NBL1 EAST GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

Today, the top two men’s and women’s teams in the NBL1 East will gather at Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre to battle it out for the ULTIMATE title of NBL1 East 2023 CHAMPION!

After a thrilling season starting with 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s division, it’s now all on the line for the final win. The champions from today’s grand finals will be travelling to the NBL1 National Finals in Joondalup, Western Australia.

Eric Stephens, veteran court announcer, will be our Court Announcer for both the #NBL1East 2023 Mens and Womens Grand Final for 2023. "I love what Basketball NSW is achieving. More people at every level playing the sport, more inclusion and an NBL1 East Conference with incredible talent in players and coaches. To play a small part in the Conference Grand Final is super exciting. I can't wait. Let's go get it," he said at his appointment.

First up, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Norths Bears women will take to the court at 2:00pm, playing for the Coles Express NBL1 East 2023 Women’s title. Manly Warringah have been sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder for most of the 2023 season, but Norths have made a big come-back from their Round 5 upset to Manly Warringah. With both teams hailing from the North Shore regions of Sydney, this match is sure to be thrilling. The Sea Eagles have been led well by Captain and All Star 5 member Kimberley Hodge, and with stand-out performances from DPOTY nominee Antonia Henderson, YPOTY nominee Felicity Henderson, and MVP nominee Alex Delaney – under the skilled eye of Head Coach (and Coach of the Year winner) Nathan Kirwan. However, Norths Bears are feeling confident under their Head Coach – COTY nominee and Opals Asia Cup Assistant Coach Renae Garlepp, and her team featuring YPOTY nominee Carla Pitman, DPOTY nominee Kate Seebohm, and MVP nominee Emily Simons.

There are a few seats left that you can snap up, to attend the game LIVE, or alternatively, you can tune in via Kayo Sports Freebies at home for free.

The Referee Panel for the Women’s Grand Final consists of Jack Taylor (Crew Chief), Michael Beevers (Umpire 1), Nathan Paff (Umpire 2) and Logan Bilby (Reserve).

The Technical Officials for the Women’s Grand Final includes our Statisticians and Score Table officials. Statiscians for this game will be Sean Mackie (Caller), Robyn Dening (Main), Yomwana Bradford (Back up) and Teresa Ruscoe (Spotter). The Score Table will include Keira Rostirolla (Chair), Jeff Cooper (Scorer), Rachel Benton-Doyle (Assistant Scorer), Sue Baxter (Timer) and Michael Bills (Shot Clock). Reserves are Greg Stevenson, Heidi Wong and Tro Manjikian.

Our Commentators for the Women’s Grand Final are Caleb Fogarty and Jacinta Govind, who have provided incredible insight throughout their commentary this season. Check out what they had to say about their appointment below:

“I expect this finals to reflect the extremely high quality basketball we have seen all year in this league.

This being my first year of commentary, I have loved every single second of it. I just had to be part of this years finals any way I could.

Being able to sit in that seat, I have never felt more able to grasp the emotion and energy of what is both happening on the court and in the stands. Being able to see a team cut a 20 point deficit to 2 or someone throw down an insane

slam dunk, and then try and put that excitement filling that building up into words for an audience sitting at home is something that I really enjoy.” – Caleb Fogarty

“I'm really looking forward to the intimate atmosphere of the NBL1 East Final at Sydney Uni. Finals time always has a certain buzz about it and I love the added urgency and desperation that creates the drama of finals.

We are truly privileged to access anything from former Olympians to Future Australia Opals in our backyard with NBL1 East and the only seat for a longtime basketball fan is in the commentary box. 

I am always proud to be selected as a commentator for the NBL1 East finals, not just to represent my club the Central Coast Crusaders, but to also represent the female voice of our league as I was a former athlete myself. I hope by commentating the NBL1 East finals for the second consecutive year can provide representation and a pathway for other former female athletes to consider a career in broadcasting.” – Jacinta Govind

Following Presentations and Winner celebrations, we will have the Sutherland Sharks and Maitland Mustangs Men take to the court for tip-off at 5:00pm, for the Coles Express NBL1 East Men’s Grand Final. This game will undoubtedly leave all spectators on the edge of their seats, being played to a live sold-out crowd which will produce an unrivalled atmosphere. The Sharks boast their roster of Lochlan Hutchison, and dunking superstar, Marquel Beasley – who will be looking to upset Maitland Mustangs, who fell short at the NBL1 East Grand Finals in 2022 to the Canberra Gunners. Mustangs squad, made up of YPOTY nominee Billy Parsons and NBL1 East 2023 Men’s MVP Will Cranston-Lown, will be making the journey to Sydney, and plan on leaving with the title!

This game is now sold out, so if you do not have tickets already, tune in via KayoSports Freebies live and free, and don’t miss out on a minute of the action.

The Referee Panel for the Men’s Grand Final consists of James Boyer (Crew Chief), Haylee Cole (Umpire 1), Bradley Mattioli (Umpire 2) and Marko Nikolic (Reserve).

The Technical Officials for the Women’s Grand Final includes our Statisticians and Score Table officials. Statiscians for this game will be Nikita Bradford (Caller), Sarah Plunkett (Main), Jessie Skeen Fisher (Back up) and Aris Adriano (Spotter). The Score Table will include Peter Nicholas (Chair), Maddie Thacker (Scorer), Nick Rosenberg (Assistant Scorer), Peta Haynes (Timer) and Roupen Zarigian (Shot Clock). Reserves are Greg Stevenson, Heidi Wong and Tro Manjikian.

Our Commentators for the Men’s Grand Final are Matt McQuade  and Davey J (David) Lane, who have provided incredible insight throughout their commentary this season. Check out what they had to say about their appointment below:

“This has been an incredible season with a host of twists and turns and I’m expecting nothing less than an absolute barnburner in the Coles Express NBL1 East men’s Grand Final!

I was privileged to be asked to call last year’s men’s Grand Final between Canberra and Maitland and there was no doubt I wanted the chance to do it again! I’ve loved calling NBL1 East games the past couple of seasons and it’s exciting to be calling games in a competition that’s definitely on the rise.

I’ve been calling NBL, WNBL and NBL1 games for more than 15 years now and there’s nothing like being up close and personal to experience the intensity and atmosphere of game nights; bringing that excitement, energy and drama to the broadcast through my commentary – you want to not only call the play by play but also tell the stories of these amazing athletes.” – Matt McQuade

“I am thrilled and honoured to once again be part of the commentary team for the Coles Express NBL1 East Finals in 2023, after an exciting debut season on-court in 2022.  NBL1 East has boomed in its sophomore year with new teams added, new stars emerging and supporter numbers growing, and to be allowed the opportunity to enhance the quality of the on-court action, with high-standard commentary to supplement the professional technical production, is another way to spotlight the immense talent on the floor.

 Regardless of the sport, Grand Finals always ramp up the tension and are hard-fought encounters, where two proud clubs leave everything on-the-court, in front of a stadium packed with passionate and vocal supporters.  If I can convey that atmosphere and excitement through our broadcast, then my job is done.

 Thank you to all teams for another great year of NBL1 East, it has been a pleasure to call your matches throughout the season.” – Davey J Lane

Davey J has also been selected as our East representative to commentate at NBL1 National Finals in WA.

TUNE IN AND GET READY FOR A HUGE DAY OF ELITE #NBL1EAST ACTION!