Froling Family Pride on the Line in NBL1 South Grand Finals

Saturday night’s NBL1 South Grand Finals will feature a family storyline unlike any other. Knox Raiders’ Alicia Froling and Melbourne Tigers’ Harry Froling will both take the floor in their respective deciders, aiming to cap off stellar seasons with a championship.

For the Frolings, basketball has always been a family affair. From backyard battles in Townsville to representing Australia on the national stage, Alicia and Harry have each forged their own path in the sport. This weekend, those journeys converge on the same stage, in the same city, on the same night.

The basketball pedigree doesn’t stop there, their sister Keely suited up this season in NBL1 South for the Launceston Tornadoes, while brother Sam previously played in the league for the Dandenong Rangers back in 2019.

Alicia has been a driving force in Knox’s run to the Women’s Grand Final, where they’ll take on undefeated Geelong United. She says the Raiders’ surge after a slower start can be traced to the group finding its rhythm.

“We had a few girls that came into the season a bit later and it always takes time to gel as a unit. Our practices have been super competitive and everyone has bought into our team first system and that has been showing on the court. We also have a great mix of really talented basketball players that are also great people, so it’s such a fun team to be a part of with people that genuinely care about each other and that chemistry shows on the court.”

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The 2022 NBL1 South MVP and two-time All-Star Five member says a championship would mean even more than her individual accolades.

“Winning a championship would be amazing and I’d absolutely rank it higher than those individual awards. Obviously it’s always awesome to be recognised for individual achievements and my MVP year was something I’ll always be super proud of because it was the year I decided to switch shooting hands — but to win a championship with this group would eclipse that. It’s my fourth season at Knox and our core group has been here for a few years trying to achieve this so to win it would be really special.”

Harry, a one-time All-Star Five member and NBL1 South champion with Hobart in 2022, has taken a different road to this Grand Final. After suffering a near-death brain injury in 2023, he was told he might never play sport again. Yet two years later, he has powered Melbourne’s run to the Men’s decider against Sandringham — their second appearance in a Grand Final as they look to go one better than last time.

“It means a lot purely for the fact it’s with one of my best mates in Tom Wilson and playing for Gazey. Our families have intertwined since way back when, and it’s special to represent the historic club, and the Gazes as well seeing how much pride they have in it.”

“Anyone can win on any given day. Play with confidence and let the dominoes fall as they will.”

“It’s cool to play on the same stage as Alicia. She’s been through a lot as well with injury and to see her in a grand final is pretty cool, especially in the same conference.”

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For Alicia, seeing her brother back on court after everything he’s been through makes the occasion even more meaningful.

“It’s really cool that Harry is also in the Grand Final. His story and his comeback has been a literal miracle so to see him back on the court and having so much success makes me so proud and happy for him. With us all playing basketball sometimes it’s hard to support each other in person because we always have things going on so I am looking forward to being able to watch the game and hopefully watch him win a championship.”

The Froling family will be out in force on Saturday, splitting their cheers between two teams and two games — all in the hope of seeing both brother and sister crowned champions by night’s end.

Both NBL1 South Grand Finals will be played on Saturday 16 August at the State Basketball Centre. Catch all the action live and free on Kayo Freebies, or secure your seat to experience the atmosphere in person. Tickets are available now via Intix.

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