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Season 2 Episode 18: Pass me my Powerade, it's the Preliminary Finals!
49 Plays3 months ago
NBL1 East saw an exciting and eventful semi final round, resulting in tight match-ups and rivalries in the preliminary finals
Lachy and Squin review the semis and look ahead to the prelims.
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Transcript
Introduction and Overview of NBL One East 2024
00:00:08
Speaker
Again, an unofficial podcast about the NBL One East season for 2024. My name's Jacinta and with me is the Olympic aficionado for the next couple of weeks. Lucky France, I am seeing a lot of green and gold in the background of your place and a little bit of ah blue and gold as well. Uh, yeah, so I got my Matilda's jersey, my, one of my two boxing kangaroo flags. two Opals jerseys and a bit of Sweden stuff for the handball because I love the Swedish handball team. And correct me if I'm wrong, but handball is a massive sport in Sweden, right? Yeah, all through Scandinavia. ah Yeah, it's massive. Yeah, if you haven't ever watched a European handball game, I recommend it. I got to see some European handball at the 2012 London Olympics and really, really enjoyed it. It is such a cool, I split i played it for a few years. It is such a fun sport.
00:01:07
Speaker
That's right, you did too. And um but remind us about which Opals jerseys you've got hanging up. So I got Christie Wallace from the World Cup in Sydney, and then Tessa Levy from FIBA Oceania 2015. beautiful and perfect timing to have them up as the Opals are going to tip off their first game tonight at seven o'clock on the night that we are recording being Monday the 29th of July. um Very excited. So let's get cracking with the episode so we'll have enough time to get ready to watch the Opals. Yes, let's do that.
Men's Semi-Final: COE vs Aubrey Wodonga Analysis
00:01:43
Speaker
All right, so we are in the very pointy end of the season now for MB01 East and it was semi-finals weekend. And to say there are a couple of interesting results would be an understatement, Lockie. Just slightly. Just slightly. um Tell us what happened in the men's competition. Well, in the men's competition on Saturday evening, the Aubrey Wodonga Bandits traveled to Tuggerunong to take on COE. And it was COE getting up 90 to 80 and it was Emmett Adair who averaged fewer than eight points per game this season.
00:02:22
Speaker
taking over where, you know, Kai Savage and Luke Fanell have left. He dropped 34 on 13 of 16 from the field, four of five from three point range. I said before the season, he was an under the radar player to watch. Looks like I was just playing the long game because he was certainly one to watch on Saturday night. But I got up 90 to 80. Aubrey Wodonga had four players in double figures led by Davo Hickey's 26 and six. Kevin Blalock 19 points. Sean Montague close to a double-double. But it was COE marching on to the preliminary finals.
00:03:02
Speaker
the COE and Aubrey game, Aubrey only going down by 10. We, we thought that they could get this one and they definitely came close. At Emmett Adair's numbers, 81.25% from the field. That's, that's getting up there with Kevin Duran at the Olympics. ah That is, that is just ridiculous. You know, they needed someone to step up and That's what we say. We say these young guys these younger guys, you know, they've had a full season under their belt. Now they've got the chance to step up and Emmett Adair really did. I mean, they ended up with four players in double figures and that is just otherworldly from Emmett.
00:03:42
Speaker
And they came out, it looks like they came out really firing the COE. They won the first quarter, 31 to 14. And then to Aubrey's credit, they managed to pull it back a little bit in the second, because they won the second quarter, 27 to 16. Then it was just toe from toe off after that. But yeah, Aubrey, so close to getting it done. Davo Hickey, again, almost with another triple double. Anything stick out to you in the analysis? I'm not sure if you had a chance to have a look. So we 80% from two point range in the first quarter and 50% from three point range and compared to all we were donger 41% and 16% from three point range. So like you look at all restarts like they only committed nine turnovers for the game. They didn't give up. ah I only gave up 12 offensive rebounds, but
00:04:33
Speaker
and when you get left behind in their terms of shooting in terms of shooting percentage like that. That's that's really tough because you're probably playing playing really good basketball apart from the final product of putting the ball in the hoop. is it's It's really tough. It's good that that's the only thing you really have to improve on. yeah It's tough when you're playing your best basketball and still not being able to score. Yeah, that's right. That is really tough. But yeah, the the bandits certainly went down fighting because it looks like as well, they came back and had they the first time they led all game was in the fourth quarter. They were up by three, only for a minute 16, but it just still means that they were still fighting back and able to get a lead. And then, yeah, it looks like that COE ended up just taking over in the end. One of those things, perhaps, where, you know, it takes a lot of energy to build a comeback and
00:05:25
Speaker
The opposition has had the chance to make the final kick. Been a bit of a story with Aubrey, with Dong Roon finals, getting back even close or leading for brief periods and then losing. Unfortunate, but sometimes fate conspires against you in strange ways. Yeah, that's right.
