NBLxNBL1 Preview (July 21)

Friday, July 21, 2023

Some of your favourite NBL stars will compete in the NBL1 Finals, starting this weekend.

Photo: Ian Knight Photography

The NBL1 conference finals are here - and you guessed it – your NBL favourites will compete for the title.

In the NBL1 North, the top of the ladder Gold Coast Rollers will face eight-placed USC Rip City in what is a grand final rematch from last season.

A tough match-up is brewing for Rip City’s Matt Kenyon and Kouat Noi who, having reached the top eight in the nick of time, will have to take on an in form Jason Cadee and Todd Blanchfield.

Ipswich's NBL trio Nathan Sobey, and Jaylin and Kyrin Galloway will take on Cairns’ Jonah Antonio in a battle of third vs sixth. After receiving the Youth Player of the Year Award and spending time at the NBA Summer League, Jaylin looks primed for an aggressive finals campaign

Down South, Eltham’s Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell will compete in a knock-out Elimination Final. They go up against NBL1 the eighth-placed Waverley Falcons.

NBL1 Central will also have an Elimination Final, with 36ers’ new big Alex Starling's South Adelaide Panthers taking on the Woodville Warriors.

NBL1 East and West are taking part in their final rounds of the regular season, and are yet to reach the post-season stage, but after this weekend - the teams that are through will be determined.

Illawarra's William Hickey and Harry Morris have a tough battle to earn a place in the post-season. They sit at ninth on the ladder, with a crucial win and a spot in the finals at stake.

Sitting somewhat comfortable on the NBL1 West ladder, Gorjok Gak's Willetton Tigers will have two games this weekend to finish out their regular season scheduling. they sit fourth on the ladder and play the SW Slammers and the Geraldton Buccaneers.

To view the finals explainer for each conference, click here.

NBL1 North Quarter-Finals

Saturday – Gold Coast Rollers vs USC Rip City – 7:00pm AEST

Gold Coast Rollers
Jason Cadee
Todd Blanchfield

USC Rip City
Kouat Noi
Matt Kenyon

Saturday – Ipswich Force vs Cairns Marlins – 7:00pm AEST

Ipswich Force
Nathan Sobey
Jaylin Galloway
Kyrin Galloway

Cairns Marlins
Jonah Antonio

Saturday – South West Metro Pirates vs Mackay Meteors – 7:30pm AEST

Mackay Meteors
Isaac White

Saturday – Logan Thunder vs Darwin Salties – 8:00pm AEST

Logan Thunder
Shaun Bruce