NBL1 – Page 4 – CROSS OVER DRIBBLE

NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Sabres steady in Nicola of time once again

It took till the second half but the Sturt Sabres finally saw off the South Adelaide Panthers 62-52 in a solid showing at Springbank.

Photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

3-Minute Read

The Sabres took control with a dominant 33-14 including a 20-2 stretch across the halftime period.

It was the Panthers however that jumped out under new coach Scott Rattus on the Sabres missing Paige Padroth. The Panthers missing Argentinian centre Emmy Garcia Leon charged through the play of Kiera and Hannah Gardiner as the sister act went to work with eight points between them in the first term. Aimee Brett in return from the Cairns Dolphins in NBL1 North last season also looked strong in her distribution and attack on the basket despite Sabres skipper Nicola Mathews breaking her ankles with a smooth crossover move.

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The Sabres however were off target from beyond the arc early were rushed into error as the Panthers took a 12-21 first quarter lead.

The grind was real early in the second with both teams struggling to find scoring opportunities. Despite a welcome return of WNBL Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Tayla Brazel to the fold – the Panthers held a commanding 15 point lead with some great assistance from Bianca Stasinowsky and Woodville Warriors recruit Sophie Evans. Stasinowsky and Evans’ length troubled the Sabres, holding a 21-36 with 2:30 left in the second. That’s when the Sabres struck back through defensive maestro Zoe Walker-Roberts and Brazel as they edged the Sabres back into the contest with a quick 7-2 run to trail 29-38 at the main change.

South Adelaide Panthers Sophie Evans provided a spark in Round One with a career high night in extended minutes – photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

ZWR and Brazel led the Sabres out of the break as the Sabres brought their colellective nature back to the fore with a stout 14-2 run. Brazel made one of the first triples from the night and it opened the gates as Nicola Mathews saw her opportunity to seize. With a young group and newish combination the Panthers spark in the first half looked to have gone out as last year’s runner ups grinded the game back in their favour. The Sabres took the lead back late in the fourth and held a 48-45 lead with one to play.

It was the Sabres turn to jump out of the blocks in the fourth with a 6-0 start as Katia Stamatelopoulos took control of the point position between the sides. In her second year the long guard was active with her hands and positional outworking her opponent on the floor. Given space to operate late however was Nicola Mathews as she drained a triple then made the tip in off the offensive rebound as the Sabres took game one of the season in a controlled and calm manner.

In the Nicola of Time: Sturt Sabres Captain Nicola Mathews had a strong four quarter match with 19 points including an important triple in the final term – Photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

Mathews emerged as the player of the game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, backed up by Brazel with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists in a solid all-round return to the league. Zoe Walker-Roberts started on the pine but had her usual influence with 11 points and 7 rebounds with Stamatelopoulos churning out a handy nine points, four rebounds and two assists with two steals.

It was a bright start from Merv Harris medallist of 2025 Kiera Gardiner with ten points in the first half but finished with 12 points and eight rebounds as her influence was shut down in the second half. Stasinowsky had one of her best games in a long time with 7 points and 8 rebounds and the young core of Daisy Hocking (six points and nine rebounds) and Sophie Evans (Career high 7 points and four rebounds with expanded opportunity) showed some spark for South.

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The numbers that mattered

This was the Sturt Sabres fourth win in a row against the South Adelaide Panthers since 2024
The Sabres took 34 attempts from beyond the perimeter but only made two for the night
The Sabres trailed by 15 points but turned the game with a 20-2 stretch across the halftime break
The Panthers won the rebound count 50-36 including 11 offensive rebounds
The Panthers had 26 turnovers compared to the Sabres 13 in the contest – the Panthers guards had 18 between

The Three Takeaways

Nicola Mathews timing is still and always impeccable when needed
Sophie Evans is a handy pickup for the Panthers
Panthers downhill style will be fun to watch but will take some time to put together over four quarters in terms of motoring management

STURT SABRES 62 (N MATTHEWS 19, BRAZEL 11, Z WALKER-ROBERTS 10, STAMATELOPOULOS 9, M WALKER-ROBERTS 7)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 52 (K GARDINER 12, COX 8, STASINOWSKY 7)

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TOP 5 NBL1 Central Mens Games to watch for in 2026

The new season is less than 50 days away – with a finals defining set of clashes, historic rivalries with additional presence and the Grand Final rematch that might define the outcome of two contenders…

4-Minute Read

It’s time to have a look at the Top 5 NBL1 Central Mens Games to watch for in 2026

#5 – Round 16 – Sturt Sabres vs Eastern Mavericks (Springbank 3:00pm)

*Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / @snapshotphotography3 / Snap Shot Photography*

This could very much be the moment of truth for both these sides after just missing the finals in 2025.