Sydney Comets vs Manly Waringa: Game Highlights
00:05:43
Speaker
That's right. But hell of a season for the Bandits men's team, especially under the new coaching staff as well. So lots of positive still to take from it. And then on Sunday afternoon, well, the most dangerous player in the league at the moment, Buali Bales, maintained his electric form at 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and six steals, 10 of 15 from the field, 11 of 11 at the line.
00:06:09
Speaker
I mean, the only thing you could say was he had five turnovers, but they got up 82 to 62, did the comets over the manly Waringa Seagulls up there at Warrywood and they too march on to the preliminary finals. OBJ had 20 and 10 as well. Johnny Sinegorac 10 and 9. And Mason Bragg led the way for Manly Waringa as per usual, 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. But Comet's just able to shut down the other two members of Manly's big three with Eldridge and Harper only able to combine for 17 points.
00:06:45
Speaker
Yeah, that is outstanding stuff from the Sydney Comets men's team. I mean, winning by 20 points in a semi-final is really um making a statement on the league. They're peaking at the right time. I'm probably sounding like a broken record saying that. But Bawali, he is just locked in, and like doing everything in the statistics. 11 from 11 from the line is outstanding and shooting at 10 from 15. That is a hell of a game from him. As I said last week, he's, he's putting up more points, more efficiently and his secondary stats. He's getting stuff done so much more as well.
00:07:27
Speaker
Yeah, he's just come alive in this back end of the season. And looking at the quarter by quarter scores, ah I mean, 20 points, you kind of think, oh, look, Comets probably had control most of the game. um But it was more their third quarter that they won by 11, that really, really got them ahead. And it looks like they were able to maintain it, because then the fourth quarter was 19 apiece. So coming out in that championship quarter and winning by 11 obviously was the tipping point for Sydney to win. And just looking at some of the points in the paint, like Sydney had 38 of their points in the paint, which I think um there must be some really great chemistry happening again between the guards and the bigs. would be such a great boost to have Obi-Chai back as well especially if he's putting up double double numbers.
Preview of Preliminary Finals
00:08:15
Speaker
You know they edged it out a bit in each of the first two quarters and then just broke it wide open in the third. Yeah and Comet's led by as much as 25. They don't call it the championship quarter for nothing. That's right and unfortunately Manly struggling from the three-point line that game shooting only seven from 26 which is 26.92% not the best shooting game for them unfortunately so
00:08:39
Speaker
It's just what happens in finals, right? You can only do as good as you can on the day. That's right. And, you know, when you've got someone like Johnny Sinegorac, you know, protecting the rim, you know, that makes your outside shooting all that more important. Whereas on the other hand, Comets being able to get so many points in the paint at a high percentage, their own, I guess, lacklustre three-point percentage didn't matter as much because they were getting it done inside. Yeah, that's right. To be fair, comets were only seven from 28 from the three-point line themselves actually, which is 25% overall.
00:09:12
Speaker
Um, but I love seeing Johnny Sinogorak get more minutes, but more consistent minutes. Cause I remember last year when we were watching some of the Sydney Comets games, we were a little bit, um, critical of this kind of very quick subbing that we saw of comets. So, uh, but then also Johnny Sinogorak three massive blocks. I think two of the three are on a highlight reel on NBL one social. So everyone go and have a look at that. What do the match ups look like now for the preliminary finals next week? So for the men's preliminary finals, it will be center of excellence traveling up to Maitland and that will be at 7pm on Saturday. they are I've only met once this season, COE got up 121 to 99 in that game. And then in the second preliminary final,
00:10:04
Speaker
It'll be Comets traveling down the freeway to Canberra, that game tipping off at 7.30pm on Saturday. ah For a 1v7 matchup, two very close games between these teams during the season. ah Comets ah went down on their home court, 81-77, back in late May, and then just a few weeks ago, Canberra got up 85-79 on their home patch. So, Comets have been down to Canberra recently, and only lost by six, and they're bringing yeah have bring pretty much the same lineup, perhaps even in better form than they were for that game.
