Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Season 3 Episode 18: Finals time 2025!
28 Plays3 days ago
Now the regular NBL1 East 2025 season is over, we look at the resulting ladder placings and preview the elimination and quarter finals.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Social Media Update
00:00:36
Speaker
Hey, we're back. We're back. We're back. Welcome back to another episode of East Got Game, where we give you the X's, the O's and the insights to the NBL One East.
00:00:49
Speaker
Thanks for joining us tonight live on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram is back, Lockie. Instagram is finally working again. Yes. ah so And also remember, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram and Facebook at ESCOTGAME, or you can continue to find our episodes on your preferred streaming platforms.
NBL One East Regular Season Finale Preview
00:01:12
Speaker
On this week's episode, we will be covering the final round of NBL One East regular season and take a look forward to the finals.
Commentary Experiences and Highlights
00:01:22
Speaker
ah But let's do a check-in. Lockie, how you been?
00:01:26
Speaker
Busy. Very, very busy. i commentated five games last weekend, including one and a half solo games on the Sunday. Solo games are tough, right?
00:01:41
Speaker
You would know. I would. Solo games are tough, especially when you don't know until you're ah until you get there. Yes, but you know, you can only do so much covering play by play and color, uh, and both teams on your own as is really, really hard. So you can't be good at everything when you're going solo. You really can't.
00:02:03
Speaker
And, uh, I proved as much.
00:02:08
Speaker
And what was some of your highlights from that weekend of commentating five games? Well, Lauren Nicholson, 50-piece. That was a pretty good start to the weekend.
00:02:19
Speaker
It was good to go to Manly, take another venue off the list, go up on the scaffolding with Lucas and watch Manly versus COE because I didn't get to watch either. I wouldn't have got to commentate or even watch either of those teams all season.
00:02:31
Speaker
got to see that. And I got to commentate the second half of the Comets versus Aubrey Wodonga women's game with Mia Heidi from Penrith. Awesome. Now, was she there watching Katie Jones?
00:02:43
Speaker
Yes. Yes. And I spotted her in the crowd. I was like, please, please help me. And she was only more than happy to come over for the second half. so Oh, that's awesome.
00:02:55
Speaker
Yes. And for those that don't know, how are those two like friends? like How do they know each other before the East? So they played together in Germany at Marburg.
00:03:06
Speaker
And they also played against Brent Maskowicz and also I think almost so maybe against Lacey Hawthorne over in Germany. So lot of connections to ah Germany and NBL One East. Yeah, two of two places in the world you wouldn't think would be associated at all, but seems to be this small little community of female basketball players.
00:03:28
Speaker
Yes. Very cool.
Acknowledgments and Congratulations
00:03:31
Speaker
Very cool. Well, before we get the show started, I also just wanted to apologise to all of our East Scott game followers and fans for be for me personally being unavailable at such an exciting time of the NBL1 East season.
00:03:48
Speaker
I had some other duties I needed to attend to and didn't have the physical or mental capacity to commit to commentating those games, the podcast and top of on top of full-time work, unless I developed a very unhealthy habit that would have kept me awake the entire time.
00:04:08
Speaker
ah So thanks to everyone for your understanding and your patience. And obviously a big thanks to you, Lockie, for preparing today's episode as well. I did a little bit. i saw you you dropped in your notes of your own, so it wasn't all me.
00:04:22
Speaker
Yeah, but you started it. You know, you started the bones. I just fleshed it out a little bit. And before we focus purely on the NBL1 East competition, a quick congratulations to Ruby Perkins, Zara Russell and Renee Gallup for winning a silver medal at the u nineteen Women's Basketball World Cup that was held in Czechia this year.
00:04:46
Speaker
Czechia, formerly the Czech Republic. um Ruby, obviously, and Renee Gallup, obviously, both from North. And Zara Russell is a Canberra local who's recently been at the COE.
00:05:00
Speaker
And further congratulations to Coach Gallup for winning coach of the tournament at the World Cup as well. So the the East was on the world stage in the last couple of weeks.
00:05:16
Speaker
And also just wanted to congratulate Izzy Bourne, who's also originally from Canberra, played for the Canberra Nationals last season, and her sister Callie is still there as well.
00:05:30
Speaker
She was part of the Opal squad that won the FIBA Women's Asia Cup gold medal. only two nights ago. And that was the first time in history that the Opals have won a gold medal at the Asia Cup. So snaps for the Bourne family. Yeah.
00:05:50
Speaker
The Opals have finally got past Japan.
00:05:56
Speaker
Yeah, finally. Twice as well. Twice. Twice, yes.
WNBL and Team Standings Overview
00:06:02
Speaker
And yes, and then the last little bit of information is that former finals MVP and All-Star 5, Yannick Thompson, who was with the Aubrey Wodonga Bandits in the inaugural NBL 1A season, has signed her first WNBL contract with the Sydney Flames. So in some ways she's coming back to us.
00:06:24
Speaker
She certainly is. And it's very, very much deserved. I mean, I read she posted that she wanted WNBL after her time in Aubrey, but she'd already signed over in Russia. So, but now she's back and now we've got her and she's playing for my team.
00:06:42
Speaker
Yes. And hopefully we can keep her. Yes, very much so. Alright, well let's get stuck into it. I mean, I have been pretty much ah away from the NBL1 East competition for the last few weeks between the both u nineteen men's and women's basketball World Cup. um So I've got a lot of catching up to do here with the East.
00:07:07
Speaker
Take me through the headlines from round 15, Lockie. Well, I tell you what, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles men couldn't have done it any tougher than they did ah in ensuring their finals berth and their final position of seventh because I went down to Bankstown on the ah Friday night there at Bankstown Basketball Stadium, 96-78.
00:07:31
Speaker
Bankstown with six players in double figures. You're Hayden Blankley coming off the bench. That's that's a cheat code. um But I mean, to be fair, Manly Warringah had six players in double figures as well, but are just not as high.
00:07:44
Speaker
But then i was actually at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre for the first quarter of um the Manly COE men's game on the Saturday, which um ah which was on after I commentated the women's game.
00:07:57
Speaker
And Manly had no earthly right to be in the building, let alone in the game, in the first few minutes. I think it was 25 to 9. ah the COE boys were leading at one stage, but Manly, to their credit, they dug deep, they came back, they won it in overtime, 85-77, and managed to secure seventh place with an 11-9 record, owning the split over the Sutherland Sharks.
00:08:25
Speaker
They also beat in a tight one much earlier in the season. And it also sets up a tasty North v Manly Spitbridge stoush in the first round of the finals, but... Oh, those manly boys.
00:08:37
Speaker
i mean, pulled it out of the fire. um And speaking of finishing seventh, that's because Sutherland, they went from beating Illawarra to losing to Inner West.
00:08:51
Speaker
well the Will the real Sutherland Sharks please stand up? I mean, I love you boys, but you can't go from beating Illawarra twice to losing to Inner West.
00:09:05
Speaker
If you think if you because the their results against other clubs prove they're good enough to take on any of the top four. But then they go and slip up and finish eighth and now they've got to take on a high flying Bankstown team.
00:09:17
Speaker
So yes, whilst there wasn't a whole lot of ah movement at the station in the top eight, there was enough to make things very tasty going into the finals.
00:09:30
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. It's super exciting. It's a as an exciting finished as we anticipated this season to be. I think by at least halfway through the regular season, we were already anticipating that it was going to be a very, very tight race for those final eight spots on both the men's and women's ladder. Because even the women's ladder...
00:09:52
Speaker
That ended up in in an arrangement that we weren't expecting either. Inner West Bulls women being knocked out pretty much by the results of round 15. 100%. You know, Lauren Nicholson scored 50-piece.
00:10:03
Speaker
you know lauren nicholson scored a fifty piece um won it in overtime. the The problem with Laura Nicholson missing a free throw really late in the game against you that helps you get it to overtime is that Laura Nicholson is then really fired up in overtime to make sure she gets it done.
00:10:23
Speaker
And Laura Nicholson doesn't miss free throws very often. Like she's like an 80, 85% free throw shooter. She was 17 of 18 at the line. And the one she missed would have put Sutherland up three before the final possession.
00:10:37
Speaker
So, know, West were able to get a two to tie it and take it to overtime. That hurts. That hurts a lot. That would have hurt if the Sutherland had lost. Yeah, that's true.
00:10:48
Speaker
That's true. Yeah, yeah that I guess ah if it were the other way around, inner West Bulls women would be in. They certainly would. But Maitland, well, once they went down and once um was on the bus I was on the bus home from Manly watching the end of this game and Mila Wascovic got to the basket and got an and one and I did the big...
00:11:07
Speaker
Count it and one single. There was this guy sitting across the aisle from me in a basketball hoodie. He's just peered over. He's like, what game are you watching there, mate? Just the NBL 1 East women, came Canberra Maitland.
00:11:21
Speaker
so And that Maitland win pretty much closed the door on a lot of teams. that um Closed the door on Sutherland. I'm pretty sure it closed the door on Inner West at the time. And then when they went and then beat CLE 49-48, which is a bizarre scoreline.
00:11:39
Speaker
Very close game, but bizarre scoreline. um didn't Didn't matter what happened in the rest of the games, although I think Comets had already lost by the time that game had happened. So all sewn up, Maitland into seventh.
