NBL24 RD 3 – Sixers block party key to clipping Hawks wings

The Sixers have shown glimpses in a tough start to NBL24 where stringing together a four quarter performance has proved the biggest challenge – however could the advent of Trey Kell III unleashing against the Kings and the recent season form of Isaac Humphries undo a chaotic but no doubt highly potent offensive Illawarra Hawks.

Here’s the preview of the “Pink Slam” today in Round 3 of the NBL… 

Kell sent - Trey Kell III had a breakout game for his new club and needs to continue that upward trend against the Hawks this afternoon - Photo Credit to Adelaide 36ers/NBL

We are a couple of rounds into a brand new summer of basketball with NBL24 and WNBL24 just around the corner

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4-Minute Read

NBL ROUND 3

Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks

When: 5:00pm (ACDT), Saturday 14 October

Where:  Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au

SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY

My first game in basketball media – Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks

Checkout this preview for my first game I did between the Adelaide 36ers and the Illawarra Hawks – pretty close to on this day a month and 7 years ago

Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks


When: 5:00pm (AEDT), Saturday, 12th November 2016
Where: Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Broadcast: NBL TV, Fox Sports, Sky Sports

Last times they’ve met:

Rd 1: Illawarra Hawks 122 (Clarke 23, Harris 21, Holyfield 14) defeated Adelaide 36ers 88 (Creek 24, Randle, Deng 13) at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.

In Wollongong 2015/16: Illawarra Hawks 106 (Ogilvy 17, Lisch 16, Weeks 14) defeated Adelaide 36ers 95 (Johnson 20, Randle 15, Ere 12)

In Adelaide 2015/16: Adelaide 36ers 104 (Ere 28, Johnson 19, Creek 15) defeated Illawarra Hawks 94 (Lisch 24, Coenraad 17, R Martin 15)

Throwback Thursday Classic Memory Match:

2001 Semi-Final Game Three: Wollongong Hawks 109 (Melvin Thomas 28, Lowery 20) defeated Adelaide 36ers 108 (Brooks 26, Maley 21)

Former 36ers player Mark Nash recalls this as being his most memorable game for all the wrong reasons and probably was the significant day that the Hawks developed a strong rivalry with the 36ers. The game ebbed and flowed the whole way through as it had during the semi-final series. It came down to a controversial call in game three on Darnell Mee fouling pesky Hawks guard Damon Lowery flailing his arms and legs in the air and gaining a crucial trip to the stripe for three shots. Lowery knocked down the first one kissing the front of the rim and dropping in. The second one did the same but the third was an agonising eight bounces and touched every part of the rim including window until like a dagger it dropped into the 36ers finals campaign. What many call the most pulsating finish to a playoff game in NBL history had sent the Hawks to what would be a Grand Final series that yielded them and the state of NSW their first NBL championship.

Key Match-Ups:

Jerome Randle vs. Mitch Norton/Kevin White

In round one in the first game of the season, Hawks coach Rob Beveridge sent his two defensive guards in Norton and White to lockdown Randle. The tactic was to niggle, play physical and see if they could disrupt Randle’s rhythm within the boundaries of the rules. Randle will need team support of screens and scoring from Sobey, Teys and Drmic to handle the one two punch from the Hawks. Joey Wright will also be wary of giving Randle some protection from the two physical guards. After 40pts against the Wildcats last Saturday, the Hawks will look to put a majority of their energy
into stopping him.

Anthony Drmic vs. Tim Coenraad

Drmic received notice from coach Wright last week and it payed off with a 17pt game against the Wildcats.  The sharp shooter used his body strength well against the Wildcats and will need to again against the Hawks Nick Kay and Tim Coenraad given another week on the sideline for Daniel Johnson. As much as the Hawks bigs are mobile, taking them out of the post is a bigger challenge for them to go for  the perimeter shooter and definitely taking them out is better for Drmic and for the 36ers other forwards Deng, Jacobsen and Hodgson.

On the flip side, one of the 36ers weaknesses in recent years on defence has been the 6 and half foot man that can shoot the three ball such as Tim Coenraad. Coenraad loves playing in Adelaide with a solid average of 11 pts per game and will be a key feature of the contest with his all-round ability but particularly his ability to light up offensively.

