NBL1 South 2025 Grand Final Previews

After more than five months of battles, the race for the 2025 NBL1 South championship comes down to one night. In the Women’s competition, undefeated Geelong United face a Knox Raiders team riding a wave of momentum. In the Men’s, the Melbourne Tigers and Sandringham Sabres meet in an all-Victorian showdown between two of the league’s hottest teams.

Women’s Grand Final

Geelong United vs Knox Raiders
16 August 4:00 pm AEST Live and Free on Kayo Freebies

The dream matchup is here, with one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts facing one of its most dominant frontcourts.

Geelong arrive with a perfect 24–0 record, becoming the first NBL1 South women’s team to go undefeated since the 2023 Bendigo Braves. Their success has been driven by Jaz Shelley (20.08 PPG, 6.21 APG, 7.29 RPG, 3.54 SPG), whose playmaking and scoring have set the tone all season. She is joined by Hannah Hank (16.87 PPG, 8.78 RPG), giving Geelong a powerful one-two punch inside and out.

In their 80–72 preliminary final win over Diamond Valley, Shelley added 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Hank posted a double-double of 10 points and 12 boards. Gemma Potter (15.71 PPG) chipped in with 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Lilly Rotunno stepped up with a game-high 22 points on 8/14 shooting.

Knox’s pathway to the decider included an 11-game winning streak to end the regular season, a grind-it-out qualifying final over Dandenong, and an 80–73 preliminary win over Keilor. Alicia Froling (18.71 PPG, 9.63 RPG) remains the Raiders’ anchor inside, and in the prelim she had 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals. Paige Bradley’s 26-point, 6-assist, 5-rebound performance against Keilor was a game-winner, while Kristy Wallace (10.50 PPG, 3.43 APG) and Rachel Bell (11.45 PPG) round out their potent core.

Their only meeting in 2025 came in Round 7, when Geelong claimed an 89–71 win. Knox were missing key pieces in that game, including Agnes Emma-Nnopu, Kristy Wallace, and Katelyn Young, meaning Saturday’s Grand Final will be the first time the two sides meet at full strength.

Can Geelong complete the perfect season? Or will Knox hand them their first loss in the game that matters most?

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Men’s Grand Final

Melbourne Tigers vs Sandringham Sabres
16 August 7:30 pm AEST Live and Free on Kayo Freebies

Two of the league’s most in-form sides collide for the 2025 championship.

Melbourne’s post-season run has been fuelled by Tom Wilson, who averaged 23.83 PPG (third in the league) and delivered one of the performances of the year in the 89–86 preliminary win over Knox, dropping 42 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds in a clutch display. His combination of shot-making and playmaking makes him a constant threat, especially when paired with Jack Purchase (20.96 PPG), whose shooting and versatility stretch defences. Inside, Harry Froling (18.62 PPG, 8.69 RPG) provides a physical post presence and rebounding edge, while Michael Wearne (18 points in the prelim) adds scoring punch from the perimeter.

Sandringham’s turnaround from an 0–6 start to a 17–2 finish is one of the stories of the season. Ben Ayre, the league’s scoring champion at 27.26 PPG, is the engine of their offence, capable of taking over games in a matter of minutes. He is joined by Malith Machar (20.84 PPG), whose athleticism and length create matchup headaches on both ends of the floor. Fabijan Krslovic, coming off the bench, anchors the interior, and his 17-point, 12-rebound performance in the preliminary win over Mount Gambier showed how important he is to the Sabres’ balance. Their 95–87 victory in that game showcased both their scoring depth and defensive resilience. 

The Sabres also claimed their only regular season meeting with Melbourne in Round 8, winning 92–71 thanks to their defensive pressure and a combined scoring surge from Ayre and Machar. Melbourne will be out to flip that result knowing their own offensive firepower is more than capable of matching Sandringham’s. This is Sandringham’s second appearance in the NBL1 South Grand Final after falling short in 2022, and they will be eager to go one better this time.

Will Melbourne rise to claim the title? Or will Sandringham’s remarkable comeback season end with championship glory?