chance to develop your game further after a season here?
00:28:12
Speaker
um Yeah, definitely. I think just like one of the major things is just playing against different people, you know, like yeah kind of being able to match yourself up against someone like Munga or, you know, other players. So um yeah, like ah that definitely did a lot for me. I think just having that exposure into a new conference and kind of test where I'm at level wise with the rest of the country. So no, it was good.
00:28:37
Speaker
And before we bring in our other guests, Lockie, would you, have you got any questions quickly for Katie?
00:28:45
Speaker
Yeah, why didn't you remember my jersey instead of having mail it to me? Sorry. I'm so sorry. Three times. Three times I forgot. Three separate road trips. But it's okay. It's fine.
00:28:56
Speaker
It made it there in the end. It made it there in the end. It did make it there. Every time I forgot. The crazy part was is that, like, I didn't even forget, like, in Aubrey. Like, it wasn't even in Aubrey. It was just always at, like, where we were staying.
00:29:09
Speaker
Like, I would just forget to bring it to the game. It was terrible. I'm so mad. I always brought it. But that's all right. Gave up in the end. I said, right, that's it. I'm mailing it. It's the only way I can trust myself.
00:29:23
Speaker
All right. And it's time to bring on our other very special guest for this evening. It's someone who has been ah guest on EGG this season already. Also someone next to Katie who was up there in the conversations for MVP for the 2025 season. We've got Jason Caddy back in the house. How are you, Jason?
00:29:44
Speaker
Good, yourself? Very good, thank you. Very good. Also, commiserations for your season ending before the grand final, but happy with the result in the end?
00:29:56
Speaker
um ah ah just heard Katie's answer. It's probably similar. Happy that we got a home final. um Probably not happy how it ended and finishing a little bit earlier than this coming weekend, but that's also how it goes.
00:30:13
Speaker
Yeah, definitely a lot to be proud about for ah to be proud of for each of your respective clubs as well, given that you're probably two clubs that are often underrated or unsung heroes in the East, given your despite the consistent good performances. So um going strength to strength for the Bruins and the Bandits was really great to watch this season.
00:30:38
Speaker
ah So now we've got you both here because... Surprise, surprise. We are, ah you know, the grand final weekend is upon us. I don't know about either of you because you're both having to do the hard work, Katie and Jason, of actually playing the games, whereas Lockie and I just get to sit and watch and commentate. But Katie, has the season gone quickly for you or do you feel like it's been a bit of a slog?
00:31:04
Speaker
No, that kind of flew by for me. I felt like, because I'm actually back in Perth now. um I've had to come back since we lost. Well, anyway. And so, yeah, I felt like I was barely in Aubrey Hay. Like, it was just like, it was so quick.
00:31:19
Speaker
um But no, yeah, it's I think it's it's interesting how it developed this year. I think, you know, like there was a lot of teams, there was a lot of change. Like it there was some teams that were really on the up and then kind of crash and burned or like the late incoming, like Bankstown, like I think, like those girls, they started playing really well, like in the back end of the year. So, yeah, no, it was it it was quick. It moved fast. Yeah.
00:31:43
Speaker
And what about you, Jason, someone who has notched, you know, 350 or so NBL games going season to season? Does the seasons get quicker or do they feel longer? um Sometimes it all blends in, but this one felt quick. I'd probably say the initial part felt slow because there was a lot going on in my life at that time, but I felt the back end flew by. um it just was like all of a sudden there was one, two, three weeks left and it was finals time. So it um it definitely flew by and probably for us even more so just because we were in a essentially a win or go home position for a little while. So it um it definitely made it go a little faster.
00:32:22
Speaker
And so, yeah, we've invited you both today to help us ah preview the grand final that is on this weekend. ah Actually, Lockie, do we want to get Katie and Jason's take on the MVP awardees?
00:32:38
Speaker
Well, that'd be good. ah like that. If you're both comfortable with that, because both of you came third in MVP race. Am I right? Yes. go Well done.
00:32:49
Speaker
Well done to you both. Do you get, did you get some kind of bronze medallion for MVP or anything in the mail or just the Instagram post? The Instagram post was enough. I'll take that as close as I've gotten to any award like that. So I'll take it.
00:33:07
Speaker
um Yeah. MVP race. Jason, we'll go to you first. Thoughts, feelings, Todd Blanchfield winning the men. ah Yeah, no. That's about right. Over Will Mayfield. Yeah, about right.
00:33:19
Speaker
yeah Yeah, no. I thought Blanche had it sewn in the bag a while back. So he had a really good year. And Blanche is one of those guys, I always call them like cheat codes in the NBL one, where the guys that are like in the NBL, they're like a three, but in the NBL one, they can be a four.
00:33:35
Speaker
So they can be a bit bigger than the most. And so they can kind of swing between both. um and so i've fortunately i played with blanche back when we were kids at ais and then on the gold coast together and so i know how good he is to play alongside and especially in this level um he just is a problem for everyone to handle so um i thought uh will with canberra had a good year so deserved in the conversation but i thought blanche was just um ah level above which i think most would agree with this year
00:34:06
Speaker
And with about Will Mayfield, ah particularly with his breakout season, so to speak, this this year, you know, ah defensive player of the year, second in MVP race.
