Feature image via: Ian Knight
After a challenging regular season, the NBL1 South’s Bendigo Braves will have their second chance at redemption in the Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals.
The Braves’ undefeated streak, which started last year, was snapped by the Sandringham Sabres in May, ending a 33-0 run across the 2023 NBL1 South season, the 2023 National Finals, and into 2024.
Related: The history of undefeated NBL1 teams
While it was an outstanding achievement. The team wasn’t able to make the South Finals due to player availability – between injury, personal reasons and National Team duties.
Reigning NBL1 South Coach of the Year Mark Alabakov explained that while the season was a tumultuous one, the team still managed to finish ninth on the ladder – a credit to the culture they have built over the past four years.
“We’ve built a program here in the last four years that is robust enough to withstand ‘storms’ like what we encountered this season with the expected and unexpected adversities,” Alabakov told NBL Media.
“Our culture has stood tall through many tests that have brought about the success we’ve experienced in recent seasons. Being in the trenches and creating tangible confidence and camaraderie through experiences over time outweighs me giving an impassioned speech every week to try to rally the group when things get hard.
“We created lots of small wins, gained valuable lessons and generated real confidence, magnified by a thicker skin and, by necessity this season - more adaptability and flexibility as a result.”
Alabakov explained that while missing Finals was upsetting, they now have a unique advantage on the field.
“We’d obviously prefer to still be playing in the South Finals, but we have a unique position, don’t we?” he said.
“We can begin deep-dive scouting the teams that emerge from each conference in real-time and begin to gameplan, afforded with a head start the other teams competing won’t have. We’ll also utilise the opportunity to take a week off to recharge, for our injuries to continue to heal, and to celebrate Amy and Ally going to the Olympics.”
HISTORICAL DOMINANCE ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 26, 2024
The Bendigo Braves are on a 3?3?-0? win streak ?
How long can they maintain this undefeated streak? Find out tonight against Sandringham from 5:00pm AEST Live & Free via Kayo Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/RzPnXJi6Pj
He went on to explain that in lieu of not playing games in the next month, the Braves will scrimmage against the Youth League Men and U18’s teams to ensure they are game-ready heading into next month.
With the extra time off, the team will be able to rest, recover and return from Paris to ensure a near-full-strength roster in August.
Alabakov said that qualifying for the National Finals is a “huge badge of honour”, and his team are driven to become the first team in NBL1 history to go back-to-back.
“The NBL1 is an exceptional competition with great players and coaches and the depth of talent in the league grows exponentially each year, which reduces everyone’s margins for error,” he said.
“This NBL1 South season for us was impacted by illnesses, injuries and absences to key personnel for National Team duties and we only got to play in 5/22 games with our full squad.
“The plan is to head to the Sunshine Coast with a full contingent, or really close to it, and with something to prove.”
While Bendigo is home, Alabakov cannot deny that being able to stay on the Sunshine Coast will be a picturesque destination after a cold Victorian winter.
“Personally, it’s one of the few destinations Nationally that I haven’t visited - so I’m really excited,” he said.
“Basketball has taken me, multiple times, to all of our States and Territories and afforded me the opportunity to get a taste of the Basketball scene there and be a tourist in my own country. The Sunshine Coast will be no different.
“I know our team have pushed their return flights back and extended their stay for a mini-holiday together, and you know what they say about Queensland, ‘beautiful one day, perfect the next!’”
He also has encouraged Bendigo supporters to do the same.
“We have a deep connection with our community that we invest in and give back to daily, and the Braves brand has been synonymous with Bendigo and at the forefront of its basketball scene for over 40 years,” he said.
“We feel that tangible connection every week and know there will be many supporters that will make the trip north to escape the Bendigo winter of getting into the minuses overnight and immerse themselves in the event, Braves, basketball and the Queensland sun.”
Get your tickets to watch the Bendigo Braves in the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals from the 16-18th of August via Intix here.
For further information on the official destination of the National Finals, head to www.visitsunshinecoast.com