Eric Jacobsen vs. AJ Ogilvy

The recruitment of Jacobsen has been crucial to freeing up the Sixers big shooting men as he has manned the paint in their place. Last time and he needs no reminding his first game against the Hawks was a shocker as Ogilvy dominated their first meeting. “For this game I’m going to be wary of staying on the floor longer,” Jacobsen said about the foul trouble he incurred early in round one.

Ogilvy hasn’t always had his best games in Adelaide and often finds it difficult to counter the perimeter shooting ability of Johnson but Jacobsen will need to look at mid-rangers to drag the Hawk giant out of the paint. “I’ll be out there supporting my team and having a good battle with Ogilvy,” Jacobsen reassured.

36ers by 6pts
Written by Tristan Prentice

Key Matchups

Trey Kell III vs Tyler Harvey   

Are we starting to see the real Kell that Trey can deliver? 28 points against the Kings shows he is capable of being a week in and week out scorer – here’s hoping its an upward trend

For something different listen to this part of the interview during this week’s SA Shotclock here from the 12:10 minute mark

Isaac Humphries vs Sam Froling

With the Sixers situation they are in this season – “Ice” has become very important in the context of the season. He has a very good record against the Hawks with 15.5 points at 57 percent the last three seasons. He’s a big problem in the paint with the Hawks already down one of their bigs in Mason Peatling (cheekbone)

More responsibility comes to the Australian Boomer squad member for the initial World Cup squad in Froling. Froling averages 10.5 points at 47.5 percent with 8 rebounds against the Sixers the last three years. He will need to lift if the Hawks are to gain ascendancy in the paint.

Kyrin Galloway vs Lachlan Olbrich

Both are tracking similar paths already in NBL24 with Galloway having a career best start to his year statistically. Although a few years older than his matchup in Olbrich – Galloway is already averaging 4.5 points shooting it at a healthy 35 percent, five rebounds and is in the top five for blocks in the league with seven already in four matches. Having said that I’d love to see him get inside more this match and really take advantage of the Hawks lack of size.

But it wouldn’t be the first time an SA born player returns to wreck vengeance on the home state and Olbrich has the opportunity to show his former club how much he could’ve been well used by them. The MVP of the NBL1 Central Grand Final is already starting to turn heads with his 5.5 points at 63 percent, six rebounds. I’m worried about this player for the Sixers as I feel he’s ready to have a big one on the “home” floor.

THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON

Hang on! The Sixers traditionally go to sleep in the third quarter – why the reverse trend in NBL24?  

Something unusual compared to previous seasons is the Sixers ability to find momentum after half-time – after following their previous trend of past seasons the Sixers have won their past two third quarters 20-29 and 18-24. That possibly tells you a couple of things. The locker-room is a happier place and that the team are responding and rallying to CJ and his coaching staff when they are down.

Its small at the moment but another third quarter win today and you’d have to suggest there has been some changes that might be worth asking him post game about…

Do the Hawks have enough continuity to get Jackomas defensive sets run?  

It seems at the moment its the biggest challenge for the Hawks and after giving up another 103 points Thursday night against the Jackjumpers – its a worrying sign however it is early in the season. With a few new guys and the combo of Justin Robinson and Harvey still adjusting to each others games – If the Hawks win they’ll probably hit the 100s again and be lethal from beyond the arc.

Out of Adelaide’s imports who needs the bigger game Kell or Wiley?    

It has to be Kell – if he can drop two big ones in a row it’ll alleviate much of the Sixers fans anxiety of their team and show he can be the go to guy down the stretch in future contests.

It will also tell us a lot more about what the Sixers need for their third import spot or the equivalent of another local player -another DJ perhaps???

So who wins?

The Sixers are showing some upward trending across key parts of their last two contests and on paper hold some key strengths over their opponents. However you can’t underestimate this Hawks team that has some significant offensive power. While they are adjusting defensively – so are the Sixers.

Considering what’s ahead and a missing piece still to be added – this is an early take care of business at home and get off to a good start in a three game home streak where hopefully by the end of next Saturday we’ll see the Sixers balance out their WL record.

