South Wrap | Men's Round 1

Featured image: Jason Hill / @Pinnacle_Images

Jacob Richards and Luke Rosendale starred in a pair of NBL1 South wins for the Hobart Chargers with Malith Machar helping the Sandringham Sabres to a winning start to championship defence with TJ Weeks starring for Eltham Wildcats.

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FRIDAY

Hobart Chargers (87) defeated Nunawading Spectres (85)

The Hobart Chargers came from seven points down in the fourth quarter to open their season with the thrilling 87-85 home win against the Nunawading Spectres.

The Chargers opened the new season hosting the Spectres at Hutchins School and the home team managed to open up an eight-point lead in the opening period.

Nunawading turned things around in the second frame with 26 points to 15 to go into the half-time break leading 38-33.

The Spectres were clinging to a one-point lead by three quarter-time and then both teams lit it up in the fourth and had their terms with the momentum.

Nunawading did get back out to a seven-point edge but the Chargers got on a 9-0 run and ended up scoring 33 points in the quarter to overrun the Spectres for the two-point home victory.

Jacob Richards dominated for Hobart with 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists with 11/16 shooting from the floor and 6/8 at the free-throw line.

Luke Rosendale added 23 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists with Ambros Eugster contributing 13 points on 6/8 shooting.

Christian D'Angelo top-scored for Nunawading with 20 points and three rebounds with Jack Gandolfo adding 19 points on 5/7 three-point shooting.

Dylan Penn also had 16 points and three rebounds, Owen Lobsinger nine points, five boards and three assists, and Daniel Baxter eight points, three rebounds and two steals.

Northern Force (89) lost to Frankston Blues (103)

The Northern Force didn’t get the start to NBL1 South life they were hoping for as the Frankston Blues flexed their muscles with five players scoring in double-digits for the season-opening 103-89 road win.

Frankston have come into the new season looking to make up for a season where they fell away in the second half of 2026 to miss finals. They were impressive all evening against the Force to begin their Tasmanian double-header weekend.

The Blues continued to build on their advantage through the night to lead by as much as 18 points on the way to winning by 14 with 14 points from the 16 Northern turnovers along with 19 second chance points from 15 offensive rebounds, and 18 fast break points to 11.

It was some of the Blues' usual suspects doing a lot of the good work too including Daniel Trist delivering 17 points, 10 rebounds and two assists with 2/3 three-point shooting. Lucas Barker flirted with a triple-double with seven points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Austin Shelley is a new face with the Blues and top-scored with 18 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds while Tom Garrett put up 14 points and three assists with 3/6 three-point shooting.

Corey Hastings also knocked down 3/5 from long-range for 14 points with Vincent Monaghan contributing nine points and five rebounds, and Jack Stanwix six points and four assists.

Logan Gibson finished with 24 points with nine rebounds and three assists on 7/11 shooting from the floor and 10/12 from the free-throw line for the Force.

Vincent DeAngelo also produced 17 points, six rebounds and six assists with Kye Savage ending up with 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds with 3/9 three-point shooting.

Aaron Ridley III had 16 points with 11 of those in the first half and ended up shooting 4/7 from behind the three-point line.

SATURDAY

Geelong United (62) lost to Kilsyth Cobras (74)

The Kilsyth Cobras finished with a dominant second half performance to open the season with a 74-62 road win against Geelong United.

The two teams started the new season at The Geelong Arena on Saturday with United managing to hold a 33-28 advantage by half-time.

Kilsyth took over from there with 46 points to 29 in the second half on the way to the eventual 12-point win to make a winning start to 2026.

Adrian Tomada top-scored for Kilsyth with 13 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists with Chris Payton Jr adding 12 points and seven boards on 4/7 shooting.

Macauley Haig also had 11 points and three assists, Hamish MacDonald 10 points and three rebounds, and Dillon Stith five points with 10 boards.

DeMarcus Gatlin is back with Geelong and produced 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals with Deng Riak adding 13 points and 12 boards.

Lachlan Barker added 12 points, two rebounds and two assists with Liam Herbert contributing 10 points, two board and two steals.

