Games of the Week Preview: May 17-19

Being in the middle of Winter, there’s no better time to rug up, get a warm drink and sit back and watch some NBL1 action this weekend. 

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Check out the previews for each Game of the Week, streaming live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

Saturday, Round 7: Canberra Nationals & Gunners vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits 

Women’s live from 5:30pm AEST 

Heading up to Canberra, all eyes will be on the Bandits as 2022 NBL1 East Finals MVP Unique Thompson will make her return to the club. 

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The Bandits have been unstoppable this season, with the addition of Thompson and Emma Mahady still finding her feet after her injury. They’ll have a strong chance of winning their second title within three years of the competition. 

Despite Albury-Wodonga’s talent, the Nationals are still a dangerous team in their own right. Under head coach Kristen Veal and 20-points-per-game scorer Lizzy Tonks, Canberra will have home-court advantage and will be hungry to hand the Bandits their first loss of the season. 

Men’s live from 7:30pm AEST 

Two teams contending for the Finals, this will be a must-watch clash on Saturday night. 

The champion Gunners led by their entirely local core of Canberra products, will face off against NBL1 East MVP favourite Will Hickey and teammate Shawn Montague in what should be a barn burner in the ACT. 

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Hickey is coming off a Foot Locker Player of the Week performance averaging a triple-double in two games, while the Gunners sit atop the East ladder with an 8-1 record. 

Can former Defensive Player of the Year James Toohey lock down Hickey? Or will the Bandits overcome one of their biggest opponents for the East title? 

Saturday, Round 6: Logan Thunder vs Gold Coast Rollers

Women’s live from 6:00pm AEST

Both teams have a win each and will be hunting for their next chance up the ladder this Saturday. 

The youth movement is in full effect on the Gold Coast, with four of their leading scorers aged 27 or younger. Having played in SEABL (now NBL1 South) since 2016, Taylor Lee made the move to the Gold Coast last season and has rapidly elevated into the team’s leading scorer – averaging 18.7 points per game (five points better than her career-high average in 2021 with the Casey Cavaliers). 

She’ll be hosting the historically dominant Logan Thunder, led by 2021 Finals MVP Mikaela Cann. Averaging 20 points per game alongside co-star Chevannah Paalvast, the Thunder will be looking to re-discover their success to turn around the second half of the season against the Rollers. 

Men’s live from 8:00pm AEST 

This will be a who’s who of NBL talent, with the Thunder hosting 2023 NBL1 North MVP Jason Cadee and NBL Champion Will Magnay in a must-watch clash. 

Logan saw Shaun Bruce return while recruiting Callum Dalton and Zac Triplett to bolster the wing talent. 

After another successful season with United, Triplett has been flying under the radar up North, averaging 21.8 points per game – a near career-high in his fourth NBL1 season. 

While Magnay made a quiet debut last round, expect a lot more numbers and production for the JackJumper as he gets more comfortable playing alongside his elite playmaking co-star in Cadee. 

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Saturday, Round 8: Lakeside Lightning vs Rockingham Flames

Women’s live from 5:30pm AWST

The Lightning will host the undefeated Flames in what will be one of the most impactful games of the season out West. 

While Rockingham is currently 9-0, it’s off the back of their intense offence led by two-time conference MVP Alex Sharp and Nes’aya Parker Williams. 

However, the Lightning have an ace up their sleeve, with the conference’s best inside scorer with Teige Morrell. 

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The Flames have great depth with Georgia Pineau and Foot Locker Player of the Week Emma Gandini, but do they have an answer for the conference’s best scorer and rebounder? 

Men’s live from 7:30pm AWST 

While the Lightning may be only 2-6 on the ladder, they are unquestionably better than their record and much more exciting. Losing games to Willetton, Perry Lakes and Goldfields by seven points or less, the Lightning have truly struggled to close out games this season.

However, Mike Adewunmi has dropped 40 points against the Suns, Marshawn Blackmon has featured on the Top 10 multiple times and Dominic Jackson is one of the most athletic players in the conference – showing just how fun they can be to watch. 

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They’ll be taking on the juggernaut Rockingham Flames, who sit fourth on the ladder with a 7-2 record. With the reigning MVP Devondrick Walker, runner-up in MVP Quintin Dove and Defensive Player of the Year Gorjok Gak, it’s easy to see why they are averaging 97.7 points per game and why they will be a handful for Lakeside this weekend. 

Sunday, Round 7: Casey Cavaliers vs Mount Gambier Pioneers 

Women’s live from 1:00pm AEST 

After making her 2024 debut last week, Alice Kunek is set up for a challenge against the 8-1 Mount Gambier Pioneers.

Scoring 22 points against the Kilsyth Cobras in Round 6, she joins a strong core of talent with Taylah Simmons and Alexandra Wittinger, both scoring over 15 points per game. 

The Pioneers are coming off another heartbreaking Finals loss last season, and with the Bendigo Braves, Keilor Thunder, Knox Raiders and Dandenong Rangers all having some flaws – it could be the season Mount Gambier triumph. 

Led by Zitina Aokuso, Haleigh Reinoehl and Sherrie Calleia, it’s one of the most dangerous trios in the NBL1 South. Who will prevail? We’ll find out in an appetising Sunday afternoon clash. 

Men’s live from 3:00pm AEST

Foot Locker Player of the Week Nick Marshall will have Casey’s attention as may he single-handedly be able to take his Pioneers to the first spot on the South ladder. 

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Both Casey and Mount Gambier have a double-header weekend where they’ll be travelling significant distances, so Sunday will be a battle of attrition. On Saturday, the Cavaliers will play Bendigo and the Pioneers will face off against Knox. 

Casey’s dynamic duo of Dillon Stith and Devin Watson are yet to see their talent translate to wins, but have both been dominant players in previous seasons – meaning Round 7 may just be the time for the Cavaliers to turn their season around.