00:11:55
Speaker
they've ah They've been really up and down all season, Maitland. You know, start of the year, we were like, Maitland, fine, lock them in. And then it took took this to our to get them into the top eight, but they're there and...
00:12:10
Speaker
ah ah They'll take on Bankstown, who they only lost two by four. And Bankstown had Shiloh for that one. Yeah, so we'll get into the nitty-gritty of the finals matchups, but I'll just quickly revise the final ladder placings heading into this first weekend of finals. So in the men's competition, Illawarra Hawks ended up first.
00:12:36
Speaker
Then with with a win-loss record of 15 and 5, Centre of Excellence finished second with the same record, as did Canberra Gunners ended up placing third with the same win-loss record and just fractions of points percentage separating all of them.
00:12:54
Speaker
And I think getting the split on particular on each other as well would have been a factor of those final placings. Then in fourth is Sydney Comets. Fifth, Bankstown Bruins. Now, if you cast your mind back to when we had Jason Caddy on the show, Bankstown was still on the fringes, I'm pretty sure, at that point. Am I right?
00:13:15
Speaker
They certainly were. They were, um yeah, they were. I mean, they're on a five-game winning streak and they're finishing one game ahead of eight. So that tells you, you know, where they've come from.
00:13:28
Speaker
yeah yeah so that they were kind of hanging around the fringes uh i i was pretty confident they could make the eight but i wasn't so sure that they could make it to fifth so they've done an exceptional job in this run to the finals uh then you've got norse bears in six they've also got the win lost record of 12 and eight uh seventh place is now manly waringa seagulls getting it done at the right time as well and eighth position, as you mentioned, was Sutherland Sharks.
00:13:57
Speaker
Both seventh and eighth also on win-loss records of 11 and nine and just fractions of points percentage separating them as well. Both of those fifth and sixth and seventh and eighth splits are one-game splits as well.
00:14:12
Speaker
Bainstown beat North on the very first day of the season. It was the first game we reviewed. And then Manly beat Sutherland. So no return trip to try and get the split. And it ended up... what being what decided the positions.
00:14:25
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. It's really interesting how many of those one game opportunities have made such an impact on the final ladder placings in the men's competition and also in preparation for finals time, because as we get in, when we get into it later, that will come ah to light a little bit more.
00:14:46
Speaker
and In the women's competition, the ladder stands like this after the regular season. So Manly Warringah Seagulls minor premiers once again, win-loss record of eighteen and two ah The Norse Bears in second position and Newcastle Falcons in third position.
00:15:06
Speaker
They have the same win-loss record 17-3.
00:15:11
Speaker
ah Fourth position was Aubrey Wodonga Bandits. Fifth position is Centre of Excellence. Sixth is Bankstown Bruins. Again, the same team.
00:15:22
Speaker
Now in the women's competition where we were like, oh, they're just on the fringes, but adding Shiloh and a couple of other players at the right time saw their season trajectory just go like just continue ah exponentially, and here they are in six.
00:15:38
Speaker
Yeah. Maitland, like you said, have got locked in that seventh position now at 10 and 10, and Canberra Nationals are eighth with nine and 11. ah So that rounds out the ladder standings.
00:15:53
Speaker
um I think, yeah, like we said, I think I'm surprised overall that Sutherland, even before Lauren Nicholson, didn't make the eighth given their roster.
00:16:04
Speaker
Yeah. um The Sydney Comets were kind of always a bit on a knife's edge. But, yeah, you know, West Bulls would have been quite heartbroken to know that, like, pretty much by the end of their game, a they lost, and then B, knowing that based on the other results, they're out.
00:16:21
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, you go down to Illawarra, you win, and it means nothing in the end because of Maitland's result. um Interesting also that Canberra-Innerwest, sorry, the yeah, the Canberra-Innerwest tiebreak, that was also a one one-time matchup that Canberra beat Innerwest by almost 30 in that game, and that was what decided the split between those teams.
00:16:48
Speaker
Wow, there you Because even though, that's right, because Canberra and Inner West, eighth and ninth respectively, same win-loss record of nine and 11, and Canberra edges in by 0.9% on the point percentage.
00:17:05
Speaker
That's rough.
Importance of Early Wins and Finals Format
00:17:06
Speaker
Yeah, and I mean, mean, i mean
00:17:12
Speaker
you know And it's one of those things, if Maitland loses a game, do you get the three-way split? If Sutherland wins again another game, do you get the three-way split? Or if Comets win a game, do you get the three-way split with those teams? yeah Sometimes it just calls down to who you get who you tie with.
00:17:28
Speaker
And you know you talk about relying on other results, but in the end, if you don't win games earlier in the season, you're not relying on other results. So that's the thing. We talk about relying on other results, but you're not really.
00:17:41
Speaker
Those results are going to happen regardless. You've got to make your own way. Yeah, you've just got to win. It's just that easy, guys. We keep saying it all the time. Why did you just win?
00:17:53
Speaker
Why did you all finish 20-0? Aubrey did it. up Aubrey did it. ah Geelong in NB01 South, their women's team are 22-0 for the regular season.
00:18:07
Speaker
That's basically a WNBL team playing down there. Yes. And I did joke with Sammy Mack saying, you know, watch their coach get coached the year because they went undefeated. I'm hoping that enough time has passed for that joke not to sting. He took it well.
00:18:26
Speaker
He took it well. Okay. Okey-doke. So... ah Just before we get into the final round matchups, quickly revise for our listeners, Lockie, how this final series is going to work.
00:18:45
Speaker
Okay, so week one, first place four second place third this plays fifth plays eighth, sixth plays seventh. The two losers from the teams between the top four teams get a second chance and play in week two against the winners of the games from the bottom four teams.
00:19:03
Speaker
And the two winners of the top four advance directly to week three. So they get a bye in week two. um The losers cross over. So the team you play in week one, so if Manly beat Aubrey in the women's qualifying final, first v. fourth game, they would not be able to meet again until the grand final.
00:19:24
Speaker
so uh obviously the losers of 5v8 and 6v7 they're eliminated so yeah the loser of first versus fourth plays the winner of six versus seventh the loser of two they can versus third plays the winner of fifth versus eighth they advance and then obviously the two preliminary final winners see you in penrith on august 16th so fire I guess for people who follow multiple sports, it's exactly the same format as the AFL and NRL finals.
00:19:57
Speaker
Beautiful. That sounds good. That makes it really exciting. i actually really like this format for that reason because it builds the excitement. We know finals time basketball on paper is the same as regular season, but like spiritually, atmospherically, psychologically, it is very, very different from the regular season. that Anything can happen. So I really like this type of format. It makes it super exciting, gives our teams a second or third bite at the cherry. if they're peaking at the right time.
00:20:29
Speaker
I think the two main things that change finals is, one, how do you deal with the pressure of potential elimination? And secondly, you never have that week where you play a team that's down the bottom of the table.
00:20:42
Speaker
yeah Every game yeah is against a top eight team. So you don't get those perhaps easier weeks. It's real cream of the crop. tight It's higher stakes, tighter competition, more to gain, more to lose.
00:20:58
Speaker
Roll of the dice. We love it. We certainly do, which is why I'll be there. That's why you will be there. um And as always, I always as always i try sometimes reference my regular life and feelings to moments on RuPaul's Drag Race, and this is what I've prepared for this finals time.
00:21:23
Speaker
Oh my God. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh God. Sums it up beautifully. I love it. Go to see Raja O'Hara, ohhara depending on ah your accent. Yep, that's how I'm feeling. That's how I'm feeling about the whole thing and that's just going to get...
00:21:43
Speaker
Higher and higher as we get deeper in the finals. So no let's talk about these women's finals matchup. The first elimination final is between the Centre of Excellence, who placed fifth, versus the Canberra Nationals, who placed eighth.
00:21:59
Speaker
We've got a... What did you call it? We've got a ah chaos in the capital, double capital punishment. Yes, because they also play in the men's, which we'll get to later
Preview of Key Finals Matchups
00:22:09
Speaker
on. Yes, double capital punishment in the finals.
00:22:12
Speaker
Um, really interesting. Um, I mean, yes, it's a trip up the road, but on both occasions, the away team won in, uh, in this matchup, which is something I found very interesting.
00:22:26
Speaker
Um, 83, 68, see we got the win over Canberra in the first matchup. And then 77, 74 on that, uh, King's birthday long weekend, extra game that they sneak in at the end of round nine.
00:22:41
Speaker
But, uh, Bit of roster change since then, Squin? Perhaps on both sides. Yeah, for sure. and What's interesting about this matchup as well is I feel like they've played each other at like very even marks of time during the season.
00:22:56
Speaker
So they met each other in round four, then they met it they played it again in round nine, and now they're playing each other elimination final. like It's almost like a like routine, Yeah.
00:23:07
Speaker
almost ah But, yes, so the COE since these two games, especially the first one where COE won 68 to 83, they have lost now Jade Crook. She's gone to start her college career with the Buffs.
00:23:25
Speaker
ah Amelia Darkich as well. I think she's graduated. And Zara Russell. has also graduated since then. So there were three kind of ah older players in the COE, um obviously, you know, the ones being now graduated, and obviously three leaders of that team.
00:23:46
Speaker
So ah don't expect them to be, well, they probably won i don't they won't be suiting up of the elimination final. But then have we got any news on Carly McAllister?