COD Prediction: 36ers by 11 points

Catch all the action today at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guests Scott Freer whether you’re at the game or watching from home

Cluch Radio

NBL24 RD 1 – Striking out Goulding by uniting against United

The clock has already started ticking according to most pundits before even the first home game of the season – with already many lobbing for this Sixers team to finish last in NBL24, a stark reminder needs to be issued as to what happened the last time this club was predicted for the bottom…

Let’s see what holds for today’s match against Melbourne United – a team that has a stranglehold over the Sixers the past half a decade.

It's been a Wiley - The Adelaide 36ers will welcome back fan favourite Jacob Wiley for the first time since 2019 but can he have the same impact and a bit more in NBL24

We are at the start of a brand new summer of basketball with NBL24 and WNBL24 just around the corner

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4-Minute Read

NBL ROUND 1

Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United

When: 1:30pm (ACDT), Sunday 1st October

Where:  Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum

Broadcast: 10 PEACH, Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au

SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY

Game 4 Grand Final Series 2018: DJ spins the series back in Sixers favour

Checkout this swoop back to a pivotal game in the 2018 series against United

https://sacrossoverdribble.com/2018/03/25/sixers-square-simmering-question-filled-contest-nbl-grand-final-week-two/

After a controversial game three in Melbourne, Game four of the series was one of the most memorable games seen at the Adelaide 36ers Arena

Key Matchups

Trey Kell III vs Chris Goulding   

Started in Sixers colours on fire before fading late in the game – but already looks like a piece missing from previous seasons. That kind of outside scoring threat is what the Sixers have lacked in recent seasons. The Sixers were ranked ninth in three point makes in NBL23 and the former South East Melbourne Phoenix import fills a huge need for Adelaide no question.

Then at the other end is the man that has hurt Adelaide consistently especially in more recent years. According to spatial jam, Goulding has averaged 16 points and three triples made the past half a decade – but its the big moments when he’s hurt the Sixers in the past as we know. He’ll be a key to lock down in this one given his history of finding points when it counts against Adelaide.

Jacob Wiley vs Luke Travers

It was solid opening night for Wiley in his return to the Sixers with a near double double of 15 points and nine rebounds. Has had plenty of experience in recent seasons overseas with Gran Canaria, Panathinaikos, Basket Zaragoza, Shiga Lakes and most recently Vaqueros de Bayamon. These are very familiar clubs to the worlds players with Wiley averaging 12 points and five rebounds. Since then across various leagues he’s averaged 14 points, four rebounds and his efficiency continued to grow averaging 12 per match. The pressure without Franklin now and an import hole is squarely on him in the opening round as the Sixers fans will be expecting him to be at the better level than his NBL19 stint.

Luke has Travers”ed” his way to Melbourne as a man on a mission and taking out player of the game on opening night with 20 points at 46 percent and eight rebounds. What was notable compared to his role at Perth was his outward attack on the rim – scoring ten of his points within eight feet. He’s that mid-sized dynamic player Adelaide have always had trouble guarding.

Jason Cadee vs Tanner Krebs

They needed some stable and perimeter presence and thats what Jason Cadee provides for the Sixers on his return. Cadee I feel has been highly underused in recent seasons averaging just 10 points per game – it’s a long distance from his Kings days in 2015-2016 where he was up around the 14 points mark. He’s coming off another dominant Gold Coast Rollers season in NBL1 North where he took out MVP and averaged 26.1 points, 12.2 assists. He enjoyed his time in Adelaide when he was last here with Brisbane scoring 18 points in the Ken Cole-seum so he knows the venue well and can get his eye in early in front of the Sixers fans.

It’s a case of same departure lounge but different destinations with Krebs looking to further his career in Melbourne. He comes off a career average of 5.86 points and 2.5 rebounds after three seasons with the Bullets – he started with 8 points and four rebounds on Thursday night against the Phoenix. His impact off the bench for United in the absence of Ian Clark will be key to the backup unit’s contribution.

THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON

How much do we read into the happenings during the blitz?  

Clearly not that much given the Sixers have won the last two and finished outside the playoffs. Maybe this time around its a case of the slow build and while yes Franklin is another import cut joining a long list of imports released early in the season the past half a decade including Deleon, Deshon Taylor, Donald Sloan and Craig Randall II – at least they have given themselves time to turn things around before it became a bigger issue.

Maybe they should have something “cooking” behind the scenes just in case anyway.

