Falcons eye back to back National Finals glory

Last year’s champions, the Waverley Falcons, return to the NBL1 National Finals in Canberra with confidence and experience on their side.

Bec Cole, who was named MVP of last year’s Championship game after a stunning 33 point performance against Bendigo, says that experience will be invaluable as the Falcons prepare for another three game gauntlet against the best in the country.

“Being able to experience last year's Nationals and how much pressure each game involves and playing three games in three days is definitely an advantage mentally in regards to our preparation and what to expect this time around in Canberra,” Cole said. “Obviously we lost in the semi finals this season so the team is definitely fuelled and ready to go to hopefully go back to back as National Champs.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBL1 (@nbl1)

Her return to top form has been hard earned. A serious hamstring injury with the Southside Flyers in January threatened to derail her 2025 campaign, but Cole says the support of Waverley was crucial in her comeback.

“That was the first time I had ever hurt my hamstring but I have suffered from serious injuries before so I knew I had to put in a lot of hard work in the gym and on the basketball court to get myself prepared for this NBL1 season,” she explained. “The club at Waverley was amazing with me and catering to my needs. When I finally was back on the floor the team and coaching staff filled me with so much confidence and backed me and I think that really showed in my form this season.”

That confidence has translated into her best numbers yet in NBL1 South, averaging 22.4 points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. But Cole insists the Falcons’ leadership group, alongside co-captains Renae Mokrzycki and Amelia Todhunter, has been just as important to the team’s rise.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fraser | Australian Basketball Coach (@coachfraserjackson)

“Renae has been at the club for so long and definitely provides a lot of energy on the floor and makes everyone feel so comfortable. Amelia is our point guard and general on the floor in games. She is a veteran of the game who has played NBL1 and WNBL finals so her leadership is relied upon,” Cole said. “The mix of all of us and what we have done in our careers so far provides us with a lot of experience to help get the best out of one another and handle pressure scenarios in big games.”

As for defending their crown, Cole is clear on the Falcons’ identity.

“I think we win games when everyone is involved, we move the ball and cut and screen with purpose,” she said. “We become really hard to defend when everyone is confident and each individual produces when it is their turn. We are also quite long so being aggressive on defense, junking it up and sticking to our scout, making it hard for other teams to score. We grind it out for 40 minutes so getting our recovery in after every game is a big factor too.”

The reigning champions arrive in Canberra ready for the challenge, with confidence, depth and the experience of a group that has already proven itself on the national stage.