00:34:18
Speaker
Do you think he has the potential or do you think he's ready to step up to nbl I think he's definitely got the tools and the size for it. Like I haven't obviously seen a lot of him. I've seen bits and pieces over the years, but but obviously this year being in the East, I've seen way more of him and played against him. So i um he's got the physical tools. He shoots the ball with pretty good clip, like he did this year. And so I think they're the kind of things...
00:34:43
Speaker
think when people come down to play in, ah say, the NBL one level, a lot of people think it's about scoring 30 or 40 points to get up a level, but it's actually about what translates. And so for someone like him, shooting the ball as well as he has and defending the way he has, that's probably the the quickest way to find your way up in an NBL roster. So I thought the way he went about it, and then obviously to help lead your team to a grand final, that's um the perfect kind of audition to say, can someone give me a chance?
00:35:08
Speaker
um Because I think he's that kind of talent where he could slide into a roster. And, and um do a job.
00:35:16
Speaker
And Katie, over to you, Nicole Munger with the three-peat MVP award again and Taylor Wurst from Manly in second. Is that how you saw it playing out? Yeah, 100%. To be honest, I actually tipped myself four.
00:35:31
Speaker
So i was i was I was just happy to do a one-up. But now yeah, no, so Munga, 100%. I mean, and i there seems like there's been some conversation recently about it should have been Taylor Wirtz.
00:35:44
Speaker
Personally, i think Taylor Wirtz is great player. You know, Manly's a great team. They're awesome. But I just think, if I think about even just like in a one-on-one scenario, like... Munger was like unstoppable when like, and when someone's unstoppable, when you play them, it's just like, it's, it's not even a question of like, she was going to do the three pay, I think so.
00:36:05
Speaker
So she, she's also leading two statistical categories and one of them isn't even points. So, you know, like to do that as a, like more of a small forward, like wing, like, yeah, I, I totally agreed with that call. I thought that was, I thought that was right.
00:36:20
Speaker
she probably the toughest competitor you faced in the East? Definitely. Yeah. A hundred percent. Yeah. Are there any other tough competitors are from the East that you'd like to give a quick shout out?
00:36:34
Speaker
Um, Well, I'll go with some teammates first, Riley Lupfer, my running mate. She's awesome, really super competitive. Like, we'll we'll get on my butt, definitely. i um Yeah, but I think, um you know, Fagin, she's good. She's got a good future, and I think she's got a good head about her, um and she's definitely making the right moves. I think I'll give a a shout-out to um Christina Moore as well. I think she had an excellent season for the team.
00:37:01
Speaker
just unfortunate that the Bulls didn't make the playoffs but I think um Christina had a really good year as well yeah so Lachie I've done a lot of yapping since Jason and Katie have joined us so I'm gonna throw to you to lead the conversation about the finals previews if you're cool with that certainly where should should we start with the women or the men Women first.
00:37:26
Speaker
Women first. Well, it is the game being played first. So yeah it is the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles carrying that monumental winning streak into the grand final against the upstart center of excellence.
00:37:40
Speaker
And Manly Warringah have had the wood over COE. In round one, it was 80 65 Manly got up And in round was Manly got up.
00:37:53
Speaker
but um I guess, Katie, because you've played against both of these teams, COE, in one of those games, they had everyone plus Jade Crook.
00:38:04
Speaker
And in one of the other one they had, they were missing Duckage, Russell and Fagan. So if you're either of these teams, how much are you really taking out of these results that have happened in the past?
00:38:17
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I think it's hard. Obviously, like that result, I think it was that last one with um Russell, no Fagan and no Dakic. Like that's pretty much their main jam, you know, like when it comes to their offense and even their defense as well. So um they did miss Dakic this weekend, I noticed as well in um the prelim and they were all right against North. So um I think she controls tempo for them well. She was a good up-and-coming point guard.
00:38:43
Speaker
um But yeah, I think it's hard. I don't think Manly was missing anyone on either side in both of those
COE's Team Chemistry and Defense
00:38:50
Speaker
contests. I just think in terms of the flow of maybe not so much the matchup, but how COE has been trending in the last two weeks, I think that they might give it a good crack, definitely.
00:39:02
Speaker
And I mean, players like Olivia Oliknowicz and Isabel Smith, um did either of you know much about players like this? And have you both been impressed by them?
00:39:14
Speaker
how How impressed have you been by them? I'm sure we all have been impressed. Yeah, I mean, I think Olivia particularly, you know, someone who didn't – I don't think she got as many minutes at the beginning of the year and then kind of as their injuries fell and people left and that sort of thing, she started kind of shining little bit more. She was excellent for them when in our final when she played. She was really good.
00:39:35
Speaker
And I think Smith's been pretty consistent for the majority of the year for them. She's still young. But, no, I thought she had a really good drive on the left and the outside shot. So they've got the right paces, I think, for sure. It'll just – it'll be yeah interesting to see how it pans out and and Jace you uh obviously you were at the AIS um so you know what these CoE players have been through when they have that four weeks off where some of them go away but the younger kids aren't playing uh did you think that's something that has really helped them uh just that rest period when they're in that first season at the AIS
00:40:11
Speaker
It can, it can go both ways a little bit, because that's when obviously the drop off can happen. And then you kind of, you've got young boys or girls everywhere, like there's some playing, there's some just staying there training, there's some overseas. And so that kind of mix is normally when the fall off can happen.