00:23:57
Speaker
No, and she hasn't played since July fifth I'm pretty sure. So that's two two weeks two weeks out, which is ah really, really big out um for Canberra.
00:24:11
Speaker
I mean, she's just been she's been their star for the entire season.
00:24:17
Speaker
Yeah, she's she's been like all-star five contender the entire season. She's consistently been putting up double-doubles. I'm pretty sure she does average a double-double. We can just have a quick check.
00:24:31
Speaker
But, yeah, that's a big out. for the Canberra Nationals, especially in terms of match-ups because Zataya Fagan has been on fire as well all season for the COE.
00:24:43
Speaker
She's just gone away. She was also at the U19 Fever Women's Basketball World Cup. She should be back by now, not necessarily rested unless hopefully they've given her this week off in preparation for the elimination final. But who from Canberra is going to be able to match up with Fagan?
00:25:02
Speaker
If not, mc if McAllister's not there. ah I mean, it's a really, it's really tough. Carly is so, she's, yeah.
00:25:13
Speaker
I mean, you want to play? I mean, you just throw Callie Bourne or someone like in there to play a bit bigger or something like that? She needs someone who's, who's mobile. Yeah.
00:25:25
Speaker
ah Got Abby Kettles. Abby Kettles. um I mean, Kettles is the second leading rebounder on the team. I mean,
00:25:36
Speaker
i mean they they started ah they've been starting at least Finney, but um I think...
00:25:46
Speaker
difficult one. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's just that matchup would just be so, it's so massive. I mean, it's not also, you know, who goes on Fagan, but then on the COE side, you know, ah who's up against McAllister you know, you know they they can guard each other and see who takes who out of the game.
00:26:11
Speaker
Yeah, so, yeah, McAllister was averaging 20.29 points per game and 13.94 rebounds per game. So an impressive double-double, not just your regular 10 and 10.
00:26:24
Speaker
That is a solid double-double. ah So, yeah, I think the matt who's going to match up on Fagan is a big question mark. Maybe Nationals throw a little bit of zone, bit of a 2-3, bit of a 2-1-2 help counteract that.
00:26:40
Speaker
i I mean, think things I've seen recently just in terms of teams being shorthanded in general, whether it's been big names out or a lot of players out, has been throwing a zone at oppositions.
00:26:56
Speaker
You know, you can't get the matchups 100%, you know, how you want them. Just, yeah, throw a zone out there. And sometimes also I think it's been a little bit of trying to stay out of foul trouble when the rosters have been really short. But I think it's a really good idea.
00:27:11
Speaker
Though, that's going to an interesting one to watch. If you had to pick a winner for this game, who's going who's winning this elimination final, Lockie? um Fagan back, no McAllister, as we know.
00:27:28
Speaker
COE. but I think I'd go COE if both rosters were full strength. um especially having watched COE go. It was shorthanded COE and shorthanded Manly, but watching Isabel Smith and Olivia Aleknewich on the weekend.
00:27:45
Speaker
i ah i think despite the fact they've lost a few graduated players, I see plenty out there that can absolutely torch defences. Oh, yeah, and they're still like they only just played at the under-15s, Oceana, those two players.
00:28:00
Speaker
like So we had the pleasure of watching the U19 Gems on the world stage, also missing big players but still showing the depth of talent we have in that age group.
00:28:11
Speaker
We had Madison Ryan in that team who's only 16 and then the likes of the two players in Olivia and Izzy that you just mentioned from COE that are 15. Yeah. I think we're going to be okay.
00:28:22
Speaker
i think the future of Australian women's basketball school is going to be okay. Like they could be scary good. The kids are all right. The kids are all right, definitely.
00:28:33
Speaker
all right, moving right along now to a game that you touched on earlier, Bankstown Bruins versus the Maitland Mustangs, sixth and seventh respectively.
00:28:44
Speaker
They only met once in this regular season and it wasn't too long ago. it was in round 12. with the Bruins taking that one at home 84-80. Shia La Hill did suit up in that game and just stuffed the stat sheet as you would expect.
00:29:02
Speaker
question mark if she's going to be playing, given that we saw on her Instagram account a few weeks ago she's in a knee brace. ah But the Stangers are on a roll. They are in a in a kind of ah interesting way. i mean, they've won three of their last four.
00:29:19
Speaker
ah They... um But then they, I mean, they only scored 49 against COE, but they managed to win only scoring 49 somehow. So make it make sense. But as you mentioned, Shiloh Hill stuffing the shut stat sheet, 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals in that game in that 84 to 80 win. So that's the kind of performance where you can say without her, they don't win that game.
00:29:46
Speaker
Um, and I mean, that is the entire, entire question mark about it is will Shiloh be there? Because I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, the stats of Bankstown's offense are just astronomical.
00:30:00
Speaker
Um, even going from the jump from Rice, Jada Rice and Juju Redmond to having all three. mean, they're good with just those two, but when Shiloh was there, it was absolutely electric. Um,
00:30:13
Speaker
And I mean, i still think Banks sounded good enough to get the win, even without Shiloh, against Maitland. ah I think i mean Jada Rice definitely has the size size advantage in the paint um over both Hunter and Newbert.
00:30:32
Speaker
It'd be interesting to see who they actually match up there because, I mean, be nice to use, you know, i mean hunters I mean, they both got pretty good foot speed, do Hunter and Newbert. But I like the other matchup that you've written down is um Juju, Redmond, and Mila Wascovic.
00:30:49
Speaker
Two athletic, long players that... I don't think we don't have a lot of players who play with that length in those positions, especially, and they they probably will match up against each other.
00:31:06
Speaker
Yes, well picked up there. That's exactly why wrote that matchup down in our run sheet for the night. It's the length, like Mila's length. I think cannot be taken for granted because she is quick. She is long. She is athletic and she has great anticipation on defense. So i think if coach Granger gives her that defensive assignment of Redmond, she's going to do a really good job of trying to lock her down or at least limit her, ah not so much, just limit her scoring ability or just make life really hard for Redmond and have to really work for her shots. So that's one matchup I'm really keen to look out for.
00:31:45
Speaker
I think Hunter will likely take Jada Rice for most of the game. ah i mean, versatility is great to have up your sleeve to be able to switch Newbert as well.
00:31:58
Speaker
um The only thing I think both of those players need to be careful of is foul trouble. Mm-hmm. um We don't want to get don't don't want the likes of Hunter or Newbert getting into any early foul trouble, having a defensive assignment on Jada Rice.
00:32:15
Speaker
um And just statistically for the Stangers as well, you know you've got the likes of Riley, Newbert, Hunter, and Plater. I think Plater's out.
00:32:25
Speaker
Plater will be out. What have I missed? did she not Did she not play on the weekend? ah Let me check. but She was out. I probably should have checked the.
00:32:40
Speaker
That's okay. I can, I can see coach Granger did tune in on Instagram live. So if you're still watching, Will, and you can give us any tips. She'd been out for a while, but um yeah, i was I was too busy watching the game to actually check the stats.
00:32:56
Speaker
Oh, that's okay. But I mean, you've got those other big three in Riley, Hunter, Newbert. Oh, big four with Mila. Yeah. that's doing the core the bulk of the the scoring and stuff as well. Then you've got Rach Williams coming in there with some assists and also some defensive assignments too It's going to be a close one.
00:33:15
Speaker
I do remember as well when we reviewed the game between Newcastle Falcons and Bankstown, I think it was that game where Jada Rice was dropping far too much defensively when they were guarding a pick and roll.
00:33:31
Speaker
So I wonder... Oh, okay. So I wonder if the Stangers are going to just be running a lot of pick and roll targeting Rice just to exploit that. Because if you've got the likes of Shaq coming off a pick and roll for a nice jumper from the elbow, if she's hot, game over.
00:33:50
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. one hundred percent 100%. You've just given base down a defensive adjustment right there. Yeah, I have, yeah. So, you know, it's a tip for Maitland.
00:34:01
Speaker
It's a tip for Bankstown. You know, I live to give. ah But Coach Granger has just replied on Instagram. So very thanks a lot, Will, for replying. Unfortunately, Alexis Plater has done an ACL, gone for 12 months.
00:34:18
Speaker
Poor kid, he put. Yes, definitely. Yeah, and I knew she'd been out for a while, but I i hadn't actually heard the – official news, which is really unfortunate.
00:34:30
Speaker
Yeah, it is really unfortunate, especially because she was having such a good season, like she was, you know, rookie of the year, essentially. Yeah. yeah Yeah. Yeah. Okey-doke. So you're youre you're picking Bankstown for this one?
00:34:46
Speaker
So so sop sorry all Sorry, Maitland. Sorry, Maitland. You know I love you. But, yeah, i've got um I'm going to go Bankstown. In a tight line. Especially that Bankstown.
00:34:59
Speaker
They've got men and women at home on Saturday. So it's going be packed at the Bruins' lair. It's to be a home run advantage. Yeah, it ah could it could almost match up to Maitland home crowd standards. Yeah.
00:35:15
Speaker
I could too. ah Yeah. It's very similar. It's almost like a parallel universe of each other, but one's Metro one's country.
00:35:24
Speaker
ah coach, coach will Granger says extra motivation to win. Now that platter is out. There we go Bless. Um, okay. So I'm going to pick Maitland for that one. ah Okay.
00:35:40
Speaker
so And I picked also sided with COE for the first one. So quarterfinal number one.
