NBL1 North Grand Final Series preview

With possibly six games up for grabs this weekend, make sure to cancel your plans, sit on the couch and tune in for the best of the NBL1 North has to offer. 

Tune in live and free via NBL1.com.au, NBL1 App and Kayo Freebies.

MEN'S NBL1 NORTH GRAND FINALS SERIES

Mackay Meteors vs Brisbane Capitals

Players to watch 

Brisbane: Sam McDaniel

Winning both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Sam McDaniel will have his hands full on both ends. He’ll be tasked with locking down NBL1 North First Team member Isaac White, as well as being the team’s go-to scorer – averaging 22 this season.

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Mackay: Todd Blanchfield

 With Grand Final Series experience from last season’s nail-biting loss to Ipswich, Todd Blanchfield will be mentally and physically ready for the challenge in back-to-back seasons.

Averaging 29 points across three games against the Force, his endurance was not an issue going up against Ipswich’s superstar trio – throwing down a play-of-the-season contender in the process.

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With Brisbane’s defensive focus going towards the likes of White and Jerron Jamerson, Blanchfield will have the opportunity to take the series by storm and push it into Mackay’s favour at home.

The swing factor: Mackay’s home crowd 

Mackay boasts one of the best home crowds in the NBL1 North, with a dedicated regional fanbase helping the club drive a record average of 1,200 fans per game this season.  

Compared to the rest of the NBL1, the North provides a unique advantage for the highest-seeded team, with Isaac White explaining it’s going to be critical to their success this weekend.

Related: Mackay’s secret advantage

“We get a large percentage of the community around our game, which is an advantage in itself,” he said.

“We consider our home court quite an advantage.”


WOMEN'S NBL1 NORTH GRAND FINALS SERIES

Northside Wizards vs Rockhampton Rockets  

Players to watch 

Northside Wizards: Jess McDowell-White

While it’s easy to say the MVP AJ Johnson or the back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Erin Bollmann, star on the rise Jess McDowell-White truly has the chance to emerge on the biggest stage.

The 23-year-old had an outstanding Semi Final against North Gold Coast, scoring 22 points, five rebounds and five assists. With the defence’s attention on Johnson and Bollmann, McDowell-White could be the x-factor in the Wizards’ offence. 

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Rockhampton Cyclones: Lara McSpadden 

Coming off another season where she was named to the NBL1 First or Second Team, superstar forward Lara McSpadden has Rockhamption’s fate in her hands.

With a season average of 17.5 points, 11 rebounds and a block per game, McSpadden has had another regular season to expand her game – building on her skills to ensure the Cyclones can steal a game from the Wizards in this series. 

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The Rockhampton star has racked up 1??6?? first half points ?

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The swing factor: Redemption

During the week, Rockhampton star Sam Bowmn explained that after last season’s 0-2 sweep, the team is desperate not to repeat history. 

“I think that we have a better understanding. I know that last year none of us really had that experience under our belt and now this year almost everyone does,” she said.

“And I know that everybody is looking for redemption.”

Related: Rockhampton seek redemption 

Facing the same opponent on the same court means the Cyclones should be even more motivated, fueled by last season’s loss.