00:10:48
Speaker
So very tasty matchup despite being a 1v7 game, that one. Yeah, definitely. I mean, they're certainly not playing like a team who ended up in seventh position. um And it seems like it's kind of worked in their favor as well. They've done a really great job to find themselves in the prelims. Um, but yeah, like you said, the last time they met, Comet's only lost by six. It is still an away game though.
Upset: Sutherland Sharks vs Aubrey Wodonga Bandits
00:11:15
Speaker
Yeah, I imagine that the Gunners won't be taking anything too lightly. Uh, we can probably expect the likes of James Toohey to be taken care of, biwali baliles but I'm guessing the Gunners are going to have to throw some other stuff at him in terms of, you know, doubling the pick and rolls or.
00:11:32
Speaker
I mean, is it too immature to even go a box and one when you get to the NBA one prelims or is that too, too much of a junior rep basketball strategy these days? Look, I've been watching the handball and teams have been going 5-1 defense, which is essentially as close as you can get to a box and one and that's in Olympic handball. So if you got a box and one to get Bewally Bales out of the game, do it. I mean, I trust James Toohey to defend very, very well at all times, but Oh, whatever you've got to do, do it. And then we'll see the matchup as well between Morrison and Sinogorak or Morrison and Che. It's kind of pick your poison. I think you trust someone like Cam Pender to take on Obi. Don't think you, I think you just got to put your biggest body against Johnny. If you went like Morrison against Obi, then Johnny's just too tall, too big for anyone else you could throw against him. Yeah, I think matching skill sets and style of play.
00:12:32
Speaker
Sinogorak and Morrison's a better matchup. You should throw Lucas Schmidt out there for a while in a defensive matchup on Johnny C. He hasn't played a lot this season, but this might be the matchup to work in his favour. be very, very interesting. I'm sure Southern Cross Stadium at Tugger Nong is going to sell out for this game. Gosh, who knows which way that will go, really. Thinking about the fact that it's down at Tuggies and not at Bellcub as well. I mean, it's all ACT, but it is not a place they played. It's still a home game. It's not a place they played at a lot. Yeah, it's true. It can also almost feel like an away game at home. It's like ah a quote from Pulp Fiction. You know, they got the same stuff we got here. It's just a little different.
00:13:13
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. Um, but I imagine, well, hopefully you would hope that they've been training at Tagrenong. in
Manly Waringa vs Central Coast: Key Performances
00:13:22
Speaker
preparation ah just to get used to the court and all of that kind of stuff. But yeah, then the other matchup, Maitland Mustangs versus COE, like absolute clinic on the scoring end the last time these two teams met. um Maitland with the home court advantage that they rightfully earned being placed higher on the ladder. um But in the last game that you mentioned previously where Centre of Excellence won, was that the same COE roster as that will be playing in the prelims?
00:13:52
Speaker
So that raw start that beat Maitland by 22, it was the second game of a back-to-back for Maitland and Fennell and Savage were both playing for COE on that occasion. And they both had pretty solid games. Fennell had 22 points. Kai Savage had 17. And Julius Halefanur was there dropping 17 in 15 minutes in that game as well. Not sure how much stock you can place in that result. and But having said that, we used a similar argument.
00:14:31
Speaker
to say that Albury had a good chance. Well, I mean, they only went down by 10, but we used the same argument to say that Albury could, could beat Centre of Excellence in that semi-final saying that it wasn't the same rosters they met early in the season. And then, you know, Emmett Adair was just like, hold my beer. Exactly. Is he even holding, old enough? That's a great question. Hold my Powerade. Hold my Powerade. And it doesn't have to be Emmett Adair again. It could be Dash Daniels or Shay Brogan or someone come out and have a big night out against, against Maitland this time. So I'm just even trying to think like off that COE roster, if there's anyone in that roster that could really target any of the, or like kind of exploit any of the Maitland's weak spots. But I think Maitland in terms of like one to 12.