Rivalries and Team Performances
00:35:47
Speaker
ah I almost feel like these two teams are slowly developing a rivalry as well because they always seem to meet at ah at some kind of finals matchup.
00:35:58
Speaker
Manly and Albury. Yeah. um yeah Yeah. Yeah. And also Manly-Warringah 18-2. And who was one of those, that two against?
00:36:12
Speaker
Aubrey Wodonga, that's right. So they they met each other only once. Again, another matchup where they've only met each other once in the regular season. and they met all the way back in round three.
00:36:24
Speaker
where Manly played Aubrey in ah the hideout and lost 85 to 78. And it was only one of two losses that Manly have suffered this season.
00:36:36
Speaker
Oh, my gosh, Lockie, this is going to be ah barn burner. It 100% is. And i'm just looking back at the the rosters for that game.
00:36:48
Speaker
the The only really big name I can see missing is probably Annie Henderson for Manly Warringah. Everyone was just about everyone was there. At least, you know, the starting five was all there for Aubrey Wodonga. Yeah.
00:37:02
Speaker
It's, and I mean, yeah, as you mentioned, these teams, are yeah, they're starting to develop a little bit of a little bit of something. I don't know that it's quite at the Canberra Maitland men stage yet, but it, I mean, as I say, if they keep facing each other in big games, it'll get there.
00:37:19
Speaker
it's breing It's brewing. It's brewing. um So, yes, kept the statistics up in another window for this game because something that really stood out to me was the high assist level from Aubrey. They had 21 assists with Katie Jones having eight, ah Riley Lufa having six, and Emma Mahadi having four.
00:37:42
Speaker
They also had a pretty limited bench that game in round three. No Mellington, no Rice. And for Manly... um I would have expected them to win the rebound count this game, but Manly lost the rebound count 49 to 41 probably didn't have the best day from the three-point line. but They only shot at 29%.
00:38:09
Speaker
So that's very unlike Manly as well. But, I mean, at the moment all they do is win, win, win. So that that performance from round three is long gone.
00:38:20
Speaker
ah Oh, 100%. I mean, they've... And, know, the thing is, when you have a 17-game win streak, or... it is Is it 17 or 16? Regardless, it's not like you can say it was all against bottom-of-the-table teams. you You've played just about everyone at this stage.
00:38:37
Speaker
yeah So, yeah, i I mean, this game will... It it will serve as a point of, you know...
00:38:50
Speaker
optimism for all we were donga but i for mainly we're in it is ancient history they they they don't need to worry about ah we got to get revenge on all river donga for beating us let's listen like it's like no it's the one before match up in the finals you you don't need any more motivation particularly with what they're doing and i mean you mentioned uh manly we're ingest three point percentage and i mean you you come into a game where riley look for shoots two of nine and you don't take advantage of that And you don't get many games where Riley looked for shooting 22% from three-point range.
00:39:26
Speaker
So it something like that happens again, Warringah got to take full advantage. Yeah, definitely. And this is the Manly Warringah team who still were able to have a convincing win over North without ah Alex Delaney and without who else was missing that game?
00:39:46
Speaker
But it was a big win. It was a big win. it was It was a big win nonetheless, yes. and Yeah, and not just on the scoreboard. It looked convincing as well. Yeah, that's right.
00:39:58
Speaker
It looked, yeah, it was. ah Oh, it's going to be tough to pick this one.
00:40:06
Speaker
Aubrey have won the last three. As you said, Manly have won the last 16, 17. Yeah.
00:40:18
Speaker
I think I'm going to... disclaimer. When we make these picks, everyone, it's not personal. It's just drag. Yeah, quoting Ruiz Paul Strachan.
00:40:30
Speaker
It's not personal. And we know that we are friends with lots of lovely people in the league. But please don't take our picks as a reflection of how we think of you as a person or a coach, as a player.
00:40:42
Speaker
It is just objective. It's just vibes. it's It's just the vibe, you know, to quote the castle. It's the vibe. So please don't come at us.
00:40:55
Speaker
ah But I'm going to pick, I'm picking Manly for this one. i'm I'm going to pick Manly Warringah as well. um i I mean, I was there on Saturday and there was no Zoe Miller, no Kimberly Dickinson, but...
00:41:14
Speaker
they seemed pretty close to that. I think Kim was more just being managed than anything. um So yeah. And Hey, if we pick against you, we're just giving you motivation.
00:41:26
Speaker
We're just, that's we're big night we're being nice to you. We're, you know, we're firing you up for your game. That's right. That's what CB is to say to us. Well, one or two seasons ago when people wouldn't pick him as an MVP contender, it just used to fire him him up a little bit more.
00:41:41
Speaker
Hmm. But also... Aubrey are just one of those clubs as well that are just really good at, like, getting really tough, gutsy wins. Yeah. And I feel like they'll be a team where if they lose this quarterfinal, they'll bounce back very quickly and, you know, really make a statement when they bounce back. So they just have that really cool culture and history about them ah having really gutsy, tough wins.
00:42:08
Speaker
Yeah. And always weirdly being an underdog despite being so successful. Yeah, and I mean, there are still players on that roster who are burning to put that 20-0 final sweep behind them.
00:42:24
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, if they were to lose this week, I wouldn't want to be the team they play in week two. no No. And if you were a player or a coach, would you prefer um to win and have the week off or?
00:42:39
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Get the win done. Just get it done. Look, 100% chance of making it to week three, of being in week three because you get the win, is still better than you know having to play that that game and maybe get momentum through. Yeah.
00:42:57
Speaker
yeah 100%. Yeah. just poder percent
00:43:00
Speaker
All right. So the last ah quarterfinal for the women's competition is between the Norse Bears and Newcastle Falcons, who finished ah second and third respectively on the ladder.
00:43:13
Speaker
So these two teams actually met twice during the regular season, but at the back end of the regular season and within two weeks yeah of each other. which is a bit odd.
00:43:26
Speaker
ah So they met at round nine, Newcastle winning 84 to 82 at home, and then they met again at round 11 with Norths winning 82 to 76 at home.
00:43:38
Speaker
this This one is also perhaps starting to develop a rivalry because I feel like they've met a couple of times in the finals too. Well, I mean, it's that Manly North and Newcastle have been ever present around the top of the table is the thing, you know, Aubrey Wodonga. Yes.
00:43:57
Speaker
One at finish 20, you know, but they had one season where they dropped back. Sutherland have made two grand finals, but then, you know, they dropped back and now they've missed the finals. Yeah. this year So, you know, those three teams, Manly, Norse, Newcastle, they've been the the absolute, you know, the ones that have been there every single year.
00:44:14
Speaker
And, you know, particularly, you know, now Newcastle just look absolute. And, like, Manly, Norse obviously have a grand final. But, like, it's almost you walk in every year and you expect these three teams to be around the top.
00:44:29
Speaker
And, I mean... What are they? The points differential is four over two games in favor of North. That is tight. But, i mean I mean, there's a few players like Ruby Perkins for North.
00:44:47
Speaker
Apparently, so Sophie Brennan played on the weekend, which I wasn't expecting because I heard that she was done a few weeks ago. I thought someone told her she ACL. I... se o i Don't know. i did I heard rest of the season. I didn't hear what?
00:45:04
Speaker
Yeah, that's... No, you're right. You're right. We did hear rest of the season. We didn't. That's right. I think I just... When I hear rest of the season, I just assume ACL because... Well, the problem is when there's only three weeks left is when there's only three weeks left in the season, that could just be like a slight twinge.
00:45:19
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, that's true. But ACLs have also been the most popular injury since COVID. Yeah. So, yeah. I shouldn't say popular, the most occurring injury.
00:45:32
Speaker
Yes. Because it's not popular. People don't want to have to a pop their ACL. ah No, absolutely not. No. All right. Wow. So good that Sophie Brennan's back on court. I think the one difference I found as well in personnel between these two teams was and between the two rounds that they played, is that Izzy Morgan played for Norths in the round 11 game where Norths won at home.
00:45:55
Speaker
But we did also notice that she went down with injury when we reviewed that one of their games too. So question mark, any news on Izzy Morgan? I'm pretty sure I saw her name since then.
00:46:10
Speaker
Just check this weekend. Yeah, almost certain I saw her name. And I think also I've seen her in a couple of photos at future Flames camps and and meet and yes kind of press releases. However, as we know, even if you've got some kind of injury and you can't do full weight bearing or contact, you can still do some training.
00:46:34
Speaker
Yeah, no, she played 16. More handling and partying. She played 16 minutes against Penrith on the weekend. So definitely back. I'm sure I saw her name. and Yeah, definitely back. Awesome. That's good. So maybe just making a way back as well against Penrith, not risking anything. So that would be great to see Izzy back on the court as well.
00:46:52
Speaker
um And Ruby Perkins as well will be back from U19s just in time. And obviously Coach Garland. but Yeah, that's a big in.
00:47:03
Speaker
That's a big in. um But also the North, um no Jolene Anderson either because she's now retired and gone back home. Newcastle, though, ah don't know who's doing their strength and conditioning and recovery and nutrition.
00:47:18
Speaker
But aside from Sophie Brennan, they have had consistently a very healthy roster. So, like, props to them. built Ladies are looking after themselves.