00:40:28
Speaker
But I think to the girls' credit, they've kind of come back and and, as Katie just said, they've kind of jumped in the finals and actually just played really well throughout the first few weeks. And so you kind of, um for for Manly, who have been pretty consistent, I think you'd obviously have them favourites, but it's kind of one of those games when you're going in to play a COE group that's kind of retooled and getting ready.
00:40:50
Speaker
They're a bit of a spanner in the works, right? Because they're they're young, they're going to be full of energy, and that can go either or... They could come out and just go blazing and all of a sudden it's ah it's a real contest. So they could come out and really struggle just being so young. So it makes for a pretty even contest. But those girls, they're in an elite environment. Once you get to the AIS, you're basically a full-time basketballer. So it's um also the setting and what they kind of train for is to be in these situations.
00:41:17
Speaker
And I guess for Manly, they have so many defensive weapons that they can just throw at people. They did it on you to Newcastle against Munger.
00:41:28
Speaker
ah how How tough is it coming up against a team where everybody plays good defense and there's no turnstiles?
00:41:38
Speaker
mean, for me personally, I think that anybody who is even in earshot of a premiership should be playing good defence as a team. So um I'd say, like, you've been having that already at the top four. Like, they're not – like, no offence to them, but, like, they're not the only team that are doing that. You know, like, I think, honestly, like, COE also have really good principles because they get to practice a lot. They get to see each other every day. They live with each other. Like, they have that kind of chemistry that's almost like – I was never COA kid, so I can't speak for it But it it's almost like a college-level chemistry, like that they just have that defensive, like in terms of rotations.
00:42:13
Speaker
um And so I think in terms of the defensive contest, you're actually looking at two pretty level teams. Like that's something that will be interesting. It's the same as like North has a really great defense as well. So, um yeah, I think you can see it everywhere.
00:42:28
Speaker
um but no, I think they actually match up quite well in that area. Yeah.
00:42:35
Speaker
And I guess I want to get from each of you, if there's one player you think who is going to make the difference in this game for each team, who who has to have a good performance from each team, Jason, if their team's going to win the game?
00:42:50
Speaker
Oh, that's a tough one. um I mean, you got it's one of those grand finals bring out different things. Like always say to groups when I've ever been in one, it's not actually about...
00:43:01
Speaker
the individual performance. It's actually about who kind of, there'll be someone, but it's about who as a group can dig in early and kind of just throw continuous punches. um I think for Manly, they've done it by committee for a lot of the season. And as you've already mentioned, a few of their names, like it could be anyone that actually has that part where it kind of shows out But I think like I've known her for a long time and people like Alex Delaney are truly the people that kind of make everything tick over for them. So someone who's been around the amount of environments she's been in, I think it goes a long way for her to kind of be the one just to set the tempo for them and just make sure everyone's engaged.
00:43:38
Speaker
I think that'll go a long way. And then for the COE, I don't know if I can pick one, but um I've actually had a mind blank on her name. ah Katie mentioned it before. the um oh What's her name? of The young girl who's been playing really well and got in the All-Star, in the Full Star 5.
00:43:54
Speaker
Oh, Fagan. Yes. I think she's like, when we, the few times I watched her play during the year when they played Bankstown, She just, the tools, the athleticism, the way she shoots it, I was just like, this girl is going to be a very good basketball player for a long time. And so I think um given what she's already done and through this, I think she'll be someone that if if I'm the COE and I can get her going, I think that'll go a long way to to them winning.
00:44:26
Speaker
Katie? pretty That's pretty bang on. It's funny you said Alex Delaney because I was actually going to say Alex Delaney because unfortunately in our initial final, like route week one,
00:44:38
Speaker
Like, we kind of had, like, she was the fire starter that did more, I think, like, for them than anybody. Like, she came out, she just hit threes at the right time, like, stepped in front of somebody.
00:44:52
Speaker
um and so, you know, she was she was a pretty big difference maker for Manly, let's say, in that game, like, from my experience that we played as well. i think i Dickinson, I think she can really be effective as well. I think if she has a good game, they look really good. Yeah.
00:45:07
Speaker
And then probably for COE, COE is interesting because, you know, like Fagin's kind of had a good game, like every single game. Like there's not really been a, you know, like a massive lull.
00:45:20
Speaker
um But I think Zara Russell in the last cut couple of weeks has really made the difference ah for the games that they have won, unfortunately, against us. But, um yeah, no, she was really good.
00:45:31
Speaker
She was really good against us. And so credit to her for being quite a young player. She... made the right decisions and um she just knew when to take the game on in the fourth quarter and like hold tempo and then knew when it was her turn to go so no i think she'll be pretty good for him oh aubrey wodonga have a zara russell fan club sammy mack was in the chat last week talking up zara russell oh right yeah no i mean look she played really well against us i yeah i was i was impressed it was good
00:46:06
Speaker
It sounds like it's going to be players aren't necessarily similar to what you said before, Jason, when we're talking about Will Mayfield and the prospect of NBL, not necessarily players who are going to be putting up 30 points or getting a double-double, doing all of those extra kind of things that you can't put on a stat sheet that are super important, like controlling the tempo, like Katie was saying about Zara and Alex Delaney getting out and being a role model by like putting her body on the line and shooting and taking the shots the right time.