00:15:23
Speaker
have a pretty solid roster in terms of positions and depth. So, I mean, picking a weak spot would be pretty hard. I mean, Maitland went 10 deep in an overtime game against Manly. How many teams go 10 deep in any game in MBL1, let alone an overtime finals game? Usually to get your 10th player, you've got to be up by 20 in the last two minutes. Correct. and then up by 30 if you're the 11th and 12th playing at home. That's right. All right, so that is pretty exciting. Are you confident with giving any predictions or will we just let the universe decide? I think Maitland are more of a chance to beat COE than either the team winning the other game, which is funny to say, considering that's the 2v4 and Canberra's comments is the 1v7 game, but
00:16:19
Speaker
at comets to, as we say, sometimes teams at their best are far better than their position on the ladder. And comets in their current form are so much better than what they look. And we got to remember that last year's grand finals was fifth versus seventh in the men. So there's no reason a seventh place team can't make it again. That is correct. Because the Sharkies ended up seventh, right? Last year and then they ended up winning the chip. I know, we, Southern one finished fifth, mate one finished seventh. Oh, okay. But it was on a tight, so they probably finished on the same amount of wins, but fifth and seventh. Oh, it was that. They were part of the tiebreaker. They were part of the infamous tiebreaker, that's right. We don't need to go down that path again. No.
00:17:04
Speaker
All right. I'm not going to give a prediction either because I feel like, um, I still feel like I live with a curse where if I give a prediction or barrack for a particular team, that team will then lose. So I'm not going to say anything. Although as we get into the women's finals, your predictions looking a lot healthier than it was not very long ago. Yeah gee whiz hopefully you'll prove that I know something. um But yeah last episode kind of saying oh yeah bandits can get over COE and I'm sorry bandits I probably cursed you. All right women's competition the Aubrey Wodonga bandits hosted the Sutherland Sharks at the Lauren Jackson Sports Center.
00:17:46
Speaker
And the Aubrey Woodonga bandits who were undefeated in the regular season went down 74 to 83. And had you not sent me a message saying sharkies in capital letters, I would have been so late to the party that this was the result. As a St. George of the War of Dragons fan who had to watch my team win a Miami Premiership and go out in straight sets in 2009, I feel for the Aubrey Woodonga. Bandits. I think they just conspired against them. I mean, LJ to the Olympics and then Hannon with the injury. as like It's one thing to say they're are a different team without LJ, but then any team would be a different team without LJ and without Hannon as well.
00:18:27
Speaker
ah Yeah, I totally agree. And it was also a slow start for Aubrey Wodonga. They lost the first quarter 14 to 26. Then they won the next two quarters and lost the final quarter by two. So they really had to do a lot of hard work to dig themselves out of that 12 point deficit at the start of the game. But someone who was doing absolutely whatever it took to try and get the win was Unique Thompson. Oh my word, she had 40 points and 26 rebounds. um Of her 26 rebounds, 10 of them were offensive, and she shot 42% overall, but as as you see in some of the clips, um a lot of those missed shots I think were putbacks under pressure where she had two, three, four defenders on her, so fair enough we're going to miss some of them.
00:19:21
Speaker
um And Michaela Pivock had 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the bandits. And for the Sutherland Sharks, Laura Nicholson played the whole game. She had 32 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, shooting 48% overall. She went six from eight from the free throw line. And Eliza Fabro had 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals, which she got to the line 14 times. and knock down 11 or 14. So she had a hell of a game herself. And shout out to Olivia White, because I think as you mentioned last episode, she'd probably likely be tasked with
00:20:00
Speaker
having to guard Eunique Thompson, and it looked like she did. I mean, who else in the league would be better suited for that job? And she had seven points and 16 rebounds. So um good effort for Olivia White as well, doing her job well as she always does. And it looks like she celebrated with a bit of a hen's party as well. If we take a look at the analysis, does anything stick out to you? Aubrey Wodonga's three point percentage in general does. um The fact they didn't, I mean, they were one of 21 from three point land for the game, which
00:20:37
Speaker
obviously means in three of the four quarters, they didn't even hit one. The points in the paint being so tight with considering Unique Thompson had 40 points, but there was a few, I was kind of watching this in between at least three Olympic events at once. There there were times where, you know, as Sammy Mack said, you know, Unique can shoot from, you know, she's known for getting in the paint, but she can, Shoot, the sir I think her first basket of the night was a ah pick and pop. Then she had a fadeaway mid range. Even when Sutherland's preventing her from getting to her spot, she can still score. So you wonder how the points in the paint 36-32 is so close with Unique dropping 40. Well, you've got Fabro and Nicholson getting downhill and then you've got Unique doesn't just score in the paint, kind of balances out in the end.