00:47:30
Speaker
Yeah. I think Brennan and Habas have been the only two. And Brennan's back. I mean... meg jefferson just keeps pushing through she had a great weekend uh nicole munger obviously did with her 41 and 13. just stared at casual performance yeah yeah just just a casual 41 and 13. we should have started counting how many 40 point plus games she's gonna have in her nbr one east i don't have that i don't have that many fingers and toes but
00:48:02
Speaker
ah This one is really, really hard for me to pick, to be honest. um It is going to be at Norths. but Perhaps the home court advantage is going to be the edge. Yeah, and I think... um I mean... i think that's true, and I also think Norths... I know they lost to Manly, but I just feel like they're they're primed at the moment to to get it.
00:48:29
Speaker
Yeah. Newcastle, I mean, their problem isn't injuries. It's losing players for, but lot you know, one or two injuries. And then Hannah Chicken's gone to college. So, you know, that's that's an out they've had to deal with. And they've dealt with it, obviously, really well.
00:48:46
Speaker
But... um Yeah, you've got players like um Emma Donnelly in recent weeks has been absolutely, especially in the last couple of weeks, think she 25 in one game and 12 in the other this week.
00:48:59
Speaker
You have players like Peggy Schell stepping up and then you've got you know Morgan, Bygate, Wills chipping in off the bench. um I think North's in a tight one here. But as always, the Munger factor is so...
00:49:17
Speaker
It's because we know that she can turn any game on a dime. Yeah. um Yeah, this one is a really, really tight one.
00:49:28
Speaker
But, yeah, just going back to Peggy Schell as well. She's someone who's been in the NBL1 squad for a while, and admittedly I've never watched her play youth league. so I was really keen to see what she could do, and now she's just having this breakout season. and I was like, oh, okay, this is why we should get excited for Peggy Schell.
00:49:47
Speaker
Do not sleep on Peggy Schell. It's funny. I went down to Sutherland had a bit of like a youth league blitz um before before the season. And um Sutherland were playing, but I already know everyone at Sutherland. So went and watched Comets and Norths youth league play out on court three. And Ruby Perkins and Peggy Schell were playing.
00:50:10
Speaker
And Ruby was just throwing dimes to Peggy for fun all day. And the Comets players come off court and they're like, what are we doing? We're getting smoked. And the coach is just like, that's Ruby Perkins and Peggy Schell. They're going to do that to literally everybody.
00:50:26
Speaker
Don't worry about it. Yes, they don't feel too bad, but like and you it was like He basically said, if you take them out of the game, you're doing great. And to be fair, they were. But Ruby Perkins in youth league, I mean...
00:50:41
Speaker
we In youth league pre-season, no less. what What do you expect? So, yes. um Yeah, watching him in Youth League was ah something different, that's for sure. But watching him in NBL1 and Peggy especially, because I feel like like, yeah, like you said, she's been around for so long, but I feel like there's... Every season, the Norse have a player that gets a lot of hype, a young player, and Peggy might always be like the second have been like the second young player.
00:51:14
Speaker
So she doesn't get as much hype as everyone else. But now she's just blossomed into a, you know, ah startup. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. She's been great getting on the boards. um I think just looking at the statistics from the last game and considering that Izzy Morgan is likely to play for Norths,
00:51:33
Speaker
I think I'm going tip Norse as well because as as you know, superhuman as Manga is and we know that she's going have an outstanding game, I think it just heavily relies on everyone else also trying to have some of their best games versus the depth of Norse.
00:51:55
Speaker
I'm going to side with, go with Norse for that one. There we go. All right, so that we've we've tipped COE, you've tipped Bankstown, I've tipped Maitland, we've both tipped Manly, and we've both tipped Norse for the women. So can't wait till we're proven wrong in a week, though.
00:52:16
Speaker
ah Well, one of us is going to get one right. I've gone chalk. That's such a cop-out move, Lockie. I've gone favourite. I've gone the highest seed in every game. You don't win your March Madness bracket-picking favourites every game.
00:52:29
Speaker
Well, I don't think that was intentional, though. think that was just coincidental. I think that's just how it happened. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Let's get into the men's finals now. So this is an elimination final we didn't anticipate.
00:52:44
Speaker
It's Bankstown Bruins versus Sutherland Sharks, who placed fifth and eighth, respectively. Also... also Going to sound like a broken record. But two teams who have only met once during the regular season.
00:52:58
Speaker
They met once in round three where the Sharks won 83-66 at home. The Sharks had Kawat Noy and Jason Spurgeon.
00:53:09
Speaker
Bankstown did not have Galloway at this time. So I feel like they played so long ago ah Bankstown have continued to grow and evolve. They've added Galloway. He's in the mix.
00:53:21
Speaker
Everyone else is. Borland, Sutherland have kind of hit some rocky waters and found themselves in eighths. So I think this is going to be like a game from a clean slate for both teams. Georgia's River Rumble.
00:53:37
Speaker
in an elimination final. And it's not just that the Bankstown didn't
Team Dynamics and Improvements
00:53:41
Speaker
have Galloway. They didn't have this version of Galloway. Because he he started a little little slowly. i think think even he would probably accept that. But now it's a different it's a different story, Jalen Galloway. And as I said earlier, the Sharks, you can't go from beating yeah being Illawarra to then losing to um losing to Inner West.
00:54:08
Speaker
It's, you know, so you look at their last game, lost to Inner West. they Yeah, lost to Inner West last game. Previous game before that was lose, was beat Illawarra.
00:54:21
Speaker
And then just get a over Aubrey-Wodonga, but lose to Newcastle. but that's why That's why they're in eighth and not the fifth that they could have been.
00:54:31
Speaker
Because they've had and that three-game skid earlier in the season. They lost to Newcastle in the West games that... I mean, we know Newcastle have been even more up and down than Sutherland have. But still, it...
00:54:46
Speaker
And 100% all just depends on which Sutherland comes out. Is it the team that came out against Inner West and didn't and you know Jason Spurgeon finished with one point and Kuat Noy scored 26, but it took him 27 shots to get there?
00:54:59
Speaker
Or is it going to be the team that put 46 on Illawarra in a quarter last weekend? Now, do you feel like, based on what you summarise, Sutherland men sound like the type of team who are playing the style of game of their opposition rather than focusing on their own game. So, you know, sometimes you have a high-caliber team who get who play a lower-ranked team and they get caught up in, like, the sloppy play and become complacent and they end up playing the other team's game and they're then always going to lose. is it Is that a case for the Sutherland Shark men?
00:55:35
Speaker
Squinn, I'm going to have to ask you to stop eavesdropping on our conversations at the commentary desk off air. da Jeez, it's like I'm psychic or something. i promise that wasn't scripted either. That wasn't scripted. That wasn't a bit.
00:55:50
Speaker
That has just happened naturally. ah Sometimes, yeah. Sometimes they do. um Sometimes they you know they get up for big games and sometimes it takes them a little bit to kind of get into it and they...
00:56:03
Speaker
um Yeah, it does sometimes just feel like they do just, yeah, get almost lulled into playing how the opposition want them to play. And they've got, obviously, they've got so many players who can...
00:56:18
Speaker
um He can take a game by the scruff of the neck. And, I mean, you can't say it's because we're integrating a new piece in Taylor Young because he has slotted right in. He's doing even more than we originally – I originally talked to Coach Sean Roger about him. He's doing even more than that.
00:56:35
Speaker
um So, yeah. um They just – yeah, they need to come out. Maybe – honestly, maybe finals will be the best thing for them. just need Just knowing that they've just got to come out and you know be aggressive. And for four weeks straight, they've just got to come out and play absolutely aggressive, intense basketball. And it might be the best thing for them.
00:57:01
Speaker
Yeah, they have to rise to the occasion in the same way that they played the high-caliber Illawar Hawks and rose that occasion and won twice. We saw this happen, though, with the Sutherland men two seasons ago. They also just made finals.
00:57:15
Speaker
They happened to rise to the occasion. Their chemistry was on point at the right time. They ended up with a championship. Exactly. that Sutherland and Maitland, fifth and seventh on the table. Yeah. You know, Southern winning there and smoked North in that first week game and then just rode through and won it all.
00:57:34
Speaker
And honestly, ah you said it. Rise to the occasion. But, yeah, that game where two seasons ago where they smoked North in that elimination final, that was, like, scary.
00:57:49
Speaker
They were scary good. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. ah So hopefully the Sutherland Sharks will bring their scary good game against Bankstown Bruins, but Bankstown are also just going strength to strength to strength.
00:58:02
Speaker
We have said on the record in a previous episode, especially when we interviewed Jason Kadee, that we had faith this Bankstown team could make finals, but I did not expect them to make fifth. So I'm pretty chuffed for them that they've made fifth. What do you think they've got to do to secure the win?
00:58:22
Speaker
Keep doing, keep like six players in double figures. I mean, we just said we don't want the ah Sharks to get to ah go into another team style of play, but. Beat the Sharks at their own game. Have plenty of guys scoring. Have multiple options.
00:58:37
Speaker
Ensure, you know, everyone's going to have to step up and, you know, take their opportunities. But, I mean, you've just... We said at the start of the season, you're adding Galloway and Caddy to a pretty good starting lineup. they They had a starting lineup that got to eighth last year.
