Thu
May 1, 2025
Must-Watch Games May 2 - 4
NBL1.com.au
Check out all the must-watch games this weekend!
Share on Social
Related Tags
Feature image via: Rex Bergas
Get around all five conferences playing this weekend, after a long wait, the NBL1 North will tip off Thursday night and start Round 1 of the 2025 season.
Check out the must-watch games below:
Round 1, Friday: Logan Thunder vs Southern Districts Spartans
Women’s live from 6:00pm | Men’s from 8:00pm AEST
At the start of the NBL1 North season, the Logan Thunder will host the Southern Districts Spartans for Round 1, on Kayo Freebies.
The biggest story will be the return of Tiana Mangakahia, playing basketball for the first time since her breast cancer returned. The former conference MVP will play her first official game since 2023.
"Even though the doctors recommend I don’t play, I am feeling great physically, I’m not in any pain and am feeling great with my body,” Mangakahia told Basketball.com.au.
"It’s easy to get in a hole, be sad and cry, however, I truly believe in myself and I believe I will live forever. Like I said when I was first re-diagnosed two years ago.”
Going up against Logan Thunder recruit Leah Scott, it should be a star-studded affair.
On the men’s side, Logan’s Zac Triplett, Matt Kenyon and Callum Dalton will face off against Tamuri Wigness coming back from injury.
It will be a fantastic showing of what the NBL1 North has to offer.
Round 5, Friday: East Perth Eagles vs Warwick Senators
Women’s live from 6:30pm | Men’s live from 8:30pm AWST
A superstar guard match-up will take place on Friday night, as East Perth’s Abby Cubillo will take on MVP runner-up Chloe Forster in a prime-time match-up on both the West and East coast.
Both are stars of the NBL1 competition, and with both teams sitting with at least three wins going into Round 5, this will be a highly competitive clash between two finals hopefuls.
Round 6, Saturday: Southern Tigers vs Sturt Sabres
Women’s live from 6:30pm | Men’s live from 8:30pm ACST
The men’s match-up will be a star-studded affair of Adelaide-based talent.
Sturt have a stacked big three, featuring Sharif Black, Sam Daly and Ben Griscti – coming off a season-high of 29 points. They’ll be going against a dangerous trio of former NBL player Harry Morris, NBL1 West champion Jarrod Molnar and star import Jarvis Doles.
There will be highlights galore between the two teams hunting for a finals position.
Round 5, Saturday: Canberra Nationals & Gunners vs Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders
Men’s from 3:00pm | Women’s live from 5:00pm AEST
Sitting ninth and sixth respectively on the ladder, this game down in the ACT will be one to watch.
With an injury to rising star Jessie-May Hall, Keria Hudson and Lucy Mead will lead the way at 18 and 17 years old, respectively. The pair are averaging 27.7 points and have led the team to a 3-1 record.
On the other side, Carlie McAlister is putting on a show for the Nationals. Averaging 25.4 points, 14 rebounds, 2.8 assists and three steals per game for Canberra, the NBL1 veteran has been a stabilising force all season. Will a talented veteran team overcome the fiery prospects? We’ll find out Saturday afternoon.
Round 5, Sunday: Frankston Blues vs Mount Gambier Pioneers
Women’s live from 1:00pm | Men’s from 3:00pm AEST
Frankston’s Michael Harris will face his old side for the first time this weekend. Making the All-Star Five in 2022, Harris was a superstar for the Mount Gambier Pioneers – leading them to the Grand Final in an eventual loss to Hobart.
In 2023, he made the switch to the NZNBL, then signing in the NBL1 West last year with the Warwick Senators.
Returning to the NBL1 South for 2025, the Blues will take on the historically dominant Pioneers side led by coach Richard Hill. Currently sitting first on the ladder with a 5-1 record, despite losing conference MVP Nick Marshall, the club has rallied and maintained their success.
Watch the game Sunday, live and free via Kayo Freebies.
More News
Naming Rights
Major Partners
.png){kind=logo}
.webp)