00:21:33
Speaker
Yeah, I think the other outstanding stat for me too was that three point percentage. That was super surprising. Aubrey even out rebounded Sutherland, 54 to 41.
In-depth Stats: Manly vs Central Coast
00:21:44
Speaker
They had more assists as well. But yes, Sutherland slightly, but a few gold percentage, you know shooting 57% from two point range. Aubrey with 50% two point range. I wonder if it really came down to three pointers. Free throw attempts war so Sutherland had double the amount of free throw attempts with 34 and Aubrey only having 17. So I wonder if that also
00:22:11
Speaker
had an overall impact along with that three point percentage. And the other women's game was the manly Waringa Sea Eagles versus the Central Coast Crusaders at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Stadium on the Sunday. Manly absolutely making a statement themselves next to the Sydney Comets men winning 103 to 70. Oof, that is a clinic. They shot 55.71 from the field overall, including 41% from the three-point line. Zoe Miller had 19 points and eight assists. Bree Delaney had 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, shooting at 67%. But you know who's really blossoming at the end of this season? Yes, who who is it, Squin? Brooke Flowers.
00:23:03
Speaker
Ah, she certainly is blossoming. Um, I had to get that in there. I had to. Um, hopefully our e-scot game listeners will collectively cringe when they hear that. Uh, but she had 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals. She was 10 from 12 from the field for the game and she only played 21 minutes. 21 in 21 off the bench. That is such a luxury. Yeah, and that seemed to be the the point that Crusaders ah perhaps couldn't really hold down. um Kim Hodge had eight points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes. And Josie Bullman is still in the starting lineup, had seven points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. So just incredibly efficient from a lot of these players on the manly team too, in terms of
00:23:55
Speaker
statistics versus minutes. They do have the efficiency rating here on on the MBL1 box score.
Women's Preliminary Finals Preview
00:24:03
Speaker
Yeah, efficiency from Brookflowers was 29, plus minus of 35, so super, super good game for her. And Central Coast Crusaders Christina Moore had 22 points, three rebounds and four steals, eight from 15 overall from the field. And then Jazz Folkadilla had 15 points, three rebounds, and four assists.
00:24:28
Speaker
shooting six from 13 from the field overall. Um, the likes of Mitchell and Domkins fairly quiet, unfortunately not having their best shooting games with Domkins only going two from 13 and Mitchell was only three from 12. So that's a little bit unfortunate for them. and well i see If you're manly, like if you just held Leilani Mitchell to 0 of six from three and failed out, mammoth, mammoth effort to get that. And I'm going to guess to that zero from six from the three point line. I mean, she's probably putting up threes under a lot of pressure, perhaps. um Yeah, and found out. Yeah, that's massive. And then quarter by quarter score, Manley's lowest scoring quarter was 22 points. And that was, and that was the first quarter and their third quarter they scored 32 points. Yeah, that's what I mean, they were already had a handy lead at halftime, but
00:25:21
Speaker
or is it 18-point lead at half time and then you come out and 32-13 in the third quarter and put it to bed very early. That's it. Yeah, game over. Analysis stats. I mean, the Crusaders only shot 25% from the three-point line. ah Manly with that huge 39 points from the bench. 54 points in the paint as well so over half of their points coming from points in the paint which is really good for Manly. Biggest lead 39. That is monstrous. In a finals game against that central coach roster. Well yes speaking of let's have a look now at who they face now in the preliminary finals. They're going to
00:26:04
Speaker
Oh, they're going to have to take a drive up the freeway and play Newcastle Falcons on the 3rd of August at 5.30pm at Newcastle Basketball Stadium. It's the rematch that we were hoping for, Lockie, given this recent history between these two teams. Oh, the Avian Afrey, round three. And I mean, Newcastle coming off a massive win against Aubrey to find themselves in the prelims with a week off. Manly are just going strength to strength. now with that huge 30 point win over the Crusaders at home. I'm calling this one to go into overtime. Oh, we have another overtime game between these two teams. Again, yes. well Will it come down to a Zoe Miller layup?