00:58:52
Speaker
Yes, they they lost Hightower, but... adding those two players we know they've got the options they are on absolute fire and they haven't been it's not all you know scrubs they've been beaten they have been beating beat central coast they beat manly they beat the gunners um know they dominated penrith they they put 130 on maitland and the preview after beating hills by 39 the previous night so you know And they don't put the cue in the rack, as you can tell. you know They're just going to keep coming at you.
00:59:26
Speaker
um you know Kadee, he's more than just a veteran leader. He is producing, as you would fully expect of a player of his caliber. I mean, it's not like he's walking in after five years retired from NBL. He's still got his legs under him.
00:59:44
Speaker
And yeah, just...
00:59:49
Speaker
Team performance. like you And I think what's good about Bankstown is their players are happy to let the stars shine and also put up decent... And, you know, defer to the star when it's the right moment and make your own move when it's the right moment.
01:00:10
Speaker
It could be... And Kadee still... Kadee still got capacity to go up a level. Exactly. You know, it could be... 35 for Galloway or Cadet or and then 10 or 12 across the board or it could be five guys score 18.
01:00:26
Speaker
They'll do what they need to do because they've got guys there like Andre Walford we know what you know what he can do but also what he will do when the time you know when the time comes I think this is a team who culture culturally through the last three seasons, particularly the last two seasons, this is a team who want to win by committee. they po their they've They've got a lot of talented players. They're all putting their egos aside try and just win whatever way possible. And they don't care who scores the 35 points that game. As long as they win as a team at the end, they don't care how it's done.
01:01:05
Speaker
So I think that is always going to have an edge and an advantage, especially at home coming finals time. But we've just got a a comment here on Instagram live from James Mullen, who is one half of Two Feet in the Paint.
01:01:21
Speaker
Says, Bankstown also have some of the best commentators in the league. That's got to help. But, oh, well, yeah, I guess. But, yeah, if Sutherland were at home, they'd win.
01:01:35
Speaker
Yeah, by that logic, Sutherland were at home, they'd win, yeah. Yeah, okay. Yeah. I think that's ah a forward and backward, a bi-directional complement. Yeah. um All right. but I might have might have to take my spare headset down to base down and try to barge my way in and on that case.
01:01:52
Speaker
and okay so Well, I mean, look, from experience, commentating with a panel of three when you've got a good play-by-play, like someone like Caleb can be really, really fun if you just assign a team each. You can be the Sutherland Sharks expert.
01:02:07
Speaker
SJ could be the Bankstown expert. You've got Caleb in the middle to moderate. I reckon that's a pretty great lineup given that you are the home commentator for Sutherland. SJ has been the home commentator for Bankstown.
01:02:20
Speaker
Like, that name about a better trio.
01:02:25
Speaker
Can't do it. like Make it happen. make it Well, I've already put my feelers out around the way, so I can't commit to anything yet. I do have the weekend off because we are, as we will get into one of the other games later.
01:02:37
Speaker
Oh, okay. Of course. Of course. Well, let's roll on. Now, are you willing to put, take a punt on who's going to win this game between Bankstown and Sutherland? I like being able to go to Sutherland basketball stadium.
01:02:49
Speaker
So I'm tipping the sharks. Very good choice. I'm going to tip Bankstown and I hope I don't jinx them.
01:02:58
Speaker
I really hope I don't because I really and really want them to have that dream run and win. So let's go. let's go Bruins. Okay, next elimination final in the men's competition is the Norse Bears and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. You cannot write a better script.
01:03:14
Speaker
Who came sixth and seventh, respectively, in the regular season. Like, come on. Talking about rivalries. 100%. The Spitbridge Stouch. theyva You know, they split it this year, so one apiece, round three. Who'll get it? It's a...
01:03:32
Speaker
Been really interesting because, I mean, um there's been big, big performances in both games. You know, Mason Bragg went off massively in the Manly win. He had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals.
01:03:45
Speaker
And then when Norse won, Hunter Goodrick had 27 and 17. But you know who was solid in both games with 20-plus points? Preston Purifoy. Oh, interesting, because he's sometimes been, you know, little bit up and down, sometimes doesn't get enough touches in a game to give him scoring opportunities, sometimes isn't hitting it from the arc like you normally would. But if he's consistent against Norths, that is a big X factor for Manly.
01:04:15
Speaker
Sorry, who was the other Manly player that you mentioned before? Mason Bragg. Mason Bragg. Oh, sorry, you mean Quicksilver. Oh, yeah. Yeah, sorry. Quicksilver. Oh, yeah. Sorry. Sorry.
01:04:26
Speaker
Thinking of the same guy. Yeah.
01:04:30
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, man. my And Mason Bragg, he obviously consistently and excellent performer both seasons back to back now for Manly. But something about him this season, he's also just gone up another level. Like, I feel like he's playing with a lot more desperation and a lot more to give.
01:04:50
Speaker
Have you noticed the same thing? Yeah, I think there's a little bit of unfinished business up there at the, uh, at the Eagles nest. And I think he's, uh, he certainly knows that he can, uh, I mean, especially, you know, you're the star, you're from interstate, you're running the show at the point, you know, you really want to, you know, try and, try and, you know, lead the team to victory in more, in more ways than one.
01:05:12
Speaker
So definitely think he's, uh, he's definitely up for it. And, uh, you know, they had to do it the hard way just to, you know, secure this spot, Manly Warringah, but they got there in the end and um really look, I, I hate to say, you know, I really want Manly to win it or i really want Norse to win it. Cause I think they both have, um,
01:05:34
Speaker
Reasons to watch them make a deep run, um especially with Norse with like Austin Patterson coming in later. I'd like to see them make a deep run. But I i think mainly, yeah, they do have a bit of unfinished business from last year.
01:05:46
Speaker
And having brought back, mean, Matty Eldridge is back. I legitimately sometimes forget he's an import. ah Bragg's back. um They got Purify there instead of Harper. But for the most part, there's a lot of players there that have been around for a while now.
01:06:02
Speaker
Yeah, so like just going back to their regular season history as well. So they played in route very early, round two, where Manly won at home 80 to 61. Then in round 12 they played again and Norse won at home 90 to 79 and that's when Austin Patterson was in the rotation by then and he had 17 points and 10 assists in that particular game when they won.
01:06:28
Speaker
Norse have four of their last five games. Manly have won three of their last five games, including the huge win over COE. Norse are coached by Tom Garlop.
01:06:40
Speaker
Manly is coached by Tim Hill. I mean, we can't split this anymore. No, we cannot. That is elite coaching.
01:06:52
Speaker
And it's it's just so, so close. our course
01:07:00
Speaker
Okay. So, okay. James Mullen has said on Instagram live, he feels that Goodrick and Patterson have been incredible for North, but the North secret sauce is their guard depth with Jung, Robbie Moore, Waiter and Weinstein.
01:07:14
Speaker
I definitely think that is a talented pool of guards there for Norths. Weicher particularly and Jung particularly being anchors for the team when Norths start to go a little bit wayward.
01:07:28
Speaker
Interesting to see what version of Iggy Mitchell we're going to get on the day as well. But I think in terms of when you go for guard depth pound for pound,
01:07:40
Speaker
How those guys from Norse act like contributing at the moment? Because I know I haven't really watched this Norse team since the start of the season because they were a little bit shaky for me for the first half of the season and I haven't watched a lot. But how have the likes of Jung and Moore been producing?
01:08:01
Speaker
Well, I mean... like far Moore, Jung and Weicher all sit between 17 and 25 minutes a game and all average between 6.7 and 8.2 points per game. So it's pretty like even even spread across the board as to what each of them um contributes. I will say Matty Weicher though puts up more than double the assist of either of the other two uh 3.4 assists per game in 25 minutes mikey young 1.5 assists in 21 minutes per game so uh weights are definitely the most uh statistically anyway the most uh productive but and also a pretty solid defender
01:08:47
Speaker
at um I mean, the guard depth is there. um Definitely. 100% agree with you, James. But it's it's pretty evenly spread.
01:08:57
Speaker
um So it's not like they have, you know, two of them playing 30 minutes a night you just reach in the back pocket when you need someone. They're already all deep in the rotation. Apart from maybe not as much Weinstein.
01:09:08
Speaker
ah But, I mean, Manly aren't, you know, they're not... you know, they're not exactly running six guys a night kind of thing. There are, they definitely don't reach into the bench as much as North do.
01:09:23
Speaker
But I mean, Jamie Munro has been on a flyer recently. I've seen have a few double figure games and really step up, you know, in recent weeks.
01:09:34
Speaker
So yes, I think, I think North guard depth is certainly tick in that column for them over Manly Warringah. I,
01:09:46
Speaker
I don't know if it'll be the ace in the hole, but it's definitely a nice to have. Yeah, and I think also between Weicha, Jung, Moore, I think the matchups from Manly against those three, I think Manly may have a bit of an advantage. Please correct me if I'm wrong as well.
01:10:08
Speaker
Manly may have a bit of advantage in terms of size and length. So wonder if that's going to give them an edge as well in terms of rebounding count and things like that too. Definitely. I mean, yeah, it's North has definitely got the quickness and, yeah, Manly, yeah definitely got a little bit of the size and speed advantage.
01:10:31
Speaker
So when it comes to picking a winner out of this one, I think it's okay to sit on the fence for at least one, and that's what I'm going to do for this matchup. I'm sitting on the fence. I can't pick this one.
01:10:43
Speaker
Who are you going to go with? Who am I going to go with? ah I really wish I had my spreadsheet. ah yeah I haven't updated it with the finals matchups yet. Oh, no. What's he done?
