2024 NBL1 Central Grand Finals Preivew

The Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 Central Grand Final will take place on August 10th, between the women’s Central Districts Lions and Forestville Eagles and the men’s South Adelaide Pnathers and Forestville Eagles. 

Related: 2024 NBL1 Grand Finals Tickets!

Check out each game preview below:

CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS VS FORESTVILLE EAGLES

Live from 5:30pm ACST live and free via Kayo Freebies.

Players to watch:

Central Districts: Casey Samuels

After finishing last on the ladder last season, the Lions have pulled off a miraculous turnaround – off the back of Casey Samuels’ return. 

Casey Samuels with a RIDICULOUS assist ???

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Last playing for the club in 2021, she made an All-Star return – averaging 22.6 points, 8.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game and claiming the Halls medal. She had a quiet, by her standards, game in the Preliminary Final last week. But you can expect a much higher production in the Grand Final given her extensive WNBL experience. 

Forestville: Madison Freer 

The Merv Harris Medal (Women's U23) winner will look to cap off a remarkable campaign with a championship trophy on Saturday night.

Freer’s growth has been outstanding throughout the year and she has shown she isn’t afraid of the big stage, leading the way with 20 points and five rebounds in the Preliminary Final triumph last week.

Madison Freer is HER for Forestville ??

She leads everyone with 16 points ?

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Last time they met: Central Districts 86 def Forestville 84, July 20 

These two have already crossed paths in the postseason, clashing in what was an epic overtime finish in the Qualifying Final. Samuels almost recorded a triple-double with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Lilly Ritz had 23 points and 18 rebounds in a win to remember for Lions fans. Safe to say, the Eagles will be looking for revenge on Saturday.

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS VS FORESTVILLE EAGLES

Live from 8:00pm ACST live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

Players to watch:

South Adelaide: Alex Starling

Starling will look to add to his already sparkling SA basketball resume on Saturday night as he hopes to lead his Panthers to the ultimate glory.

Alex Starling is getting busy in the paint ?

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Always stuffing the stat sheet, the Woollacott medallist and Best Defensive Player recorded 23.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks per game this past season, and nothing will be sweeter than topping it all off with a title and a trip to the National Championships.

Forestville: Daniel Johnson

Like a fine wine, Johnson continues to get better with age. The 417 game NBL veteran will be leaned upon to ensure the Eagles stay focused and aren’t overawed by the moment in the Grand Final, a task he is more than capable of achieving. 

Playing for South Adelaide last season, he’s well aware of what lies ahead, with the likes of Alex Starling preparing to lock him down. With a season average of 21 points and 8.9 rebounds this season, he will be Forestville’s go-to player for scoring and leadership. 

Last time they met: South Adelaide 88 def Forestville 73, July 26

It was only a couple of weeks ago when the Panthers powered away from the Eagles in the postseason, using a 44-26 second half to record a comfortable victory. Will South Adelaide be able to replicate the game plan from that successful night, or has Forestville devised a way to change the result in the decider?