How do you unsettle United?  

It’s a tough one as defensively they are very tough under Vickermann. In NBL23 United were number one in the league for points conceded with 98 points which was incredible strange. Roll it back to NBL22 and they were number one with 79.4. They started by holding the Phoenix to 67 points which included 20 points of their own from turnover. The Sixers looked their best on the turn off their rebounds straight into transition offence so perhaps where they can get United is pushing the ball hard up the floor and attacking the rim early in offence with Hukporti the only genuine big in this team currently minus JLA.

Is it a point guard or a forward centre Adelaide need as a third import?    

I’m not sure even the club knows right now – if we look at the small sample size its not even that clear. Averaging around 20 turnovers during the blitz but only conceding 12 on Friday night shows maybe its not a point guard. After a 28 point opening quarter they scored 12 and 13 in consecutive quarters so perhaps a scoring guard. Lastly it was 62-47 on the glass and Humphries (17 points and seven rebounds) as good as he was perhaps needs the extra help.

Today will tell us more about the Sixers needs and more pressing desires.

So who wins?

The Sixers showed some good signs early on Friday night but clearly are still a work in progress with missing pieces. After Sobey and Smith managed to hit the scoreboard for the Bullets I’m not sure the Sixers are quite ready yet.

United has also won eight of the last ten against Adelaide since 2021 – their recent record is too good to go against with so much uncertainty – but I hope I’m wrong.

COD Prediction: United by 11 points

Catch all the action today at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guests Scott Freer and Louis McKenna whether you’re at the game or watching from home

Cluch Radio

2023 NBL1 CENTRAL GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

It’s here… one team looking to replicate Rocket’s Hill of 2018, the other to pull off the incredible rise of fire. Then it’s star-studded Bearcats of the West up against the flying Eagles. Here’s how they got here, the history and the all-important factors that will determine this Saturday night’s NBL1 Central Grand Finals.

Tonight's Grand Finals are in the hands of these four players - Wilson (Norwood) can swing it the Flames way, Brazel (Sturt) was influential in the final term of their last encounter, Machar (Forestville) elevated to another level the last time they met and can go further and Drmic (Bearcats) can break the game open in multiple ways...

3-Minute Read

Women’s Grand Final Preview: Sturt Sabres vs Norwood Flames

When: 5:30pm (ACST), Saturday August 12

Where: Adelaide 36ers Arena, Findon 

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, www.nbl1.com.au

The last time

SF: Sturt Sabres 66 (Brazel 16, N Mathews 13, Williams 12) defeated the Norwood Flames 54 (Smith 12, Wilson 9)

How they got here

The Sturt Sabres made it to their third grand final in four seasons, beating the Flames 66-54 at the Cave with a great coaching move and a strong second-half performance from Tayla Brazel. After a quiet first half Brazel emerged as a scoring threat with seven points for the third term. In the final term, Sabres coach Tim Shortt surprised the Flames by using a small ball lineup, including players like Brazel, Rigoni, the Mathews sisters, and Walker-Roberts. This strategy helped them beat the Flames and keep Ally Wilson from scoring.

The Norwood Flames created their own furnace in the second quarter to setup an early upset in the finals series with a pulsating 75-83 win against the Southern Tigers at the Cage. Jorjah Smith from Oakden Wolves/NBL1 West East Perth Eagles scored 20 points in 11 minutes during the second quarter, including six of nine three-pointers, giving the Flames the lead at halftime (46-60). Wilson and her Flames had the answers at every turn managing to hold off the Tigers by the finish. Smith finished with 22 points from the pine leading the Flames to eleven triples at 32 percent with Ally Wilson masterful on the down-hill drive with 19 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. After slipping up to the Sabres in the final term of their qualifying semi-final – things turned in their preliminary final second chance. Superstar Ally Wilson put the Norwood Flames into their first Grand Final since 2016 with a fire-powered 79-69 win at the ARC. Leading 33-29 at the main break was when Ally Wilson took the game by the scruff of the neck and heaved it into her team’s favour with a raucous home crowd. Wilson was unstoppable, scoring 14 points and getting seven rebounds to help the Flames reach the women’s Grand Final for the first time in almost seven years.. Wilson was above and all conquering and left plenty in awe with her 34 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Sabres are currently undefeated at 19-0 going into the Grand Final. The last team to go through the whole season 20-0 was the North Adelaide Rockets in 2018, led by Jo Hill in her final season at 45 years old! The Flames have changed their list completely since round one and did not even announce their head coach before the first game. Despite being in the bottom five in the first half of the season, they were the last team to recruit and are now the only team left to challenge the undefeated Sabres..