01:10:58
Speaker
um That's okay. I mean, you can take
01:11:05
Speaker
No, I am going to go... I'm going to go Hunter Goodrick to continue on to do what he did last time against Manly and have a big one at North to just eke it out.
01:11:21
Speaker
Tear it apart. Side note, when is an NBL team going to sign Hunter Goodrick?
01:11:28
Speaker
Sometime between now and the end of August, hopefully. Surely. He's got to at least be in contention for a DP spot somewhere. Surely. Definitely. Come on.
01:11:39
Speaker
what ah biggest kept secret all right uh rolling on to the quarterfinal number one between the illawarra hawks and the sydney comets hawks finishing first comets finishing fourth oh yoo this one has got me shook and i'm glad it's a quarterfinal and not an elimination final Losing either of these teams at this stage of the competition would kind of do the league a disservice just for entertainment purposes as well.
01:12:10
Speaker
ah It looks like Bawali Bales and Hickey, think, are going to be back from Summer League by then. yeah ah Summer League's over.
Players' Impact and Team Changes
01:12:19
Speaker
so they will be they are available as long as they're back in the country.
01:12:23
Speaker
um Yes, because sometimes, you know, people like to have a holiday and whatnot after Summer League or whatever. Yeah, I don't think, i don't think Bawali and Devo are doing that. ah Side note, did you see that there was a great picture of Devo Hickey in the locker room during one of the Summer League games and on the ground he had his Sydney Comets hoodie?
01:12:43
Speaker
Yes, I did see that. Love it, love it. Love that. Yes. um So, yeah, Bales, Hickey, they're going to be back for the Sydney Comets. My question mark for Illawarra, is CJ Moran going to be back? Because someone needs to get a handle on Ovi Chay.
01:13:00
Speaker
I'm not 100% sure. I thought I saw Illawarra post that he'd be back for finals, but I don't know if that means week one. Hmm. Finals.
01:13:12
Speaker
Finals goes for a number of weeks. So, yeah. It certainly does. can't have that open-ended. Yeah. the the Actually, back on Comets, I mean, how's how is Bawali? Because he got helped off court in his last summer league game.
01:13:26
Speaker
Yeah, that's a good question too, actually. um yeah Yeah. Will it be ah a case of, us you know, like in Varsity Blues where he just takes some painkillers and away he goes. He's just got to do what it takes to get a win. But...
01:13:40
Speaker
I think he's got to think of the – if he's got a serious injury, you'll have to be thinking of the longevity of his body and his career. Yes. um Yes, so big question mark if Moran's going to be back for um for Illawarra Hawks. Yes, because someone needs to take care of OBJ.
01:14:00
Speaker
ah This is another matchup where these two teams have only met once in the regular season, and it was long, long, long ago in round two. It was the dumbest game of the season.
01:14:12
Speaker
It was the dumbest game of the season. Sorry, it wasn't the dumbest game of the season. It was Comets I called it. was that It was at Comets. Illawarra led thirty four to fourteen after a quarter, and then or more.
01:14:27
Speaker
comets won the second court at twenty eight eleven so it was forty five forty two at half time and both teams have won a quarter by seventeen or more
01:14:40
Speaker
Yeah, and that it was almost like they got in the group chat and did that by design. It's like, oh do you want to make this really interesting? Let's do it like this. and one And then the second half will really play.
01:14:51
Speaker
Yeah, it 100% felt like that a little bit. It was a ridiculous game. But Comets, I mean, Comets, early season with without Bawali and Dayboat.
01:15:06
Speaker
is a little different to Comet's late season without Bawali and Debo. Um, I felt they were better in early season without the pairing than they have been after they've left.
01:15:19
Speaker
But of course, none of that matters if they're both there because we saw what we did. They did in the few weeks when they were both there.
01:15:29
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. Uh, and, um, Illawarra didn't have Lockie Dent either in round two. So that's got to be, you know, that extra secret sauce there for Illawarra Hawks.
01:15:40
Speaker
But yeah, round two, again, like we said with Bankstown and Sutherland, it's essentially a clean slate here for Illawarra Hawks and Comets. They've both gone through roster changes.
01:15:52
Speaker
ah They played so long ago. this is just like a brand new game of two very newish or different teams. ah Are you confident with picking one or the other?
01:16:04
Speaker
i i Look, honestly, this this is not just a I commentate for comments. the If Bawali and Davo are there, I'm going comments.
01:16:16
Speaker
Honestly, I'm going comments too. Even though I have picked Illawarra Hawks to win the whole competition, i think in this matchup on this day, i think it's comments because, yeah,
01:16:27
Speaker
Bilali and Devo are going to be back and they're going to be rolling and on a high from Summer League, as they should be because they deserve it. That's going to be infectious, hopefully. Hopefully it would it will keep egos in check, though.
01:16:41
Speaker
If egos aren't in check for either the team, Yeah. They're going to be at risk of losing. um i think if the Hawks don't have Moran to take care of Obi-Che, that's going to be an issue. And I worry that the Hawks are going to be a little bit too casual coming into this game and just get get blindsided.
01:17:01
Speaker
Big call, Squint. The Hawks do have one big X factor, though.
01:17:09
Speaker
Blanchfield? The bar overlooking the court. Oh gosh, of course I haven't factored in that this is going to be at the snake pit. Oh, that's yeah.
01:17:20
Speaker
Oh my gosh. Especially Bawali and Devo having history of playing at the Hawks. I mean, Devo's going back to the Hawks for the NBL season, right?
01:17:32
Speaker
um I did not factor... in the home crowd at the Illawarra Hawks. So, oh, that is tough.
01:17:42
Speaker
um
01:17:45
Speaker
And two pretty good coaches as well.
01:17:50
Speaker
I don't That's tough. And because there is question mark over Bawali if he got helped off the court with an injury. Well, i think I'm still going to go Comets.
01:18:04
Speaker
There we go. Lock it in. Yeah, lock it in. Okay, okay. We got there in the end. Again, excited to be proven wrong next week. ah and The final quarterfinal is the second game of your very appropriately titled game.
01:18:24
Speaker
capital punishment between the COE men and the camera gunners who placed second and third respectively after the regular season. They have played twice in the regular season in round four and nine, similarly to the women's teams that we previewed before.
01:18:41
Speaker
Canberra winning the in round four, 91-87, and COE winning in round nine, 85-75. Lockie, some personnel changes as well, perhaps, for COE ahead of the and ah quarterfinal.
01:18:58
Speaker
ah Well, is there been news in the last week or just in general? I think in general, like for me, I had question marks over Furphy and Fennell because I know Furphy is due to go to college because he's going to Yukon. So I thought I wasn't sure if he'd left by now.
01:19:25
Speaker
And Fennell as well, I thought was perhaps of a similar age group. um So I wasn't too sure if they will be suiting up. And the other thing is I know that a large group ah portion of this COE roster just recently played at the U19 FIBA World Cup in Switzerland.
01:19:47
Speaker
But in the meantime, it looks like ah some of them have again, gone to an NBA Global Academy camp overseas, which I think they did last year, but with the U17s.
01:19:57
Speaker
Yeah. We had U17s and then a Global Academy camp and now heading into finals. So, it's a lot again, a lot of basketball played in a short period of time.
01:20:08
Speaker
for this men's program, but um I'm just cut not too sure who's actually graduated. The one name that is there who performed very well, he had 20 points in round four and 28 in round nine and 22 last week against Manly Warringah, Shea Brogan.
01:20:32
Speaker
Oh, yeah, Shea Brogan, who is the son of Opal's legend, Michelle Brogan. um Yes, he is there. So looking at their website, their current COE athletes listed on the Basketball Australia website is ah Guaba, Shea Brogan, Indy Cotton, Alexander Dickerson, ah James, is it Merwa?
01:20:58
Speaker
i think it would be Merva. Merva? yeah ah Jack Nyon, Flynn, Pavley, Marcus Vaughns. That's the only male athletes that's listed. I mean, they do have seven foot four John Cush Mack in there as well.
01:21:20
Speaker
um i mean, Alex Dickinson. Nash Walker? ah Nash Walker, yes, he's still there. He's captaining the side. So um still i mean they still have an elite roster. i mean, um But – and Alex Dickerson had 15, 12, and 9 against Maitland on Saturday with three steals as well.
01:21:40
Speaker
So, I mean, these kids, they can all still hoop. um I mean, yes, the likes of Furphy and Fennell. Furphy – yeah, Furphy had 25 alongside Brogan's 28 in the game that COE won.
01:21:54
Speaker
um
01:21:58
Speaker
So, yeah, based on the roster – the roster That played in round 15 is what Nash Walker, Alexander Dickerson, Mading Kawane, Shea Brogan, Jack Nyon.
01:22:10
Speaker
Oh, yeah, so Rorakor's gone. Yeah. Emmett Adair, Furphy, Fennell, they are both both gone.
01:22:21
Speaker
ah Rio Bruton has been added to the COE roster. um So, yeah, a lot of young blood at the end of the – for the tail end of the season and for finals. But still lots of talent.
01:22:33
Speaker
Rio had 18 against Maitland on the weekend, though. So – but I think that coming up against a Canberra team that is grown men, and I mean legitimately grown men.
