Key NBL1 Matchups: Week 6

Image Credit: Ian Knight Photography

The NBL1 action keeps on coming in 2026, and we've got plenty more exciting matchups headed your way this weekend! Here is one battle from each NBL1 conference that you should keep your eye on. 

Don't miss a single minute of NBL1 action this season! Watch every game LIVE & FREE via NBL1.com.au and the NBL1 app. 

NBL 1 SOUTH WOMEN'S - Eltham Wildcats vs. Casey Cavaliers

The NBL1 South women's division has several extremely talented women's sides this season, and Eltham and Casey have both enjoyed excellent starts to the year.

Currently sitting in 1st and 3rd place on the ladder respectively, the two sides are sure to put in an exciting battle this weekend with lineups full of in-form stars.

Lil Dart has led the way for Eltham with 21.9 points per game, and has been supported terrifically by Mackenzie Smith, as well as Rebecca Pizzey and Sara-Rose Smith who have been particularly strong on the defensive end. 

The Cavaliers boast plenty of starpower though, with WNBL stars Dallas Loughridge, Nya Lok, and Sharne Robati leading the way, and Samantha Bowman and Chelsea D'Angelo having solid starts alongside them.

With both outfits carrying plenty of momentum into the battle, the winner could come away with a strong case for being one of the early championship favourites.  

NBL 1 CENTRAL MEN'S - Woodville Warriors vs. South Adelaide Panthers

Much has been made of the Sturt Sabres dominance in the NBL1 Central Men's division and the Forestville Eagles excellent start sitting behind them in 2nd, but the third-placed Woodville Warriors and fourth-placed South Adelaide Panthers have impressed as well this year with 5-2 records to start the season. 

South Adelaide's additions have made all the difference in 2026, with the returning Jeremy Smith leading the way with some outstanding form, and Rio Bruton and Yevgen Sakhniuk bringing plenty to the side this week. Add to this the brilliant form of Lloyd McVeigh and the Panthers have not been easy to stop this year. 

If any side can do it though, the Woodville Warriors are definitely one of them. Uzo Dibiamaka has taken his game to another level in 2026, averaging 21.3 points, while new addition Awak Machar has done the same after joining from the Southern Tigers. 

Nick Wurm has also remained his consistent self in his third season with the Warriors, and newcomer Bennett Sherry has been a terrific defensive addition, averaging 12.4 points and 8.0 rebounds to go with his 2+ blocks and steals per outing. 

The matchups are endless with the amount of starpower on each of these sides, and we're sure to be treated to an exhilarating battle. 

NBL 1 EAST WOMEN'S - Newcastle Falcons vs. Sutherland Sharks 

Two seasons after they battled it out in the 2024 Grand Final, the Newcastle Falcons and Sutherland Sharks are still powerhouses of the NBL1 East Women's Division. 

The third-placed Falcons have been difficult to stop once again, with reigning three-time MVP Nicole Munger leading the way, and Meg Jefferson and Kate Kingham have superb seasons so far. 

The Sutherland Sharks have some terrific names on their side though, with Lauren Nicholso, Abi Curtin, and Maddy Norris sharing the load extremely well so far this year.

Both rosters are very well balanced, which should make this matchup an entertaining watch as a result. 

NBL 1 NORTH MEN'S - Sunshine Coast Phoenix vs. Cairns Marlins

While it's very early in the NBL1 North season, the second-placed Sunshine Coast Phoenix and the first-placed Cairns Marlins looked very impressive in each of their first two games this year. 

The Phoenix lineup looks very well-rounded, with five players contributing 13 points or more per game across the opening two contests (Luke Anderson, Nelson Kahler, DeShawn Ross-Paiwan, Erik Kafritsas, Darnell Robateau). 

The top-end talent at Cairns is hard to argue with though, as NBL stars Kody Stattmann, Luca Yates, and Kobe McDowell-White lead the way. While they probably don't bat as deep overall, these three stars will help bring the Marlins to huge heights in 2026, and this particular encounter with the Phoenix should be a close one given the dynamic of each lineup. 

NBL 1 WEST MEN'S - Warwick Senators vs. Rockingham Flames

Rounding out this week's key matchups, a rematch of last season's NBL1 West Men's Preliminary Final which came down to a Cooper Creek game winner is sure to excite us once again. 

The third-placed Flames boast a stacked lineup of NBL-calibre talent this season, with reigning MVP Isaac White leading the way with 32.3 points per game, alongside Emmett Naar once again, as well as new additions Blake Jones and Michael Harris who have been strong to start the year. 

The Senators look a little bit different to how they did when they beat the Flames in that final, but still look dangerous with some explosive new additions.

Despite losing scoring machine Elijah Pepper, the signing of Marshawn Blackmon had covered much of that loss so far. Averaging 32.2 points of game, Blackmon has put in some excellent performances. The signing of Michigan's NCAA National Champion Will Tschetter has also added another layer to this lineup, with the 23-year-old dropping 25 points in his debut, while rising stars George Pearl and Billy McRae have contributed well with an average of 15 points each per game this season. 

Don't miss a single minute of NBL1 action this season! Watch every game LIVE & FREE via NBL1.com.au and the NBL1 app.