Round 15 Preview: Castec Rural Pioneers Finish 2026 Season Against Frankston Blues

The Castec Rural Pioneers will bring their 2026 NBL1 South campaign to a close on Saturday night when they travel to Jubilee Park Stadium to face the Frankston Blues.

 

Mount Gambier enters the final round with a 6-15 record and will be looking to finish the season positively after a challenging campaign. Their final opponent presents a significant test, with Frankston sitting at 15-6 and firmly established among the leading teams in the competition.

 

The Blues have built their success around an efficient and balanced offensive unit. Frankston averages 95.6 points per game while shooting 47.9 per cent from the field and 35.4 per cent from beyond the arc. Their 120.8 offensive rating ranks among the strongest in NBL1 South, while their low turnover rate has allowed them to consistently maximise their possessions.

 

Jeremy Combs has been one of Frankston’s leading offensive contributors, averaging 20.2 points per game while shooting 53.8 per cent from the field. His ability to finish around the basket and create scoring opportunities will make him an important matchup for the Pioneers’ frontcourt.

 

Daniel Trist has also produced strongly, averaging 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.9 per cent from the field and 40.5 per cent from three-point range. Dibaji Walker adds another major scoring threat, contributing 17.0 points per game on efficient shooting.

 

Former Castec Rural Pioneers player Austin Shelley will provide a familiar face on the opposite side. Shelley, who represented Mount Gambier during the 2025 season, is averaging 16.9 points per game for Frankston and remains a dangerous perimeter scorer capable of creating his own shot.

 

Jack Stanwix contributes 11.4 points and 3.1 assists per game, while Tana Garrett has provided valuable perimeter production throughout the season. Frankston’s depth and ability to receive scoring from several positions will require a disciplined defensive performance from Mount Gambier.

 

For the Castec Rural Pioneers, Alex Mudronja and Deng Deng have led the offensive production across the latter stages of the campaign.

 

Mudronja is averaging 20.2 points per game while shooting 52.9 per cent from the field. His ability to attack the basket, create from the perimeter and involve teammates will again be important against a well-organised Frankston defence.

 

Deng Deng has made a strong impact since joining the Pioneers, averaging 19.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. His versatility at both ends of the floor gives Mount Gambier an important matchup option against Frankston’s athletic frontcourt.

 

Ngor Manyang continues to provide valuable perimeter shooting and defensive versatility, averaging 13.0 points per game while converting 36.5 per cent of his three-point attempts.

 

Inside, Lucas Gordon has been one of the competition’s strongest rebounders, averaging 12.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. His work on the offensive glass will be important against a Frankston team that has several experienced and physical frontcourt options.

 

Titus Robinson has also produced efficiently, averaging 12.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48.7 per cent from the field and 45.2 per cent from beyond the arc. His recent form has provided the Pioneers with another reliable scoring option around the basket and from the perimeter.

 

Mount Gambier averages 89.1 points per game and has shown throughout the season that it can generate strong offensive stretches. The challenge will be maintaining that production across four quarters while limiting Frankston’s efficiency at the other end.

 

Rebounding will be one of the key areas of the contest. Gordon, Deng and Robinson will be tasked with limiting second-chance opportunities for Combs, Trist and the Blues’ supporting frontcourt, while also creating additional possessions for the Pioneers.

 

Ball security will also be critical. Frankston commits turnovers on just 13.3 per cent of its possessions, one of the best rates in the competition, and has consistently punished opponents for defensive mistakes.

 

Although the Pioneers will not feature in the postseason, Saturday’s game provides an opportunity to finish the campaign with a strong performance against one of the leading teams in NBL1 South.

 

The final game will also be an opportunity for the group to represent the club, its partners and supporters one more time in 2026, while continuing to build toward the future of the program.

 

 

Frankston Blues vs Castec Rural Pioneers

Saturday 18 July 2026

Men – 8:00pm AEST

Jubilee Park Stadium