01:22:52
Speaker
Yeah. when they're the younger players coming through there are still some of the like older players in that have been there for a season a bit like brogan dickerson um that's what gets tough especially in the men's game is the physicality coming up against a team like canberra uh and i think it i mean canberra they've they've had their their ups and downs but they've won four of their last five um so And they still finished 15-5, same as COE.
01:23:26
Speaker
So, honestly, i think I think Canberra will do this one. Me too. And, like, 100% no disrespect to the likes of Walker, Dickerson, Brogan, because we're fans.
01:23:40
Speaker
But if you get MVP Mayfield on the day of a quarterfinal, like, he's eaten it up. Yeah. And I don't think the likes of Walker, Brogan, Dickerson are going to be able to contain an MVP Mayfield.
01:23:59
Speaker
No. And ah Glenn Morrison played on the weekend. Cameron Bender had 20 rebounds against Maitland on the weekend in 26 minutes.
01:24:12
Speaker
Glenn Morrison had 15 11. ah
01:24:17
Speaker
Luke Pender's back, so that's good. Yeah, he's been back for he's been back for a couple of weeks now, which is really good. Very good, very good. it's like If they get that Canberra team that usually shows up in finals,
01:24:34
Speaker
that's really tough to stop.
01:24:38
Speaker
And the the problem with being COE is, yes, it's your home game, but... the opposition of the ones who have all the fans in Canberra. Canberra fans are still going to show up to the basketball and netball centre the AIS.
01:24:54
Speaker
Yeah. It's going to feel like one of those rare occasions, are odd occasions where your home game feels like an away game. Yeah. Yeah. A hundred percent. It reminds me, it's going to be like, reminds of the early days of the and NWSL where teams would legitimately say, we're playing against Alex Morgan this week.
01:25:12
Speaker
Come and watch. because Alex Morgan was the most popular women's soccer player in the world. And you'd turn up for a game and the opposition... and wouldn't even be against cheering against you or for the opposition. They should be cheering for one opposition player.
01:25:29
Speaker
But it's going to be... Yeah, obviously there's going more Canberra fans there. but have to roll in Might have to roll in the temporary bleachers from U20 Nationals for the training hall courts.
01:25:42
Speaker
Yeah, why not? Why not? Just pack it. Pack the arena. Yeah. Like the good old days. so All right, so we're both tipping Canberra to win that quarterfinal. Okay, very good. So for the men's final, you've picked Sutherland. I've picked Bankstown for the first elimination final.
01:26:02
Speaker
The second elimination final. Wait, did you end up picking Norths? Yeah, I did. I also put my – I stuck my neck out and said Hunter Goodrick to dominate. so Yes, and I sat on the fence.
01:26:16
Speaker
ah Yeah, I took the easy way out and sat on the fence with that one. ah Quarterfinal number one between Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Comets. We've both picked Comets away. Big call from us.
01:26:28
Speaker
And quarterfinal number two, COE versus Canberra Gunners with both – we have both picked Canberra Gunners for the win. Woo! It's going to be ah hell of a weekend. I'm pretty grateful that some of my commentating duties now have wrapped up, that I can proper watch these games.
01:26:49
Speaker
We've still got one more round of NBL One North here next weekend of the regular season before we get into finals. ah But, yeah, I think I'm just going to have to have multiple screens with multiple games on simultaneously. It's...
01:27:03
Speaker
it's um there is There is a 1pm and a 3pm tip, so you can stagger it a little bit, which is good. yeah c o e The two COE Canberra games are at 1pm and 3pm on the Saturday. so Cool. And then there's a whole lot at 7 o'clock.
Game Predictions and Logistics
01:27:20
Speaker
So if you had to pick only one women's game to watch this finals weekend and one men's game to watch, which games would you choose? I would pick on the men's side...
01:27:36
Speaker
I would pick
01:27:40
Speaker
Illawarra Comets.
01:27:43
Speaker
I think the atmosphere down there in the snake pit is going to be off the chart. And even if the game is not as good as some others, it's going to be good, but even if it's not quite up there with some others, I think you'll feel the atmosphere through the stream.
01:28:00
Speaker
They're have, it'll be packed. It'll be packed up on those top boxes, the bar. People will be hanging over, shouting things. Please, please keep it PG at most, whatever you say.
01:28:13
Speaker
Yes, please keep it PG. Not even PG, just G. Just G. I'm not going to give you any wiggle room to go to PG. Just G. Yeah. Not you, as in like them. No, them. No, don't worry. I won't be at Illawarra. Don't worry about that.
01:28:31
Speaker
And on the women's side, i mean, you can't go wrong with either of the qualifying finals. They're both going to be electric games. But I think Manly versus Aubrey Wodonga, that's the one to watch.
01:28:49
Speaker
As we said, a little bit of history there. Aubrey Wodonga, you know, they'll want to put one over Manly, just put one over the league after last year.
01:28:59
Speaker
And I think they're, I mean, Riley Lutford's only two weeks removed from a 55-point game or however many weeks is. I know. Excuse me, Elijah Pepper.
01:29:11
Speaker
Poor Riley, I think, just got that record and you had to go and break it within two weeks. So rude. know, right? So rude. Gosh. Audacity of some people.
01:29:22
Speaker
um We kid, we kid. But it was actually really unfortunate that she achieved the record in such fashion. And she subbed herself out once she got there.
01:29:36
Speaker
Oh. And then here comes Elijah. He was already on the berth of breaking the record so many times this season and he had to do it two weeks after Riley. Ah, jeez.
01:29:49
Speaker
um all right so i would agree with those picks i just feel like the in the women's competition manly and albury is going to just be a little bit more of an interesting game in a sense of um i guess the it's kind of the history of the teams the style of play the the the trajectory two very good coaches again um Yes. Not that the other games don't have very good coaches, but this game does.
01:30:17
Speaker
Yes, of course, of course. But I think you're right. Styles make fights, and I think these two teams match up. its It's two teams that play very enjoyable to watch basketball as well.
01:30:29
Speaker
Yeah, and and I just think the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Comets game and the men's competition has just got the the high stakes and the – probably the high caliber of trickery and and things that we're going to see that we can't believe in that particular game. So I would agree with those two picks. That would probably be my picks the litter as well.
01:30:52
Speaker
um So there we have it. ah Do we dare put our predictions on Instagram, Lockie? No. if you want the predictions, you've got to watch or listen. You've got to watch or listen. Only the true fans get the predictions.
01:31:08
Speaker
Yeah, I think that's fair. I think that's fair. Because um all right the only only the true fans are the ones I want to hear criticisms from. Yeah, and that's fair. You know what? I like that point.
01:31:19
Speaker
It looks like we've just had a few people join us on Instagram Live. So hello to those that have joined us at the tail end of the episode. But if you can still hear us and you would like to chime in with any predictions for the weekend or if you've got any questions for us before we wrap up, now is your time.
01:31:37
Speaker
to enter it in the chat and we'll try and get to it if possible. But yeah, like you said, Lockie, while we give people some time to perhaps um ask some questions if they feel like it, you mentioned that the NBL1 East finals are held on what date?
01:31:53
Speaker
Saturday, August sixteenth ah in Penrith again. Yes. at Penrith Valley regional sports center. And I also believe JPL junior premier league finals are on at Penrith that weekend.
01:32:06
Speaker
So maybe get out there early, watch some of the future stars. Or is that just, that's just me. No, go for it. ah my My head went to the logistical nightmare of having so many basketballers and families in the one area and how much accommodation is going to be able to go around for and parking and things like that. That's where my head went.
01:32:32
Speaker
Well, fortunately, it's all on one day. It's not like Waratah where you do need to get accommodation. You can be in and out on the one day for NBL one finals. That's true. That is true. And hopefully a lot of the juniors will stick around to watch the NBL1 final so they can, you know, see the pathway that they're on. um We did have a chat here from a question here from Sammy Mack in the chat.
01:32:57
Speaker
Just got home from training. What did you talk about? Well, you know what, Sammy Mack? You're going to have to listen to the episode to find out. Yeah. it um I think that's ah more or less the ah episode now, Lockie. Have you got any final thoughts?
01:33:14
Speaker
I don't have a final thought. I have a final shout out to an absolute legend, a friend of mine, one of the loveliest human beings i have ever met and supplier of a St. Mary's jersey to my collection.
01:33:30
Speaker
Jasmine Forkadeau, who has announced her, in quotation marks, retirement from basketball and just went and dropped 31 points in her last game.
01:33:43
Speaker
um Jazz, um I mean, I've known you since you were in New South Wales country 18s. um Just an amazing human, an amazing player.
01:33:57
Speaker
um And best of luck with whatever's next, which I'm sure will be art and marriage related. Yeah. So the, I did see that ah announcement as well on the Crusaders social media outlets, just saying, ah you know, Jazz's retirement, hopefully not for too long in brackets. So I'm like, I think that's hinting something, but yes, he's wearing my Crusaders jersey in honor as well. Yeah.
01:34:29
Speaker
But, yeah, great great little shout-out to end the show. ah Again, thanks to everyone for joining us on ESCOT Game. It is good to
Conclusion and Social Media Promotion
01:34:38
Speaker
be back. And remember ah that you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel, all at ESCOT Game.
01:34:46
Speaker
Or you can continue to find our episodes on your preferred streaming platforms. But, Lockie, what do we need to remind the kids? Don't sleep on the east.