00:26:50
Speaker
Possibly. ah you've You've just given every Newcastle fan PTSD from um two years ago's finals. They've moved on. They're strong. We know that the Newcastle Falcons are tough. She's just talking about matchups. I mean, Boorman versus Jufferman's is a great matchup. But now you've got the added zest of Dickinson, because I don't think she played last time they played for Newcastle Falcons. No, I don't think so. Or she might've been just back. Definitely wasn't a full strength regardless. And now Brooke Flowers is just coming into her own at the right time as well. So already um under the basket, Manly, which was an area that they needed to improve on from last season, have really bolstered there their strength under the basket this season. So um I imagine that Newcastle would have a great game plan to try and ah limit those three players.
00:27:45
Speaker
um
NBL1 East Grand Finals Information and Awards
00:27:46
Speaker
And then Annie Henderson versus Munger, I think, is going to be the matchup that we're going to look forward to. Yeah, I think so. i Just try throw your best defender on their best attacking p player. Henderson matches up pretty well with Munger regardless of her defensive abilities, I think. And then actually remember we reviewed ah the last time these two teams met in regular season. and That was the game where the broadcast was cut with six minutes to go. But I do remember that between Munger and Juffamans, I think Annie Henderson would guard Munger and Bullman on Juffamans. But when it was just that too that two-man game happening, then Annie and Josie could switch.
00:28:31
Speaker
um Whereas when it was any other kind of two-man game monger and say chicken, they were staying. So kind of that worked really, really well for Manly. So imagine they're going to stick with that because, you know, Annie and Josie being able to guard whoever. I'm expecting from Newcastle to the likes of Kate Kingham and Hannah Chicken going to put in some good statistics like they actually but and melyssa bren particular but sophie brennan or both put in and great performances throughout the season but they are only ah did only run with seven players against allbuberonga
00:29:02
Speaker
And then the other preliminary final, which is actually happening. Now this is good. The two women's preliminary finals are actually scheduled one after the other. So you can potentially watch both. Whereas as the men's are essentially on at the same time. So North's Bears women will be hosting the Sutherland Sharks on the 3rd of August at 4pm at the Bear Cave. North's also so going straight through to the prelims, having the week off and now meeting the Sharkies who are on an absolute roll. Yes. Uh, the other Sharkies have got Lauren Nicholson back full-time. I think, uh, only the previous match-ups North got up 81-53. They held Panusas to four points in that game. And then 92-51 lost for Sutherland at home on July 5. That was no Nicholson, no Panusas. And now Sutherland have both of those players available.
00:30:01
Speaker
So much like, much like getting tailed by 50 both times against Albury, can't really put too much stock in the previous results for Sutherland, particularly with the lineup they've got now. And now, Taylor Webb's back to full fitness as well. Sutherland only used seven, but they do now also have Melandria Eunice back from her injury, so she was on the bench but didn't feature against Aubrey Woodonga, so. All turning positive for Sutherland, but North's a very difficult proposition for any outfit because they are in pretty hot form themselves. Yeah. And they they are consistently high performance performers, but they also really know how to win. Like Norse bears have that winning culture, the winning history with each other. They know how to close out games, but Sutherland women's program themselves have consistently seen themselves in the top eight for the last three, four seasons plus.
00:31:01
Speaker
So they know how to close out games too. It's going to be two of our favorite coaches against each other as well with Gallup and Marjoram. Um, but yeah, the Norse bears women, they're going to be facing a completely different sharkies team. So it's unpredictable. Unpredictable. Certainly is. And the thing I hate to bring up Lauren Nicholson again. No, I don't. We bring someone like Nicholson back. It's also one of, you know, yes, she's averaging 30 points a game, but she's also one of the best defenders in the country. A lot of teams will bring players back and show they can drop points, but how do they defend? Possibly the best two way player in the league back into the, into the fold. Yeah. It's a big, big in.