Hobart Chargers (87) defeated Frankston Blues (84)

The Hobart Chargers gave up a 15-point lead but came from behind in the last quarter to beat the Frankston Blues 87-84 at home on Saturday.

Both teams had already played on Friday night with the Chargers winning a thriller by two points over the Nunawading Spectres while the Blues beat the Northern Force.

They backed up on Saturday at Hutchins School with the Chargers starting on fire for an eight-point lead by quarter-time which grew to as much as 15 points in the second frame.

Frankston did claw back before half-time with Hobart only leading 48-46 by the break before the Blues did hit the front early in the second half.

They still led early in the fourth too but the Chargers responded and ended up doing enough to secure the three-point win to make it a double win start to the season.

Luke Rosendale starred once again for Hobart with 32 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks with 6/14 three-point shooting.

Jacob Richards added 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists with Joe Chilcott contributing 11 points and two boards.

Austin Shelley top-scored for Frankston with 20 points and four assists with Corey Hastings adding 14 points and four rebounds, Lucas Barker 10 points, four boards and three steals, and Tom Garrett 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Ballarat Miners (79) lost to Bendigo Braves (89)

The new-look Bendigo Braves built a 27-point lead in an impressive first up showing before a strong finish at home from the Ballarat Miners to limit the final score to 89-79.

The Miners did still make the finals last year after losing the grand final of 2024 but lost first up to the Melbourne Tigers and now have had a big change over for 2026 including appointing Ray Borner as coach to replace South East Melbourne Phoenix assistant Luke Brennan.

The Braves had a tough finish to 2025 with six straight losses to miss the finals at 8-14. They've also made a change with their coach replacing Steve Black with Josh Cheney along with bringing in a host of new faces.

That worked a treat for Bendigo away from home too with seven offensive rebounds in the first quarter helping them to a seven-point lead after one which grew to 16 at the half and then 25 by three quarter-time.

It got out to 27 early in the fourth too before a strong finish from the Miners at home including going on a 12-0 run to cut the final winning margin of Bendigo back to just 10.

Five Bendigo players ended up scoring between 12 and 18 points in the win in what is an impressive first up victory to start a new era with the Braves.

Billy Smythe was on fire early with eight points in the first quarter on his way to 18 for the game with seven rebounds.

Ray Turner had a big say in the game too despite only playing 17 minutes for 17 points and 10 rebounds to be +9 in that time.

Jordan Straatsma had 13 points to half-time and finished with 17 and five rebounds on 3/5 three-point shooting with Biwali Bayles delivering 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Jarvis Doles also finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds with Jake Lloyd contributing five points, three rebounds and three assists on his former home floor.

Lachlan Dent found some confidence late for the Miners to end up with 18 points and eight assists despite still only shooting 5/21 from the floor and 2/10 from deep.

Brooklyn Bruton went 3/5 from three for 18 points with three steals while Jaden Campbell finished with 13 points and four rebounds, and Cearius Warren seven points, 10 boards and two blocked shots.

Dandenong Rangers (92) defeated Casey Cavaliers (81)

Joe Palmer and Joe Lubarsky combined for 46 points and 21 rebounds in the Dandenong Rangers' season-opening 92-81 win against the Casey Cavaliers.

Both teams missed the finals in 2025 and will be looking to make amends for that in 2026 as they got things underway at Dandenong Basketball Stadium.

The Rangers started well at home with 23 points to 16 in the first quarter but the Cavaliers hit back with scores level at 40-40 by half-time.

Dandenong took back over in the third quarter with 27 points to 18 on the way to the 11-point win with Palmer delivering 24 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.

Lubarsky also had 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals with Justin Bieker contributing 12 points and four assists, and Harry Froling 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Preston Bungei top-scored for Casey with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks with Patrick Ryan contributing 15 points and nine boards, Tanner Krebs 14 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Chan Nai 10 points and four boards.

Diamond Valley Eagles (66) lost to Eltham Wildcats (76)

TJ Weeks delivered an impressive NBL1 South debut to lead the Eltham Wildcats to a first up 76-66 win against the Diamond Valley Eagles.

