Knox Raiders men’s team withdraw from NBL1 National Finals, replacement team announced

Image credit: Taylor Earnshaw @taylorearnshaw.photog

The 2024 NBL1 Men’s National Champions the Knox Raiders have confirmed they will not be able to field a team for the 2025 Mitsubishi Motors National Finals in Canberra.

As a result, they will be replaced at the event by NBL1 East’s Illawarra Hawks, as the minor premiers of the hosting conference for National Finals.

Illawarra join the Canberra Gunners, who booked their place in National Finals with a 99-91 victory over the Hawks in Saturday’s NBL1 East Grand Final.

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The Raiders' men's side were eliminated from the 2025 NBL1 South Finals on August 9, in a back-and-forth Preliminary Final where Jack Purchase sent the Tigers into the Grand Final with a late game-winner.

"While it's unfortunate that our reigning champions are unable to field a team in this years NBL1 National Finals, we understand their situation. We are excited that the Illawarra Hawks will be joining the list of teams competing in Canberra,” said NBL1 General Manager, Dean Anglin.

“The Hawks had a fantastic year, finishing as the minor premier of NBL1 East, and will be a great addition to what is already an impressive field of teams heading to Canberra.”

The National Finals will be taking place at Southern Cross Stadium in Tuggeranong from Friday August 29 to Sunday August 31.

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