00:46:38
Speaker
It sounds like they're the important kind of players, or almost almost like glue players that are going to be really important in the final. Am i right in saying that, guys? Yeah. Yeah.
Grand Final Strategies and Dynamics
00:46:48
Speaker
i yeah We'll keep our eyes on them for sure. And Zara Russell has just been outstanding since she's come back from the Under-19 World Cup.
00:46:59
Speaker
Yeah, she was really good. She was, yeah. Even kind of what you were saying with um those role players, you know, like everyone's going to have a strategy. Like when it comes to grand final, you've already played each other like maybe two or three times before. So um it's who's going to shine through the scout, who's going to shine through the strategy of that defensively or offensively. So yeah, that'll always make the difference.
00:47:25
Speaker
So on onto the men.
00:47:29
Speaker
So I went to look through the stats for the men and Jase, you'll be best placed to speak to this. um Illawarra, their offensive rebounding rate is terrible.
00:47:43
Speaker
It's 21%. It's lowest in the league, but you played them. Is that just a function of the way they play? They don't crash the boards. They get back on defense instead and shut you down that way. Yeah. They just shoot threes.
00:47:55
Speaker
but Yeah. they got they got no one to rebound because they're all around the perimeter shooting threes um they've just kind of like if you look at like everyone talks about the running gun like we played them down in illawarra and it was maybe one of the best games i've been a part of in a long time in terms of the nbl1 just like i thought we were very very good and they just continue to make threes and so we just we couldn't like every time we got a bit of a lead or got back in front they'd make threes and so So it's a dangerous game because if that day you show up and things don't go down, um that's kind of the way it goes. so But no, for them, they just get up and down. They run and gun. They shoot a lot of threes.
00:48:38
Speaker
And it's what's got them here. So I'd say that's what they're going to stick with. its Yeah, it's interesting you mentioned that it's a dangerous game because Illawarra and Canberra are the top two teams in the league for effective field goal percentage.
00:48:51
Speaker
So Illawarra have got a team that can match them in terms of putting the ball in the basket with efficiency. Yeah, I think um I would say Illawarra have more firepower than Canberra.
00:49:02
Speaker
I'd just say Canberra's been ah a group that's been together a long time. They know how to play. They know how to stay in contests and they know how to grind through stuff. If you look at it from just ah ah just the game that it is, I think like I would have Illawarra as ah as a heavy favourite in terms of I just think they'll have too much firepower. But I also think if if I was a Canberra person listening to this, that's probably exactly what they're after.
00:49:24
Speaker
And that's probably exactly how they stick to that. like they just they They're those kind of guys that strike me as a group that just roll in each day and expect to be underdog and they're going to continue to show how good they are. And so I'd say it probably plays perfectly into the matchup.
00:49:39
Speaker
and And Katie, as ah as a Western Australian, um you' you've played on state teams where I'm sure you've been, you know. sp yeah no i was i was going im I was going to say where you've been considered the underdog by the rest of the country and come out and done really well.
00:49:58
Speaker
Under 20s? Yeah, I mean, it's look, it was a progression. like we got we Vic Metro handed us under 16s. By the time we hit 20s, we knew what we were walking into. you know like it it It takes time. But we got there. It was, yeah, eventually.
00:50:13
Speaker
yeah but out yeah no But yeah, like the underdog. i think it's I think it's, yeah, it's it's fun to play in. like it's way what like me I could say my best experience as underdog is probably my NBL one finals last year with Lakeside.
00:50:27
Speaker
but We but finished, I think it was seventh or eighth, maybe bottom like in the bottom of the eighth. And um we had to go away on the elimination, smacked the elimination final, and then walked up to play, like, Warwick, who was second at the time, I think. And we were going into it.
00:50:44
Speaker
We'd played Warwick two weeks before, got smacked by 45 points. And we were like, yeah, we really are the underdog here and won the game. Like, and so, you know, those ones are honestly, they're like the most fun. Like, and so...
00:50:55
Speaker
I think as that team, like as Canberra, like they'll they'll definitely take that fire. um And yeah, I actually don't know what their contests, sorry, um this is really bad, but I don't know who won their contests in the regular season.
00:51:07
Speaker
um But that could also play a role as well. So yeah, but no, the underdog's fun. It's good. So they actually, each team won their home contest. So Illawarra defeated Canberra 85-78 at the Snake Pit in round seven, and then Canberra won it ninety three eighty five at Belco.
00:51:24
Speaker
Okay, so that's that's that's a good setup. I actually wouldn't even call that underdog if they're evens on the year. I'd say that that's just like a pretty good contest, yeah. I mean, sometimes you just need to do whatever it takes to get yourself up for the game, and if calling yourself the underdog is it.
00:51:41
Speaker
and he yeah The human brain can be a funny thing. Yeah. I'm going to quickly ask what you both think. I'll go to you first, Jason, about talking about Illawarra and their roster. And it's really funny how you mentioned that they just shoot threes because that's exactly what they do. It's almost like they all take a turn around the arc and playing on the rack of who's going to shoot the next three. Yeah.
00:52:06
Speaker
but one And this is coming from someone who's picked them to win at the start of the season. But with a team like Illawarra and their firepower, I think also comes with a bit of ego, perhaps healthy or unhealthy.
