Celebrating the NBL1 South 2026 Season

A message from NBL1 South League Manager Alison Cody.

From the Pre-Season Blitz in March to the final buzzer of the NBL1 National Finals in Adelaide, there has been plenty to celebrate across NBL1 South in 2026.

Our season began at Hoop City – Port Melbourne, where all clubs came together from March 13 to 15 for the annual Pre-Season Blitz.

The three-day event featured 28 games, free entry for supporters and the inaugural NBL1 South Season Launch. It was a great opportunity for our players, coaches, club representatives, partners and key stakeholders to reconnect before the regular season tipped off on March 27.

Thank you to Hoop City – Port Melbourne and everyone who helped deliver the weekend. Most of all, I hope everyone who attended enjoyed themselves and had fun watching NBL1 South basketball again.

The 2026 regular season produced plenty of close games, outstanding performances and great stories across the men’s and women’s competitions.

For the first time, our Finals series expanded from 8 to 10 teams in each competition. The idea was initially raised during our inaugural player representative meeting in late 2025 and reflected the depth and competitiveness of NBL1 South.

Finals positions are rarely decided before the final day of the regular season and this year was no different. A remarkable 14 of our 19 clubs had at least one team qualify for the Finals.

We were also pleased to welcome Northern Force, representing the north and north-west of Tasmania, while the Hobart Chargers celebrated their 30th anniversary season.

Another highlight was the sold-out international showcase between the NBL1 South Under-25 Select Team and the Chinese National Under-18 Men’s Team at Hoop City – Port Melbourne.

Led by Dandenong Rangers head coach Sam Woosnam, the Select Team brought together emerging players from across the league for a rare opportunity to compete against international opposition. All 12 players scored in an impressive performance, highlighting the young talent within NBL1 South.

The quality of our players, coaches, officials and clubs was also recognised at the NBL1 South Awards.

Congratulations to our Most Valuable Players, Dallas Loughridge from the Casey Cavaliers and Jacob Richards from the Hobart Chargers. Both also received Leading Scorer honours and were selected in the All NBL1 South First Team.

Andrew Cutler from the Nunawading Spectres and Matt Bongetti from the Eltham Wildcats were named the Men’s and Women’s Coaches of the Year, while Northern Force’s Logan Gibson and Sandringham Sabres’ Madison Ryan received the Youth Player of the Year awards.

The Kilsyth Cobras received the Points off the Bench Award, while the Eltham Wildcats received the C.R.E.S.T. Shield after recording the most combined regular-season wins across their men’s and women’s teams.

Frankston Blues’ Sophie Alexander became the inaugural overall Pixellot Local Legend following a public vote.

The Finals once again showed the quality and depth of NBL1 South.

In the women’s competition, the Knox Raiders defeated the Melbourne Tigers before surviving a dramatic 80–78 Preliminary Final against the Sandringham Sabres.

The Waverley Falcons overcame several key absences, defeating the Casey Cavaliers in overtime and the Diamond Valley Eagles 70–61 to reach their second Grand Final in three seasons.

In the men’s competition, the Frankston Blues defeated the Knox Raiders before overcoming the regular-season champion Melbourne Tigers 82–79 at MSAC.

The Eltham Wildcats secured the other place in the Grand Final with a thrilling 91–89 overtime victory over the Nunawading Spectres.

More than 4,700 people then attended the NBL1 South Grand Finals at the State Basketball Centre.

Knox completed its second consecutive women’s championship with an 80–54 victory over Waverley. Paige Bradley was named Grand Final MVP after producing 20 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

The men’s Grand Final delivered a thrilling finish, with Frankston defeating Eltham 78–75 to secure its first NBL1 South championship. Jeremy Combs received Grand Final MVP honours following a performance of 21 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Congratulations to Knox and Frankston on their championships, and to Waverley and Eltham on their achievements in reaching the Grand Final.

The season then continued at the NBL1 National Finals in Adelaide, where Knox, Waverley and Frankston represented NBL1 South.

Knox completed an incredible year by defeating the Bankstown Bruins 86–73 to secure consecutive NBL1 National championships, with Alicia Froling named Championship Game MVP.

NBL1 South also filled 5 of the 10 positions across the National Finals All-Star Five teams through Jeremy Combs, Haliegh Reinoehl, Agnes Emma-Nnopu, Paige Bradley and Katelyn Shumate.

Congratulations also to commentators Zoe Carr, Matt Hickey and Hayley Wildes, along with referees Chloe Erskine, Niam Westaway and Sam Viergever, who represented NBL1 South at the National Finals.

The interest in NBL1 South locally and internationally continued to grow throughout the season.

Another attendance record was set across the league, while social media viewership increased by more than 300%.

The Melbourne Tigers regularly played in front of sold-out crowds at home and away, with Shuyu Yang and Mingling Chen attracting significant international interest and games being broadcast directly into China.

Our Kayo Game of the Week coverage was also elevated through the introduction of the Blue Carpet Court Walk and post-game player interviews. The Ringwood Hawks and Nunawading Spectres rivalry game became our most-watched regular-season broadcast and attracted one of Ringwood’s largest home crowds of the season.

I hope everyone involved already knows how much I appreciate all you do to present NBL1 South at its best.

To our players, thank you for the brilliant performances you produced week after week. The standard of basketball across both competitions was outstanding, but your influence extends well beyond the court. You continue to inspire children throughout your local associations and communities.

To our coaches and team support staff, thank you for the countless hours spent preparing and supporting your players. You are the tacticians, masterminds and, at times, psychologists and welfare providers behind every team.

To our club staff and administrators, thank you for everything required to operate high-level programs each week. Much of your work happens behind the scenes, but your professionalism and commitment are never in doubt.

Thank you to the hundreds of game-day staff and volunteers across NBL1 South. From court announcers, performers and ushers to Game Commissioners, your contribution helps make every game possible.

To our referees, referee coaches, scoretable officials and statisticians, thank you for your dedication and professionalism throughout the season. Without your work, we could not play the game we love.

To our photographers, videographers and other content creators, thank you for capturing and sharing the stories of NBL1 South.

The quality of your work and professionalism has been reflected in the increased viewership and interest this season. Your content has brought supporters closer to the competition and showcased our players, clubs and communities across Australia and internationally.

Thank you to our broadcast teams, commentators and production crews for bringing NBL1 South to viewers throughout the season, and to our venue staff for supporting the delivery of our games and major events.

Thank you to our valued sponsors and partners, RSL Victoria, Pixellot and Spalding, for their continued support.

Now in the third year of our terrific partnership with RSL Victoria, we particularly thank them for their continued support of our technical officials and the important work they undertake throughout the community.

I would also like to acknowledge the Basketball Victoria Leagues team for its support at our major events throughout the season.

Most importantly, thank you to our supporters.

Whether you attended games, watched the broadcasts or followed your club and NBL1 South online, your support was greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoyed the season and had fun supporting your teams.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our clubs and everyone involved throughout 2026.

On behalf of Basketball Victoria and the League Advisory Panel, congratulations to all our champions and award winners, and thank you to everyone who contributed to another successful season.

We look forward to another exciting and intriguing off-season of announcements before the NBL1 South season begins in 2027.

Alison Cody
NBL1 South League Manager