Championship history

Sabres have been in four grand finals in the past decade, in 2011, 2014, 2019, and 2022. The last three finals were an average margin of five points. While not an official NBL1 season, they also won the ABC 2020 against the Southern Tigers. The Sabres have been in the championship decider nine times, and they have won five matches. This included two across 2006 and their last one 14 years ago in 2008, featuring stars Renae Camino (Garlepp) and the Bowley sisters of Monique and Hannah.

This is the Flames’s first appearance since the 2015 and 2016 deciders where they defeated the North Adelaide Rockets (59-42) and the West Adelaide Bearcats (63-45). They have made fourteen grand finals with their first way back in 1978, previously dominating the 2010s taking out four of the titles. Defence has been a big part of their championships with the average score conceding 54.62 points per each of their eight championship wins. The Flames elite players of the 2010s included Adelaide Lightning’s Jess Foley and Amy Lewis with Australian Opal and joint Halls Medallist Kristen Veal also a part of championship teams.     

Despite Sturt and Norwood being contenders for the 2000s and 2010s – they’ve never met in the Women’s Grand Final in what will be a first for the state league.  

The stats

– The Sturt Sabres are #1 in the league for offensive markers including points (80.3), field goals (41.4), Points in the paint (39), Points from turnover (12.9), Bench points (27.3) and Assists (20.2)

– They are also leading the league in defensive categories including steals (13.1), opposition points conceded (62.9), opposition three-point shots attempted (16.4), opposition bench points (10.9), opposition rebounds (42.3), opposition assists (12.4), opposition turnovers (23.6).    

– The Sabres have eight players averaging five or more points, with Williams and Brazel leading with 18.6 and 14.6 respectively. Five players have two or more assists per game, with Nicola Mathews leading with 3.6. Seven Sabres have at least one steal per game, with Brazel as the league leader with 3.5 per game.

– The Flames are in the top three for scoring (77.6), three-pointers attempted (28.3), Points in the paint (35.5), Points from turnover (10.2), defensive rebounding (47.1), steals (12.2), opposition field goal percentage (35.8) and opposition points in the paint (28.7).

– Ally Wilson leads the way in most categories as #1 in assists (7.6), #3 in rebounding (10.8), #4 in the league for scoring (20.9 points) and steals (2.5).

– The Flames have six players averaging nine points or more per game with Sharna Thompson the best at 21.8, seven players averaging four or more rebounds, four players averaging two or more assists and six players at least averaging one steal per game.     

The Money Women

Mikayla Williams is crucial to the Sabres’ success, as shown in the 2022 Grand Final where she played a significant role. The Bearcats held the back-to-back Halls Medallist to four points in their 26-8 second quarter which set up their win. Against the Flames in 2023 she averages 14 points (-2 on the season) and 16 rebounds (+5.3 rebounds) (6.6 offensive rebounds), 2.6 assists (+1.2) and 1.6 steals – while points are down her influence on the glass is the key to the Sabres going 20-0 in the season.  

Ally Wilson’s influence in this series has been evident throughout the year and she could have won the MVP award. Wilson’s performance in the finals is outstanding, with an average of 20.6 points, 16.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.6 steals. Her rebounding has also improved by four, while her other stats remain consistent with her season averages. In fairness, the Sturt game was the one that dented these numbers. I think she’ll know this and if it comes down to taking over the game at the crunch – one last deadly performance may seal the elusive title for the Flames.  

The Reliable Women 

Nicola Mathews is the servant of this Sabres team – and she does it in different ways. She can hit the outside triple when required at crunch time or turn up the defence in the post can the 25-year-old. Averaging nine points at 42 percent, 3.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds – Mathews’s numbers don’t truly reveal her ability to come up with the big play at the right moment. Without going into too much detail, she’s done it more than once this season.    