00:52:19
Speaker
Do you think that's going to be ah kind of like a dividing factor in how they perform in the grand final? No, not with that group. Just because I think it's like a they all know Blanche is the guy and then the rest of them kind of fill their spots around that. And so I think any any group that can buy into that and it's not them all, there's a difference when everyone's trying to be that guy on the night. That's when it can get challenging. But I think for them, they kind of know that, listen, we're trying to play through Blanche and trying to put Blanche in positions to be successful and then we'll all feed off that. And so –
00:52:52
Speaker
You've got guys like Lockie. Kobe McDowell-White's a young fella, but he's been around like... He was around me when I had the Bullets five, six years ago. Like, he's just been around since he was a kid. His brother's obviously an elite player. So I just think they've got a group that's been around the Hawks, for one.
00:53:07
Speaker
um So a lot of those guys trained with them last year and then just stayed around. And so I think that kind of... connection it just translates and they don't finish where they did if they were battling those issues um throughout the year of not knowing so i just think for that group and to your point around shooting a lot of threes penrith has great shooting rings i've had some awesome games there as a junior so uh if i was blanch i'd be extremely happy that the uh grand finals at penrith Yeah, might have to look up his stats actually if they ever got to play in Penrith just to see what his shooting stats were like.
Historical Performances and Venue Impact
00:53:46
Speaker
just have to I'll have to have a deep dive and look at it a bit later. But ah um you maybe you can send, when you send Blanche a good luck text, just be like, you'll be right, mate. Good shooting rings. out Yeah.
00:54:01
Speaker
He'll figure it out pretty quick. He'll walk out and take his first shot and no one blames you like, oh, good rings. That's exactly how Blanche thinks. And as a shooter, when you think that, it's always a nice feeling.
00:54:13
Speaker
Yeah. ah i I can confidently say that I've never had that feeling in the length and depth of my playing career. ah Maybe one day if I return a social comp down at Orkinflower, I'll think about it.
00:54:29
Speaker
Another place with great rings. You did? Really? Orkinflower? You like the Orkinflower rings? Love them. Love them. When I played there with the Capitals, I loved them.
00:54:41
Speaker
see, for us on our Tuesday night comp ah at Orkinflower, just ladies comp, we always get put back in that upstairs court. So I don't have the – I don't know what the court one rings are like anymore. They're all the same in that joint. They're all good. yes probably are Yeah. I'm trying to blame the rings. I should take onus for my own shooting.
00:55:02
Speaker
um like um But, yeah, Katie, did you watch much of the men's competition or have you had much experience with, like, having to balance out egos and roles and responsibilities throughout your playing career?
00:55:17
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I've had a bit of experience with the the on the rack thing, like you were saying, that was kind of my team this year as well. um um No, I think like definitely like the ego is interesting because, you know, it can really play in your favour and it can also flip the opposite. Like it's kind of one of those things. It's like you need a little bit of like,
00:55:37
Speaker
confidence and like kind of that like chip off your shoulder, like chip on your shoulder. Like I, like we're going to do this and we're going to win. Cause if you don't have that kind of mentality, then you just don't have the mental strength going into it um to like fight through those sort of things. So yeah, I think, but kind of like what Jason was saying, like I watched the Illawarra game when we played, um,
00:55:57
Speaker
them and they're just like a they're very well oiled machine in terms of like getting todd the ball like and they also know how to read each other to play off todd like it was like getting the ball watch him get doubled and then cut off the back side or like those sort of things so um yeah i think illora has definitely got good numbers there to to play out of him and um yeah they've got a good balance of playing for him and then also stepping up when they need to yeah Yeah, very exciting is as well. Lockie, do we need to cover some more, ah much more on these games, do you think, other than giving predictions?
00:56:36
Speaker
um I mean, I'd like to ah get um your opinions on how much do you think depth will play a part in a game like this?
00:56:51
Speaker
Because, I mean, we talked about it before you both came on that Illawarra, Kyle Leslie played 31 minutes and they barely touched the bench otherwise. Whereas Canberra, I think, ran 12 players against or 11 players against Sutherland. So, Jason, do you do you think depth really matters that much in a game like this? Or can you just win it with a short rotation if that's what you got?
00:57:13
Speaker
Do want my honest opinion on this? If I was coaching... Seven guys get ready to play. And if I need eight, nine, 10, 11, you'd be ready to go just in case. But for me, for me, um, you get through the season with a full group and everyone plays their part.
00:57:30
Speaker
But sometimes in these games, it's when you got to rely upon the group that, that is kind of your go-to guys or girls. And so if I was coaching that group, my starting five would be playing a lot of minutes. And if someone wasn't getting it done, then I'm filtering through the the bench and,
00:57:44
Speaker
at times, for sure, you're going to play people. But for me, I just think you're you're playing in your best group as much as possible and as long as possible, barring foul trouble, because I just think... there are levels to basketball and you've got those guys there for a reason. and i And I just think for me, I'd be looking at that starting group for but Illawarra.
00:58:04
Speaker
And even if I was Canberra, I'd be trying to play my main guys as much as possible, especially Will, Tuohy and Morrison, I'd be keeping those guys in as long as I can. And um I just think it's that space, it's 40 minutes of basketball. So if you're not fit enough at this stage to play 40 minutes, you're doing something wrong.
