Bradley Eyes More National Auccess

The celebrations have continued for the Knox Raiders, but their attention has quickly shifted towards another championship opportunity at this weekend’s NBL1 National Finals.

Knox secured its second consecutive NBL1 South title with an emphatic 80 to 54 victory over the Waverley Falcons at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday.

The Raiders entered the Grand Final as the defending South and National champions and carrying a 15 game winning streak after overcoming the Melbourne Tigers and Sandringham Sabres during the Finals.

After Waverley moved ahead early, Knox quickly took control through its trademark defensive pressure and ability to attack in transition.

The Raiders led by seven points at quarter time and extended the advantage to 45 to 27 by the main break, with 12 of their 26 second quarter points coming on the fast break.

Knox continued to pull away during the second half before scoring the opening eight points of the final quarter to end any hope of a Waverley comeback.

The result completed another dominant NBL1 South campaign for the Raiders and extended their winning streak to 16 games ahead of their trip to Adelaide.

For Paige Bradley, the days following the victory have included plenty of celebration, but also a rapid shift towards the National Finals.

“They’ve been good. After winning, you’re always on a high and definitely riding that high, but in the back of your mind you know you have another tournament and another championship possibility coming the next weekend,” Bradley said.

“Saturday we won, Sunday was more about celebrating and then Monday it was like, ‘Okay, National Finals time.’”

“We have a team practice and a couple of shooting sessions this week, then we turn around and leave on Thursday night.”

“It is a quick turnaround, but we’re excited.”

Bradley was named Grand Final MVP after producing 20 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks while shooting 9 from 14 from the field.

Alicia Froling added 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Agnes Emma Nnopu and Rachel Bell each contributed 11 points as the Raiders once again showcased their depth.

Bradley believes Knox’s success has been built around the continuity of its playing group and a shared willingness to embrace whatever role is required on a given night.

“I would like to say that we have kept a really good core group from last year to this year, and even from my first year at Knox,” she said.

“I think we all love it there. We love being there, everyone’s bought in, and we want to win together and win for each other in everything that we do.”

“It is anyone’s night. One night it might be your job to guard the best player, and another night it might be your job to make your threes.”

“Everybody has bought into that and it doesn’t matter whose night it is.”

“I think that is so important within a team and when you are chasing success. We all want the same goal together.”

Saturday’s performance continued a remarkable run of success for Bradley on the biggest stage.

She was named MVP of the NBL1 South 2025 Grand Final before helping Knox win the National Final and earning MVP honours in the decider.

Her performance against Waverley made it three consecutive championship games in which she has been recognised as MVP.

Despite the individual accolades, Bradley remains focused on the team environment that has helped place her in a position to succeed.

“Honestly, I am very grateful to be part of this team and this program,” she said.

“I am thankful for everything that has helped set me up to have success. I want to give credit to this program and everything they have provided for us.”

“At the end of the day, you work so hard throughout your life and your career to reach a point where you hope these things flourish and you get to have these opportunities.”

For Bradley, the individual recognition has been a bonus alongside the achievement of helping Knox secure another championship.

“My main goal was focusing on winning and winning that championship,” she said.

“The MVP was really just a bonus, but I am grateful. At the end of the day, you have to back yourself.”

“I am lucky to have awesome teammates around me who have helped me get there too.”

“The consistency comes from backing yourself and knowing that you have done all the work and gone through the process to get where you are.”

“You have to trust yourself, trust your teammates and trust your coaching staff. It happened, and I am so grateful and excited.”

Knox will now head to Adelaide attempting to become consecutive NBL1 National champions and complete another South and National Championship double.

The Raiders will face leading teams from across the country, bringing together different personnel, playing styles and approaches in a condensed tournament format.

Bradley believes the National Finals provide a unique opportunity to test the Raiders against unfamiliar opposition while travelling and competing together as a group.

“It would be amazing. I think it is a really cool opportunity that NBL1 provides,” she said.

“You get to see teams from different conferences and potentially see different styles, different imports and what else is happening in those different states.”

“It is a really cool opportunity to travel with your team and experience some new things.”

Having already experienced the demands of the tournament and the pressure of a National Championship Game, Bradley hopes the lessons from 2025 will help Knox remain composed throughout the weekend.

“Hopefully our experience from last year can propel us and give us that level headedness and confidence to hopefully go around again,” she said.

Bradley will also have some additional support in Adelaide, with her mum making the trip to watch the Raiders compete.

“My mum is going to be in Adelaide for the National Finals, which is really cool,” she said.

“Shout out to Mum!”

While the Raiders will arrive in Adelaide as the defending champions, Bradley said the opportunity to achieve something special together remains the driving force for the group.

“It would mean the world to our program and to us to accomplish something again together,” she said.

“Our group loves each other and we have so much fun. I’m not just saying that and it’s not a cliché. It’s real.”

“We love doing it together and hopefully there are some celebrations and another opportunity to enjoy our time together.”