Sophie Kerridge was my vote for the most improved player in 2023 and has been a big factor at both ends of the floor for the Flames. Her numbers are up from 2022 with plus 5.7 in points (11.9), 1.3 rebounds (4.2), 0.7 assists (4.3), 0.4 in steals and equalled her shooting percentage with 45 percent. Add to her ability to shut down the big-time guard players like Yaeger and Jasmin Fejo and you have one of the efficient reasons the Flames have made it all the way.    

The X-Factors

Tayla Brazel is the missing piece from last year’s decider has been in incredible form. Chris Lucas a few years ago when he was coaching the Adelaide Lightning was not wrong about what the 19-year-old is capable of. In the semi-finals, she played as a centre and showed remarkable versatility, providing a glimpse into the future of basketball. With her speed, strength, versatility, and concentration, she’s well-equipped to stop Wilson, which is her principal task. Rising talent Lightning players have shown their intent in grand finals with memorable performances, like Mia Murray in 2009. This could be another moment for the Gem in Brazel.       

Sharna Thompson is the prominent figure in all the Flames games, with much riding on her shots dropping from beyond the arc. In the Flames wins this season Thompson has averaged 4.6 makes versus losses where it’s 4.5. The big difference is the number of attempts with 12.9 compared to 11.9. Thompson can tear the game apart shooting-wise in any quarter and the Flames might need her to do it again to clinch the title.

COD Prediction: Sabres by 5 points    

Men’s Grand Final Preview: Forestville Eagles vs West Adelaide Bearcats

When: 8:00pm (ACST), Saturday August 12

Where: Adelaide 36ers Arena, Findon 

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, www.nbl1.com.au

The last time

QSF: West Adelaide Bearcats 81 (Drmic 25, DeSantis, Olbrich 16, McCarron 15) defeated by Forestville Eagles 83 (Machar 26, Mays 20)

How they got here

Forestville Eagles won against Sturt Sabres with a thrilling 90-89 score, but there was some late tension. Doyle scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to give his team a 16-point lead, but the Sabres made a comeback and the game was won by Greg Mays with a single free throw. Mays was the equal game scorer with 32 points, nine rebounds and two blocks with Machar monstering his way to a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Adam Doyle controlled the contest with 26 points, seven assists, three rebounds and steals.

The Eagles, then in the semi-final qualifier, upset the West Adelaide Bearcats at the death at Port Adelaide 81-83. Malith Machar showed his growth and maturity with a huge third term (16 points), especially with his skipper Adam Doyle quiet on the scorecard points wise but dishing it up to Machar at every opportunity and gave the Eagles the ascendancy 62-65 at the final change. In a pulsating final few minutes, Anthony Drmic put the Bearcats in front with a basket 79-80. With twelve seconds left and the ball in the Eagles hands, Doyle made the big-time layup. Out of the time out Drmic took a heavily contested layup away from the window and in forcing to foul sent Machar to the line for a free throw. Drmic tried for redemption from half court, coming up agonisingly short with the ball rimming and the Eagles through to the decider.

West Adelaide Bearcats then snuffed out any notion of a let down defeating Sturt Sabres 96-73 at the Port in the Preliminary Final. Drmic bit the Sabres early while Illawarra Hawks Lachlan Olbrich soared as they both notched 10 first-quarter points – Drmic working in a phone box on the three-point line and Olbrich beasting inside jumping them in front 25-12 after one and they were never headed from there. Drmic set the tone from the start with 27 points, eight rebounds and three assists while McCarron delivered, dished and even helped himself in his 21 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Olbrich was too big and strong with all those deliveries with 14 points and six rebounds and DeSantis put the cherry on top of a wonderful performance with 18 points.

The script has flipped for the Eagles coming into this one with an Andy Simons well-gelled team compared to the star-studded one of 2022 and the Bearcats led by the master of the “star” team Dean Nyberg looking to put it all together one more time to seal the championship season domination they’ve held.

Championship history

The Eagles have a rich history of the men’s making and winning the deciding match. They’ve been in 15 Grand Finals winning seven of them – if you include West Torrens it’s eight of 20 since 1958. In 2019, The Eagle’s won their largest Grand Final victory with a 27-point victory over the Mt Gambier Pioneers, surpassing their usual eight-point winning margin. Adam Doyle has been a huge part of their titles, having been part of the 2011, 2012, and 2013 but missed 2019 playing in the NBL1 South.