00:58:25
Speaker
and as a player i wouldn't want to come off so that's the other part so so so if you're looking at me for a sub i'm not giving you a response yeah you can call a timeout first before i sub off yes but i think peach used to when i was on the gold coast peach actually got to the point being like i'm not subbing you unless you ask for one even if you ask for one i'm not going to listen to you the first time and i was like yeah right oh cool
00:58:54
Speaker
And how many minutes did you average per game this season, Jason? probably the lowest i have in a while i reckon oh really yeah i i actually don't know i haven't looked at my stats i actually thought i was given a little favor by people for the voting of the mvp because it was probably the worst individual statistics season i've ever had in my life in the nv1 but i appreciate the votes but um no i actually have no idea but i know in previous years lachie i haven't had many subs at all so i probably averaged
00:59:25
Speaker
Close to 40 minutes in most of my NBA career this year. Not so much. 32. There you go. See, I want to say that's probably a record low. And Katie, Katie, 33.
00:59:40
Speaker
What was mine, sorry? 33. Yeah. Fair enough. Yeah. Katie's saying not enough. That's not enough. Coming back 35 plus. I thought going to be like 36 and I would have been like, yeah, and then 33. No, it's all right.
00:59:58
Speaker
33 and 32 and 33 is still amazing. That's like still, like you're still on for most of the game. Like that's not a quarter. Like the time that you're off, you're still not off the whole quarter. It's good.
01:00:10
Speaker
It's more like for me, I'm like, I should be fitter. If I had to be off for seven minutes, like I should be fitter than that. That's crazy. I played
01:00:20
Speaker
and and yeah i played a few forty late. 40 minutes late. you did what like you put venilate Yeah, last few games. ah Curtis said no more subs. I said, all right.
01:00:33
Speaker
But it didn't work out for us though. Next year, I'll be asking for more subs. 40 against Manly, 40 against Sutherland, 40 against COE earlier in the season. Yeah, that one hurt me too.
01:00:45
Speaker
That COE game when I knew I was retired from the NBL, that's when I knew because I was like, and that was on a back-to-back. was caught. Yeah. But me and Jalen, I remember the game. We traveled down.
01:00:58
Speaker
We played Friday at home we off Saturday at home. We traveled down Sunday. So it was one of those classic, you turn around playing at 2 o'clock the next day. And the game was back and forth. We were hanging in the fight. and that was when they had their full group.
01:01:10
Speaker
And the third quarter, I got going a little bit and we made a run and we made it a game. And I looked at Jalen. I said, we can't go out, bro. We've got to push through. After the game on the way home with him, I go, we should ask for subs. I can't walk. That's right.
01:01:27
Speaker
They're too young for me to be trying to run around for 40 minutes.
01:01:32
Speaker
Too much. Too much. there i don't know. The kids that train however many times a day every day still somehow have the energy just to go pinging up and down, up and down, up and down nonstop.
01:01:45
Speaker
No. Well, I don't know.
Physical Demands and Player Management
01:01:47
Speaker
Many of them were playing 40 minutes. That's the other part. They were rotating through subs. We were just trying to survive. yes Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:01:56
Speaker
Oh, wow. um well I was going to ask something, but I can't quite remember now, actually. Loxo. All right. Same deal. Katie, one player from each team that's going to get it done in the men's grand final.
01:02:13
Speaker
In the men? Illawarra. I'm taking Illawarra on that one, for sure. And who's going to do it for them? Is it anybody but Blanchfield? Blanchfield? Oh, I like McDowell White.
01:02:24
Speaker
I think he is a good facilitator for them. Like when I was watching, and like I said, I only saw one game, but I think um he was quite a big difference maker defensively as well. I thought he was pretty good. So um yeah, I'm going to take him.
01:02:38
Speaker
Jason, i think your decision's already well and truly been um explained. I think Illawarra and I think Blanche will get it done. ah just He's been in this environment too many times. So I just, yeah, I think he'll have a big game and show why he was the MVP. But I do think it'll be a good game. And I think ah think Mayfield and Canberra, I think he'll play well.
01:03:02
Speaker
I think he's just, and they obviously had the experience last year of losing. So that helps. But I just think Toddy and Illawarra will ah be a little bit too much. Just one last point. we With Nationals being in Canberra this year, is that extra motivation or once you get to this point, does it not even rate a mention?
01:03:25
Speaker
so Let Katie answer this one because I don't if my honest answer to that question is good for the NBL. but but What's your answer that we shouldn't be going on to Canberra? No.
01:03:41
Speaker
I think... Look, for me like, internally, like, I just knew that I wanted to get, like, my team to the furthest place I could. So it didn't really matter where it was.
01:03:51
Speaker
Like, so, you know, I think you already have that, like, intrinsic motivation of, like, that we want to win a championship and it's, like, getting to the national finals is just like a bonus of the championship. It's like we get to go chase another one. So, um yeah, I don't know. I mean, it would be cool to be able to do it in front of like yeah like home fans. But, yeah, I think you'd already have that motivation if you would in the grand final anyway.
01:04:16
Speaker
I think I just, because I knew as an NBL player, I wasn't playing in it. So I never cared about the Nationals. That was more what my response was going to be. It was never, for me, it was about winning the North or the East or whatever I was playing in. It wasn't, I just didn't care about the Nationals because I knew that we weren't going to be able to play in it anyway, just given the NBL commitments.