The Sturt Sabres will be looking to return back to the finals race under coach Jacob Dorricott and recruits Jarryd Hoppo, Josh Tomasi, Joel Spear and of course having a fit and firing Jacob Rigoni and Sam Daly return to the pack. They have made the Cave at Springbank a fortress for some teams that have not been able to usurp – including the Eastern Mavericks

The squad assembled this year is a finals or bust group for the Mavs with a core of returning players in BJ Symons, Lachlan Hunter, Jackson Bowden and Noah D’Arcy. The additions however really make a case with Curtis Scott, Dylan Marshall, Harry Morris, Mack Schaftenaar and Christian Peevy strengthening this roster the whole way through in what should be a genuine finals contender.

With only two games to go after this match-up – the result could determine who is back in the top five by seasons end or back in it for the first time in two decades…

#4 – Round 3 – West Adelaide Bearcats vs Forestville Eagles (Port Adelaide 6:30pm)

Jordan Forbes suiting for the Forestville Eagles in 2026 has a knack of being a force on the Bearcats home floor and the blockbuster stage could see emotions high again – *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / @imagesby_dan*

The battle of wiles on a Good Friday at the Bearcat cave will carry even more note in season 2026.

While you know both Dean Nyberg and Andy Simons will keep their cards close to their chest this stage of the season – the talent that will roll out on the floor without even knowing the final make-up of both rosters will put on a high scoring show.

The Bearcats quiet as usual at this time on the recruitment announcement side of things still have their core secondary unit mostly intact and if history is anything to go by expect some high quality NBL and athletic exciting talent at that to take the floor.

The Eagles bring back a majority of their starting five including Adam Doyle, Daniel Johnson, Alex Starling and Greg Mays plus Fiston Ipassou. The big change is the signing of the 2023 MVP and two time all-star five selection Sturt Sabres guard Jordan Forbes.

And we know what’s happened with Forbes and the Bearcats in the past – plenty to consider in the viewing of this contest

#3 – Round 12 – Sturt Sabres vs Central Districts Lions (Springbank 5:00pm)

The Lions are in their window for the championship after falling agonisingly short in 2025 – a Sunday afternoon against a likely contender looms as pivotal / *Feature image from Central Districts Lions*

A late Sunday afternoon blockbuster at a pivotal stage of the season for two finals contenders setting the scene for a must watch clash.

The Sabres as we mentioned above will be in the running around this time while the Central Districts Lions are in their window for a championship right now.

The Lions have their starting five core mainly back with both Kalani and Koen Sapwell to help the Lions climb one better under father and coach Rupert Sapwell. Both Deng Manyang and Magok Manyang will be back and while losing Jack Stanwix to NBL1 South Frankston Blues will hurt – the recruitment of sharpshooter Riley Harrap and athletic long week Jaden Seymour helps cover some of the gap in last year’s grand finalist.

The Lions won at Springbank for the first time since 2014 last season – to do it once can be a flash in the pan but to do it twice shows your credentials to the final dance by seasons end…

#2 -Round 17 – West Adelaide Bearcats vs Central Districts Lions (Port Adelaide 8:15pm)

The Lions rematch with their Grand Final opponents late in the season once again has the ability to shape potentially the finals five positions by seasons end – *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / @imagesby_dan*

Speaking of games that could shape fate – the second meeting of last year’s grand finalists is definitely that.

This one last year was the game that saw the Bearcats discover their defensive identity holding the Lions to 4 points in the second quarter (19-4) in a place where success has been hard to come by.

In fact the Bearcats have won their last five at the Bearcat Cave and not lost there since 2021 – it’s a place the Lions will possibly need to assert some dominance if they are going to be able to knock off the top teams by season’s end again.

Watching this one with great interest…

#1 – Round 4 – Sturt Sabres vs Forestville Eagles (Springbank 7:45pm)

The rematch of these two will have a lot extra with the famous finish ringing in the background of last season- *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / @snapshotphotography3 / Snap Shot Photography*

The Bauer/Newley cup doesn’t need even more drama does it?

We are going to get that though when Jordan Forbes plays his former side and some incredible match-ups between the two we’ve seen the last few seasons. The two historic rivals have had six single point games since 2021 with at least one each season but the Sabres have not seen off the Eagles at home since 2024 dropping their last two to them.

Regardless of personnel both teams always put on the show worth the watch and if last year’s finish was anything to go by – we’ll likely get something similar once again.

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TOP 5 NBL1 Central Womens Games to watch for in 2026

The new season is less than 50 days away – with renewed and ever-ageing rivalries, a match of the next step to finals and the possible pivotal match-ups in the final rounds of the season as teams jostle to stay in the hunt…

5-Minute Read

It’s time to have a look at the Top 5 NBL1 Central Womens Games to watch for in 2026

#5 – Round 14 – Norwood Flames vs South Adelaide Panthers (ARC 6:00pm)

U20 stars will feature across the NBL1 Central including Merv Harris Medallist Keira Gardiner – *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / @picture_itsportphotography*

These two teams are my tip to be big improvers after both just missed finals in 2025. The Panthers boasting Daisy Hocking, Keira and Hannah Gardiner along with a solid multiple season core of Hatti Cox, Bella Stratford, Bianca Stasinowsky and Hannah Stewart will likely be coming off some tough matches against the Sturt Sabres, West Adelaide Bearcats and Forestville Eagles.