00:31:40
Speaker
Yes, and a reigning two-time defensive player of the year for MBL1A Strike. I don't remember 2022. I'm going to say yes. All right, very good. So just going through those games again, it starts with the North Spares and Sutherland Sharks women's game. Saturday the 3rd of August at 4pm, the Newcastle Falcons and Manly Waringa Seagal's women on the same day at 5.30pm, then Maitland Mustangs and the Centre of Excellence men at 7pm, and the Canberra Gunners and Sydney Comets men at 7.30pm. And by the end of that day, we will know who was booked their ticket to the Big Dance, yeah which will be the NBA One East Finals held in Penrith. It's going to be an absolutely electric weekend of basketball.
00:32:34
Speaker
Have you got any news or gossip this week? A little bit, a little bit of news from overseas from our favourite Maitland Mustang touch football superstar, Jack Edwards, um because he was overseas at the Touch Football World Cup, winning gold, undefeated with the Australian national team. They absolutely smoked everyone. they In seven group games, they outscored the opposition 116 to 11. And if you don't know touch football, it's ah one point per score. So it's not like footy where you have four points for a try. It's just one.
00:33:13
Speaker
So, absolutely smoked the opposition. Their only close game was a nine the grand final, which they won 9-6 over New Zealand. So, from ah national championships last year to a World Cup this year, congratulations to Jack Edwards. He's got the Midas touch. He certainly does. The only other news that ah we should probably mention is, speaking of grand finals, and the NBL1 East grand final, as we mentioned, is going to be in Penrest. Tickets to the grand final are already on sale. It says on the NBL one app and website that tickets are sold separately for each grand final game. They are priced at $20 each. So if you would like to watch both the men's and women's grand finals, you will need to buy two separate tickets for $20 each. So make sure you do that. I have a feeling as well that if it's going to be that way,
00:34:09
Speaker
depending on change over time, they'll let people in for the women's final, and then they'll make everyone get out, and then they let people back in who have tickets for the next game. Yeah, the matches I think are at 2pm and 5.30pm, so that definitely suggests that they'll be doing, yeah, full change over, everyone out, everyone in. So the venue is Penrose Valley Regional Sports Centre on Saturday, the 10th of August. And as Locky mentioned, the game times are 2pm and 5.30pm for the men. So there is a link. um I'm reading this off the news part of the MB01 app. And from the app, there is a link where you can go and purchase tickets from the BNSW website. So I highly recommend you get them while you can.
Episode Conclusion
00:34:55
Speaker
because I'm pretty confident that it will be close to selling out again like it did last year. If you haven't got your ticket by the time the preliminary finals end, you're probably not going to get one. No, get on Tixall or pull a favor. So on top of the MBO1 East Finals being played on Saturday, the 10th of August, according to the MBO1 website, there's an article titled 2024 MBO1 Awards Tracker, where you can find out who won all of the awards from the other conferences other than East and South. South is going to be announced on the 9th and East apparently is going to be announced on the 10th.
00:35:34
Speaker
So people are going to be going into the grand final knowing whether they won an award or not. And I think we've talked about this on the podcast before, Lockie, about the curse of winning an award. How many times in our history of watching MBL one, have we seen someone win the coach of the year and not win the grand final or win MVP and not win the grand final? Last year in the men's? Yes, last year in the men's and last year in the women's. ah Nathan Kerwin winning coach of the year and unfortunately losing the grand final. ah Will Cranston-Lown winning MVP, not winning the grand final. That's a lot of pressure for the day off. Reminds me of the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Lance Cluzner, one player of the tournament.
00:36:23
Speaker
after going out on that, you know, tired game run out in the semi-finals. He's got to go up there and collect his player of the tournament, ah having just seen australia Australia win the world. The same team they tied with when they should have won going on to win the World Cup have to be absolutely brutal. That's brutal. That is brutal. But otherwise, I think that is all there is in terms of the recap for the semi-finals round as we get ready for the prelims next week. um It's going to be a tight competition. Definitely is. And that's the way we love it. That's the way we love it.
00:37:02
Speaker
And that wraps up another episode of eScott Game. Remember to like our podcast and subscribe on your preferred podcasting platforms.