01:04:36
Speaker
And so that's, where I think – I just think it needs a bit of a revamp. I think, like, the NBL1 Nationals should have probably been this weekend or last weekend, and everyone else should have been finished either the last week of July or the first week of August. I just think we've got to get that balance right so that the Nationals can maybe be – like, honestve I've watched a few Nationals, and it's like the team with the full team wins, and they're not even the best team.
01:05:01
Speaker
So it's like – yeah Yeah, I've just watched Team Spruce for winning it and I'm like, well, you're not even playing proper rosters. Like i remember when we won the Gold Coast the first year of NBL1 or the second year, like we would haveve won the Nationals or gone very close with a full group. But whoever won it, I think it was what maybe even Frankston who didn't even win their conference.
01:05:21
Speaker
They just had a full roster. And so I just feel like it's given that the National Finals, not as much, to me, um importance just given that you're not playing everyone's full team.
Critique of NBL1 Nationals Scheduling
01:05:33
Speaker
Yeah, final funnily enough, Squin and I were actually meant to commentate on you. We commentated a Gold a gold Coast game at Nationals. We were like, oh, KD's not here. No, we were in Melbourne.
01:05:47
Speaker
We were in Melbourne and we played two practice games, which we didn't even have our full NBL team. So they were kind of not a waste of time. But I was like, let us just go play in this. At least we can go play. We're still playing. But they're like, no, not allowed. So...
01:06:02
Speaker
And that's that's why I think if we could finish earlier, hopefully then it can give that NBL1 Nationals a bit more of a um a punch where you've actually got everyone playing in it, not just whoever's available.
01:06:16
Speaker
ah i think I think a lot of people have said that over the years. Just a couple weeks earlier, get everyone involved. The crowds will be bigger. The teams will be more representative of what's actually happened throughout the season. And the whole thing will work a lot better.
01:06:27
Speaker
Yeah, and I think it even makes like makes this part easier too for for the women and men. like the women's The women's stuff starts a bit later with their WNBL, which helps, but the men all started probably two weeks ago, like full-on training. And so like once you get into that environment,
01:06:46
Speaker
it's really hard to be around your NBL 1 team as well because you're training every day. So like to go from morning training NBL to NBL 1 Tuesday afternoon or night, like, and then you're cycling through. Some coaches care and are really good with it. Like when I was with Lamarnis in Brisbane, he was great.
01:07:03
Speaker
Like let me have Fridays kind of off so I could be ready to play on the weekend. where coaches now we have a lot of American coaches and I just, I don't know, they really care about the NBL one as much as saying Australian coach would.
01:07:17
Speaker
Hmm.
01:07:20
Speaker
um There was a comment on Instagram but from Ball Don't Lie Australia, the podcast up here in the north run by Mal Crawford for you, Jason. Just say going back to ah how you talking about your minutes and your subbing and stuff.
01:07:35
Speaker
That Jason once subbed off in a Rollers game against the Capitals and then returned after three minutes, only checked out for a vomit. Yeah, that was – I was sick.
01:07:47
Speaker
was that That was at Capitals. was so good. And Pete's asked me when i walk I just walked off the floor, and Pete's like, what do you think you're doing? i was like, bro, I'm no good. I've got run the bathroom.
01:08:00
Speaker
That's a true story. Went and spewed, came back, sat myself back in, good to go. How many threes did you after that spew? You must have been feeling better and lighter. No, I was filthy because I was actually cooking to start the game. So I started the game on fire.
01:08:17
Speaker
And it went downhill after that. But we did still win, and it was much thanks to Tanner Krebs. He was elite that game. I do remember that.
01:08:26
Speaker
okay Yeah, so thanks for that ah nugget of wisdom there from Paul. Thanks for the reminder.
01:08:35
Speaker
All right, so we have predictions for – did we do predictions for the men women's final? Not yet. Not yet. Who we got? Who we got? Katie, go to you first.
01:08:47
Speaker
oh It's so hard, eh? Because, like, the two teams that are in this damn final are the two teams I lost to. Like, it's so hard.
01:09:00
Speaker
ah I honestly, look, i think I think Manly might get it. But for the sake of COE, I have a lot of faith in them. So I'm going to tip COE and I'm going to tip Fagan for the MVP. I think she's got a great future ahead of her. So I'm going to take a center of excellence.
01:09:18
Speaker
Nice, nice. Jason?
01:09:22
Speaker
uh i want to say the ceo or just because they're young and it's always exciting but i i do think manly just experience will help them and i think the fact they can get it done by committee um will probably go a long way in a game like this so i'm gonna say manly and mvp i don't know because any they could have four people who could probably win it um yeah So I'm just going to leave that up for the the judges who do the game. But if COE pull it out, I think it'll be because Fagin has a big game. Lockie, are you allowed to tip given that you're commentating this game? You're probably not actually. Yeah, I think I have to recuse myself.
01:10:08
Speaker
Yeah. No, never. You're a commentator. That's your joke. I have a vote for MVP, so I better not say anything. Well, you can't... Favouritism.
01:10:22
Speaker
Everyone has an idea. but I think everyone's well aware who my favourite players are by now. No, I mean, I've said it all on calls recently that I think Namly will get it done. um And I think... I actually think Kim Dickinson is my shout for MVP.