The Norwood Flames who they’ll meet will sparkle this season with Caitlin Shillabeer, Annie Elliott and the returning Amy Cotton to our league while still maintaining a core of their own in Jemima Whitton, Maddy Hinton and Brooke Silby – both these teams with new head coaches in Scott Rattus and Matt Hunt boast a core that have been together for several years whilst also some young guns to take them to the next level.

With four games to go after they meet – around this time of the season I feel both these teams will be right in the mix to snare a return to the finals which makes this one to keep an eye on even before the season gets underway…

#4 – Round 18 – Eastern Mavericks vs Central District Lions (St Francis 6:15pm)

By this time of the season both teams will have a good idea of how they can launch to the future in the second year’s of their main core groups – *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / CS Photographics*

The Mavs and Lions women have been working feverishly behind the scenes to lock in multiple players in for consecutive season to help maintain some consistency in their performance – then recruit accordingly to top up the talent.

Both teams will be about a year into this process with the Mavs establishing Bella Schaftenaar, Sophie Miles, Lou Watkinson, Elli Constanopolous and Airlie Ramsey plus several others – their ceiling defined by how imports Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria & Brooklyn Rewers hold up to how far they’ll rise from the cellar.

The Lions in a similar position with their list have confirmed some strong recruits in Grace Stone, Alana Howden, Emily Winter and Elin Gustavsson returning to the league – the same as for the Mavs applies to them.

While this game might not jump out on paper – by the time contextually we arrive at this stage of the season we will see how far off a rise up the table both these teams could make in future seasons with plenty of returning college players on the cards for the following seasons to further strengthen their push back to future finals calculations.

#3 – Round 4 – Sturt Sabres vs Forestville Eagles (Springbank 6:00pm)

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The historic rivalry for the Bowley/Simons cup is always a must watch and the treat this time around is that we are a few rounds in and not the first game of the season. Both teams will be up and running by that time and are two of the teams that should figure in the finals calculations of 2026.

The record suggests the trend will continue with the margin an average of 6.75 in their last four meetings with three one point thrillers since 2023. If that’s not enough the Eagles will be full of fire under new coach Matt Paps to avenge their semi-final loss against the Sabres in the 2025 Finals Series.

The moments have been tight between these two and there’s no reason to think this game won’t deliver once again.

#2 -Round 18 – Sturt Sabres vs West Adelaide Bearcats (Springbank 6:30pm)

While the margins might have been tight – the Sabres have a strong record against the Bearcats since the 2022 Grand Final but will another WNBL assistant coach’s return change all that??? – *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / Dan Cowley | @imagesby_dan*

While also keeping an eye on their Round 9 meeting at the Port – there’s a bit of historical significance riding on this one already. These two meet the last game of the season and like last season the result could determine their placement on the final ladder by season’s end.

The Bearcats will have Southside Melbourne Flyers assistant and master coach Matthew Clarke at the front who if history suggests is likely to bring some handy players into the lineup to complement a large portion of the U20s group while Tim Shortt will likely roll back a large amount of last year’s finalists with the likely welcomed return of Adelaide Lightning guard Tayla Brazel.

You can add to that the average margin of 5.4 points and the Sabres having won on their home floor their last five against and not lost there since 2021 to the Bearcats to add even more drama.

And don’t forget that #14 of the Sabres has hit the game winning basket twice in their last two meetings at Springbank- surely a third we can dream of…

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#1 – Round 9 – North Adelaide Rockets vs Forestville Eagles (Lights 6:30pm)

Maddy Freer will join sister Jordyn Freer & former coach and Lightning assistant Georgia Crouch at the Rockets in 2026 – *Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au / NBL1 Central*

When these two meet in Round 9 – it’s going to be a must watch encounter with ex-teammates and coaches involved. Georgia Crouch will take the helm of the North Adelaide Rockets with ex-Eagle Maddy Freer in 2026 with points to prove.

While the Eagles have continued to maintain their flight the last few years the Rockets have not been able to jump up into the top-three conversation – that changes in 2026 with the squad they’ve assembled with both Freer’s, Lauren Mansfield, Abbey Jones, Ella Batish and much of their core back both experienced and upcoming.

The Eagles have their starters back in and locked again with Ella Sawyer, Gabi Vidmar, Jess and Sam Simons and Rachel King looking to return to the final for the first time since 2024.

Expect a season defining contest and a little bit extra as well…

NEW – PITCH TO THE PUBLIC

It takes 4 hours a week to write, research and produce our content but we want to write extra content this next few months so we thought we’d pitch to the public

Here are the next lot of articles up for pitching – subscribe to get these written

“All about Ability – the last five year’s of the Men’s Ivor Burge Program”

“The all-time Adelaide Lightning All-Stars Team – Naming the team of the past 30 years of Adelaide Lightning players”

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Another eight new $24 Shotclock subscribers or contributors directly will have both pieces done for production

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