Games of the Week Preview: April 12-14

With all five conferences this weekend, the NBL1 is in full swing with over 96 games from Thursday to Sunday.  

Check out the full fixture below: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBL1 (@nbl1)

Below are previews for each of the Games of the Week, streaming Live and Free on Kayo Freebies: 

Friday: Round 1, Ipswich Force vs Gold Coast Rollers

 Women’s live from 5:00pm

The Ipswich women’s squad are heading into 2024 with a young gun under their sleeve, debuting for the first time in the NBL1 North after representing Queensland in the U20 Nationals, Claire Fraser.

While Amana Cahill, an Ipswich favourite, will be back to make another run for the team after winning the club MVP in 2022. 

The Rollers on the other hand will have a new-look roster, highlighted by bringing in college captain Cassidy Gould. The Davidson guard was an all-around threat in college and will be a key piece in their team this season. 

Men’s live from 7:15pm

The 2023 NBL1 North Champions men’s roster will look very different this season. With Kyrin Galloway departing to Townsville, Jaylin Galloway currently in the G-League and Nathan Sobey yet to sign, the Force have recruited Brisbane Bullets’ forward DJ Mitchell to fill the gap. 

The championship rematch will be heated with 2023 NBL1 North MVP Jason Cadee returning and likely bitter about how the series ended last year, with NBL24 champion Will Magnay joining him in the near future.

 

Sunday: Round 2, Newcastle Falcons vs Canberra

Women’s live from 1:00pm

 The reigning NBL1 East MVP Nicole Munger is back in form with her Falcons, dropping a near triple-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in Round 1. With three other players in double-digit scoring, the Falcons will be a major finals threat for a third season in a row.

With the Nationals coming off a home win against Illawarra, their collective team effort will contrast the Falcons' set of stars – with head coach Kristen Veal and Bianca Dufelmeier leading the way.  

Men’s live from 3:15pm

Coming off Round 1 the Gunners look as strong as ever, William Mayfield returns to the team after a season in the NBL1 South while dynamic duo Glenn Morison and James Toohey were just as productive.

While the Falcons failed to get a win in Maitland, NBL1 East First-Team member Ryan Beisty put up an automatic 20 points with five rebounds in the loss. While young American on the rise Jai Smith added 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in his first game in Australia. 

Related: Smith eyes NBL with NBL1 move

It may have been a slow start but Newcastle will not back down from this Sunday clash.

Friday: Round 2, Geelong United vs Bendigo Braves

Women’s live from 6:00pm

WNBA draft pick Shaneice Swain didn’t disappoint in her first game down South, she led United in scoring in her Round 1 debut, with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a loss to Ballarat.  

On Friday night, they’ll host the National Finals champions. Coming off a 2-0 Round 1, the WNBL-packed team of Amy Atwell, Kelly Wilson, Megan McKay, and Ally Wilson will be a great challenge in their home opener. 

Men’s live from 8:00pm

While for the men’s, Geelong closed out a massive win over Miners in Ballarat 81-79, off the back of Latrell Jones’ 21 points and five rebounds. The team was frustrated after their narrow miss of the Finals last year – finishing 11th and only two games behind the eighth seed, can they turn it around in 2024?

With a retooled roster, they have a great challenge against the Braves this weekend. Bendigo is 1-1 after the first round, losing to Ballarat last Wednesday, then beating Dejan Vasiljevic’s Waverley Falcons on Saturday. 

Saturday: Round 2, Mount Gambier Pioneers vs Frankston Blues 

Women’s live from 6:30pm 

The Pioneers will host the Blues in a premier Saturday night match-up as Opal Steph Reid will take on Finals stalwarts in Mount Gambier.

Sherrie Calleia and Reid will be a must-watch point guard battle come Saturday night, while Zitina Aokuso will be dominating inside against Franktson’s frontcourt. 

Men’s live from 8:30pm 

Two teams destined for finals, the Blues will take on a fiery Mount Gambier at home. 

Foot Locker Player of the Week Nick Marshall will be Frankston’s number one priority, while the Blues have a deep team featuring NBL champion Lachie Barker and reigning Co-MVP Dan Trist. 

 

Saturday: Round 3, Perth Redbacks vs East Perth Eagles

Women’s live from 5:00pm

Both teams are hunting for their first win of 2024 and will go head-to-head on Saturday. The Eagles were three points short of conquering the Eastern Suns and will be desperate for a win against the Redbacks, before former WNBL MVP Anneli Maley suits up for the team. 

While the Redbacks await Maley, their core of Brooke Malone, Shenae Hartee and Georgia Denehey will be able to carry the team in her absence in his match-up. 

Men’s live from 7:00pm

One of the projected finals favourites has started the season slowly with an 0-2 record, but against the Eagles, the Perth Redbacks will be ready to claim their first win. 

2023 NBL1 West First-Team member Joe Cook-Green has had a slow start, only shooting 30.3 per cent from the field in two games. After losing by only three points against the Magic, the Redbacks will be hungry for their first win.

On the other hand, the Eagles are 1-2, a major improvement so far after their 12th-placed finish last season. Led by guard Taylor Young alongside Sunday Dech and David Okwera, the Eagles are set for a finals push if they can maintain their momentum against Perth.  

Sunday: Round 4, Sturt Sabres vs South Adelaide Panthers

Women’s live from 1:30pm 

Two projected finals teams will face off on Sunday as the runners-up from last season will host the dangerous Panthers. 

While the Panthers lost their last game, the team would have been happy to Ash ‘Splash’ Spencer finally come alive with a season-high 28 points against the Rockets.

They’ll be taking on the Sabres, along with MVP favourite Tayla Brazel who will be able to lock down any scorer and put up 20 of her own.  

Men’s live from 3:15pm

The Foot Locker Player of the Week Tom Kubank will take on the 3-0 Sturt Sabres, led by Jordan Forbes and Adelaide 36er Jacob Rigoni. 

Kubank lit it up with 33 against the North Adelaide Rockets, showing his versatility from both inside the paint and outside the arc. However, the return of Alex Starling has been sensational. The back-to-back Best Defensive Player is averaging 28.6 points, 15 rebounds and 3.6 steals a game for the Panthers.

This will be a must-watch on Sunday afternoon, pitting two title contenders against each other Live and Free via Kayo Freebies.