01:10:40
Speaker
That's fair call. Yeah, I'd maybe put her up there if I was saying Manly, but I'm not. But, yeah, that's fair. Just leaves you, Squin. Oh, yeah, picking Manly. Like, ah I got asked to make my MVP and my championship picks two weeks before the season.
01:10:58
Speaker
and in that two weeks, people like ah Galloway and Noy and all these other people were announced. And I was like, well, I'm going to look like an idiot. But I've picked right so far.
01:11:09
Speaker
But I did i think ah last episode the episode before, i was like, Manly's looking like they're going to go all the way with this. And we're hoping that they would last year.
01:11:21
Speaker
but yeah, I think this time, especially because they beat Newcastle now in such a convincing win, I think they're going to go all the way with it this time. i think it's like Jason said, that experience I think is going to come into play. I think they're going to have,
01:11:36
Speaker
a little bit more maturity and discipline compared to COE. Just in these types of big game situations because Manly have been in the finals since NBL 1A started.
01:11:47
Speaker
Yeah. So I think it's manly. But as for MVP, I think, like Jason said, it could go to anyone. So I think manly being manly, everyone's going to contribute evenly. And it's probably just going to be a case of the day of like, oh, who scored the most points? Or maybe, you know, because Taylor was second in MVP voting, it will probably go to Taylor.
01:12:11
Speaker
It would just be one of those days where like, oh, we don't know. we can't split it into four trophies. i Just give to that person. Yeah. I think that would be my pick for, yeah, pick a Manly for that one. did we And did we proper give our predictions ah for the men's final?
01:12:29
Speaker
Yes. yes yeah And MVPs? Did I zone out? Well, ah you didn't do, we didn't do ours. Jason, Katie did theirs. ah But you you already picked Illawarra at the start of the season. so you I did.
01:12:42
Speaker
so I did pick Illawarra at the start this season. and I picked Blanche Field for MVP. So I better stick with that, hey? Even though you know I love the Gunners. Love the Gunners, top to toe, the whole program, everything. But I got to stick with my initial pick.
01:12:55
Speaker
And didn't I pick Canberra at the start of the season? You did, yeah. I did. So I may as well stay with that and I'll go Will Mayfield Finals and MVP as well. Done. Easy. Done. ah All right. Well, I think that's more or less the end of the episode, right, Lachie?
01:13:12
Speaker
I think so. um Jason and Katie, it's ah been awesome having you both, especially like we we put this idea for this episode together pretty
Grand Finals Expectations and Gratitude
01:13:23
Speaker
last minute. So thank you so much for jumping on giving your predictions and your insights ahead of the grand final this weekend.
01:13:32
Speaker
Katie, you just said you're in Perth, so I'm guessing that you're not going to be able to attend the final in person. No, unfortunately not not. Are you going to attend the West final this weekend?
01:13:43
Speaker
I actually went to I went to on on Friday night and I'm going yeah I'm going to it's it they're still in the prelims over here so it's not grand to the next week so I'll watch a prelim this weekend probably with some old mates that are fine yeah nice and Jason can the fans expect to see you at Penrith on the weekend Oh, don't know yet.
01:14:06
Speaker
We'll see. We'll see. It's still Tuesday. I've got many things to happen before I get to Saturday. What time are the games, actually? they Saturday afternoon? That'll be the first thing. 2 p.m. for the women, 5.30 for the men.
01:14:22
Speaker
Why so far between?
01:14:25
Speaker
Just the kerfuffle with like, uh, post-game awards. It's separate sales for each game. Put a new net up. Is that why? Oh, yeah. Okay, I Maybe celebrations. And then bring the new crowd in for the, uh, for the men's game.
01:14:43
Speaker
ah yeah Yeah, we'll see. I forgot they have to show up in at the crowd. That's stupid. Yeah. I'll watch it for sure. I'll be on the live stream.
01:14:54
Speaker
Yeah, cool.
01:14:57
Speaker
um Just don'tite me don't mute me. no yeah yeah times so lost We both expect shout outs in the broadcast now that we've joined this. Don't worry about it. It's fine. Thanks for having me.
01:15:14
Speaker
Yeah, thanks heaps for coming. If you happen to flick over to the NBL One North Women's Grand Final on the weekend, I'll be sure to give you both a shout out as well. and That's just a classic Spartans versus Logan game again, isn't it?
01:15:27
Speaker
Yeah. It sure is. Logan. Almost every year. yeah yeah. I've been told it's ah ah it's another rivalry for the ages and in the men's competition it's Caps Spartans, which apparently is also a rivalry. Yeah, is. Yeah.
01:15:43
Speaker
Yeah. <unk>s goingnna be It's going to be pretty good. But, ah yeah, thanks heaps both for coming on, giving your insights. And more importantly, thank you so much for playing in the NBL One East competition, bringing your expertise expertise and skill set over here, making our league better and making it way – no, I shouldn't say way more, but making it even more enjoyable for us as fans and commentators to watch. So, yeah, much appreciated that you've been a part of the East this season.
01:16:12
Speaker
Thank you. No worries. All right. It's time to sign off. ah But before we do, Lockie, can you just give our guests a quick goodbye message and reminder about the East?
01:16:26
Speaker
Well, I know these two would never do it, but just don't sleep on the East.