The Bearcats men’s have had the opposite story since their golden era of the 70s and 80s famously breaking a 21-year drought in 2017 under stalwart Blake Truslove. Before that title, they had made 28 grand finals including a golden period of 1967 to 1988 where they only missed twice in 1984 and 1987. They won 12 of those Grand Finals by an average margin of 14.75 so it’s often a good night on the winning side of grand finals for the black and red. Overall, they hold a 15/28 record with an impressive 5-peat across 1978-1982. Werner Linde, Ken Richardson, Al Green, Mike McKay and Leroy Loggins were legendary final’s performers which coincided with the Bearcats joining the NBL.

They have met 5 times in the grand final before, with the first in 1974 and the most recent in 2013. Both teams had familiar names playing in Jason Cadee and Daniel Johnson, including three players and a coach who will feature on Saturday – Adam Doyle, Jake Rios, Anthony Spadavecchia and coach Andy Simons. The record is 2-2 so historically nothing much separates these two teams.         

The stats

– The Bearcats are #1 in the league for offensive markers including points (97.9), field goals (50.6), three-point percentage (35.6), Points in the paint (48.3) and Points from turnover (11.7)

– They are ranked #1 in the league for defensive markers including steals (11), opposition field goal percentage (47.4), opposition three-point shots attempted (25.4), opposition rebounds (38.4) and opposition steals (7.4)

– The Bearcats starting five naturally does most of the damage led by five players with double figures or more in points (Drmic at the top with 23 per game), six players with four rebounds or more (Olbrich the leader with 9.3) and six players with two or more assists with McCarron leading the way with 6.2

– The Eagles are top three in scoring (76.7), field goal percentage (46.8), three-point percentage (34.9), points from turnover (10.7), defensive rebounding (47.1), fast break points (#1 with 12.3),  assists (23.6), blocks (4.1), opposition three-point percentage (30.7) and opposition from turnover (7.7) – however a huge outlier is that they are last in conceding opposition points from fast break with 12.3 points given up per game.  

– Greg Mays has had an incredible season, so it’s hard to believe this could be a career-best one for him – he’s #8 in blocks (1.2), #9 in points (19.8), #21 in rebounding (6.9) but is shooting the ball at 60 percent from 252 attempts – an average of 14 per game.   

The Money Men

Greg Mays it’s hard to believe that he’s having a career-best season but put it simply he is. He’s plus two points up along with six percent in his field goal percentage. That tells you that people should no longer underrate Mays and he’s the man with the money hands at both ends of the floor in this one. There are no more “star” players to overshadow him.
 
Anthony Drmic is like a fine wine getting better with age. What we saw at the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL he’s replicated for the Bearcats – whoever has the assignment defensively will have their hands full. Although it seems the less space, you give “Drmreaper” – the more he excels in finding the result.

Read more here about Drmic’s impact in the preliminary final  

The Reliable Men 

Adam Doyle has made another grand final and has been as consistent and damaging with ball in hand as ever. Averaging more assists than most of his seasons (7.4) – he’s the most experienced in coming into a state grand final.  

Mitch McCarron – The Adelaide 36ers Captain has done exactly what he’s needed to do, at the right time and the right way. His numbers are pretty much identical to previous NBL1 seasons including 15.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists but he’s shot the ball at about five percent better than previous seasons. He’s a big-time performer too and will pull out the 20-point game if needed on Saturday, otherwise he’ll feed his team with what they need at both ends of the floor.  

The X-Factors

Malith Machar the 24-year-old can cement some NBL next-level minutes with Melbourne United with a big time performance – and it’s been building for Machar. He’s blown his average out to 21 points at 57.6 percent and 6.6 rebounds in the last three games and is probably out of the players coming into this final playing above his expected output- that’s a good sign for him.  

Lachlan Olbrich I love watching a centre play and already many will scratch their head why they didn’t go harder at the 20-year-old like the Illawarra Hawks. He’s capable of the big-time moment and something special when his team has needed it. Playing with the stars he has in the Bearcats team has shown how, when placed with the right pieces, how much of an impact he can have.   

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 11 points  

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