Both teams opened their season on Saturday night at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre with the Eagles trying to improve on their 5-17 2025 season while the Wildcats did make the top four before bowing out in straight sets.

The Wildcats managed to open up a 43-32 advantage by half-time and converted that into the 10-point win with University of Massachusetts alum Weeks playing a starring role in his first taste of playing overseas.

He delivered 20 points, four rebounds and two steals with Leonardo Colimerio contributing 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Harry Hornery 10 points, three boards and two assists.

Mitch McCarron also had nine points, seven assists and six rebounds, Zak Cunningham nine points, seven boards and four assists, and Sam Short six points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Ryley Haywood top-scored for Diamond Valley with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals with Mitch Blackburn providing 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Daniel Poelsma 12 points and four boards.

Ringwood Hawks (95) lost to Mount Gambier Pioneers (98)

The Mount Gambier Pioneers had to hold on tight after a 16-point second half lead but did so for the season-opening 98-95 win against the Ringwood Hawks.

It was a first game of the new season for both teams at The Rings on Saturday night with the Hawks attempting to return to the finals and the Pioneers to make up for a losing preliminary final in 2025.

Mount Gambier started well to be leading 30-24 by quarter-time and still 64-53 by half-time before that advantage got out to as much as 16 points in the third frame.

Ringwood did throw everything at a comeback and got back as close to a point late in the piece, but Mount Gambier held firm for the eventual three-point victory away from home.

Collin Moore delivered 25 points, five rebounds, five steals, four assists and three blocks in the win for the Pioneers with Ngor Manyang adding 18 points on 4/9 three-point shooting.

Alex Mudronja delivered 16 points and four rebounds with Micale Mee adding 12 points, three boards and two steals, Elijah Saifaleupolu 11 points and two rebounds, and Scott Telfer 10 points, seven boards and four assists.

Harry Sealey ended up with 22 points, three rebounds and two assists for Ringwood with Tom Carroll adding 15 points, 11 boards, six assists and three blocks, Junior Garbrah 17 points and nine steals, and Lawson Eales 14 points, nine rebounds, five steals and two assists.

Mitch Dielemans also had 12 points and two assists, and Anton Stratov 12 points and three rebounds.

Keilor Thunder (88) lost to Knox Raiders (93)

A huge finish from Keilor Thunder wasn’t quite enough with the Knox Raiders holding on for the 93-88 road win having been up 15 earlier in the fourth quarter.

It was a first game of the season for both teams with the Thunder hosting the Raiders at Keilor Stadium with Knox getting the better of the start to be leading 25-16 by the end of one.

Keilor did go on a 6-0 scoring run in the second term to get back to within four by half-time before the Raiders took control again with 30 points to 18 in the third period.

That Knox lead grew to as much as 16 points but Keilor didn’t give up and scored 11 straight points themselves in the fourth quarter as part of their 31 overall only for the Raiders to hold on for the five-point win.

Trazarien White made a terrific debut for Knox with 26 points, five steals and four rebounds with Brandon Slater adding 21 points and five boards.

Kobe Williamson added 18 points and eight rebounds, Brody Nunn 12 points and three assists, and Tad Dufelmeier 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Daniel Foster ended up with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Keilor with Tana Kopa contributing 21 points and two steals with 3/6 shooting from deep.

Landon Seaman added 12 points with Deng Dut contributing 11 points and four assists, and Ryan Philippe 10 points and three steals.

Northern Force (59) lost to Nunawading Spectres (101)

The Nunawading Spectres return from Tasmania having split their road double to start the season with a thumping 101-59 win against the Northern Force.

Both teams were in action on Friday night to open the season with the Force losing first up to the Frankston Blues while the Spectres also went down to the Hobart Chargers.

They backed up on Saturday at Elphin Sports Stadium and it was the Force who made the flying start with a 21-8 lead by quarter-time.

Northern did manage to build that 13-point lead, but Nunawading worked back into the contest and then took charge with 33 points in the second frame to lead 41-35 by the half-time break.

The Chargers then dominated the second half with 60 points to 24 for the 42-point win with Christian D'Angelo starring with 31 points, six rebounds and two assists on 12/22 field goal shooting.

Jack Gandolfo contributed 21 points and three assists on 4/10 three-point shooting with Dylan Penn adding 16 points and four rebounds, Daniel Baxter 11 points and 12 boards, and Kingsley Box nine points, nine rebounds and two steals.

Kye Savage top-scored for the Force with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists with Vincent DeAngelo delivering 14 points and five boards, and Logan Gibson 11 points and nine rebounds.

SUNDAY

Ballarat Miners (112) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (97)

Lachlan Dent finished Saturday night's loss off with some momentum and then starred in Sunday's 112-97 win for the Ballarat Miners against the Diamond Valley Eagles.

It was a tough first up hit out for Dent and the Miners on Saturday night with the loss to the Bendigo Braves, but they did at least finish that game strongly ahead of remaining at Selkirk Stadium to host the Eagles on Sunday.

Diamond Valley were trying to come back from a home loss to the Eltham Wildcats with the Miners managing 34 points in the second quarter to go into half-time leading 58-53.

Ballarat then finished strongly with 28 points to 17 in the last quarter on the way to the 15-point victory with Dent playing a key role ending up with 28 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds on 13/22 field goal shooting.

Riley Nicolson also had 22 points and seven rebounds with 3/6 three-point shooting while Ethan Fiegert added 18 points and six boards with a perfect 4/4 shooting from behind the three-point line.

Brooklyn Bruton delivered 20 points, four rebounds and four assists as well for Ballarat.

Manny Malou delivered 26 points, five rebounds and four assists for Diamond Valley while Mitch Blackburn had 20 points and 12 boards, Daniel Poelsma 14 points and seven assists, and Ryley Haywood 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Melbourne Tigers (98) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (77)

The Melbourne Tigers unveiled some new faces for the season and George Blagojevic and Josh Sykes both starred in their first up 98-77 win against a shorthanded Mount Gambier Pioneers.

Melbourne are coming into the new season after a stunning run to the grand final in 2026 and have made a couple of changes including Blagojevic and Sykes on deck.

The Pioneers did only have the seven players available after their Saturday night win. The Tigers were able to take advantage including starting the third quarter on a 13-1 run, and then a 15-5 streak to start the fourth on the way to the eventual 21-point victory.

Blagojevic has made the move to the Tigers from Geelong United for 2026. He started off with a bang on Sunday with 29 points, 13 rebounds and three assists on 13/18 field goal shooting.

Sykes has also come to Melbourne from the Eltham Wildcats and was impressive with 16 points and four rebounds with a perfect 7/7 shooting.

Tom Wilson had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists with Jack Purchase delivering 11 points and six assists, Wilson Amos 10 points and four rebounds, and Kai Garnaut 10 points and five boards.

Collin Moore finished with 19 points with 9/10 free-throw shooting for Mount Gambier with Elijah Saifaleupolu also ending up with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Scott Telfer added 19 points and four assists, Ngor Manyang 13 points, 10 boards, three steals and two assists, and Micale Mee five points and four rebounds.

Waverley Falcons (65) lost to Sandringham Sabres (86)

Malith Machar continued the confidence he got late in NBL26 by playing a starring role for the Sandringham Sabres in their 86-65 first up win against the Waverley Falcons.

It was a first game as defending champions for the Sabres but it's a decidedly new-look team in 2026 and they took on another team having undergone plenty of changes in the Falcons at Waverley Basketball Centre.

Sandringham had managed to build a 42-36 lead by half-time before dominating the third quarter with 29 points to 14 on the way to the eventual 21-point victory to make the perfect start to their championship defence.

Machar played some key minutes late in the NBL season for Melbourne United and brought that confidence with him back to the Sabres for 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

Kyle Adnam also had 18 points, six rebounds and three steals for Sandringham, Elliott Brown 12 points, three boards and three assists, Kyle Bowen 10 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Dane Pineau six points, 15 boards and three blocked shots.

Miles Gibson top-scored for Waverley with 17 points and eight rebounds with Gabe Hadley contributing 12 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals, and Matthew McCarthy 10 points and five rebounds.