The race is between two players and the juggernaut of the West Adelaide Bearcats it seems for the Lorraine Eiler Medal at the Basketball SA Awards this Sunday – is this the official crowning of the comeback queen In a bolt of lightning or will a flame burn bright in their team’s return to post season action?
Or are we just waiting for which of the take your pick from the red and black will go back to back for their club in 2026?
Photo Credit – As Supplied
5-Minute Read
The SA Shotclock crew have cast their own 3-2-1 each match of the season to help with the predictions below for the award…
Previous Decade Winners
2015 Callan Taylor (Woodville Warriors)
2016 Olivia “Levicki” Thompson (Forestville)
2017 Alex Wilson (Eastern Mavericks)
2018 Chelsea Brook (Sturt Sabres)
2019 Carmen Tyson-Thomas (Eastern Mavericks)
2021 Teige Morrell (Southern Tigers)
2022 Mikayla Williams (Sturt Sabres)
2023 Mikayla Williams (Sturt Sabres)
2024 Casey Samuels (Central Districts Lions)
2025 Olivia Levicki (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Did you know???
In the Womens the club who has won the most Eiler (Halls) medals is North Adelaide with 10 followed by South Adelaide and West Adelaide with nine. Out of the 10 current clubs, everyone has posted a winner with Vikki Kelson the least recent club player to win it for South Adelaide way back in 2005.
The Favourites
Morgan Yaeger(West Adelaide Bearcats)
New team but a reuniting with 2021 coach of the year Matt Clarke has bred familiarity for the explosive guard in 2026.
We expect her to poll either a 3 or 2 in at least 12 of her matches – but the challenge will be sharing the votes amongst a very even West Adelaide side
Known vote-getter might play in her favour while also contributing with her 20.2 points, 3.9 assists and 5.1 rebounds in the crucial times where West set up their wins in quarters.
Tayla Brazel(Sturt Sabres)
After previous injury ravaged seasons the Adelaide Lightning guard well and truly became a superstar of the competition in 2026.
The thing going for her in this race is the fact in each of Sturt’s games she has been the dominant and influential figure statistically – on that we expect her to poll either a 3-2 in 12 games plus pickup a few votes in losses the Sabres had.
It would complete a journey for the young star who we also believe is eligible for the Merv Harris and could even complete the triple threat of Eiler, DPOY and U23.
Cali Clark(Norwood Flames)
What a pickup for the Norwood Flames in 2026 that has been a real needle shifter.
The centre has been one of the most dominant and potent forces on the floor and we think would have attracted many votes this season.
From Round 5 Clark will be busy polling with eight games expected with high votes – the only issue will be the strong in season form of teammates Hinton and Becki pinching votes
The Smokeys
Chloe Hodges (West Adelaide)
Statistically one of the standouts of the 2026 season – her 15 points, 4.3 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 steals have elevated her to a new level of stardom in the league.
The question again as a new player on the scene is how well a credentialed vote receiver will she be?
That may not matter as out of all the smokey’s – shes the likely one to poll enough to be right there at the end of the count.
Keira Gardiner (South Adelaide Panthers
Like the Norwood Flames – the South Adelaide Panthers have their star Young gun centre to thank for returning to finals action in season 2026.
Gardiner with her win of the Merv Harris last year is a proven vote getter and her strong start to the season where we expect polling in six of the first half of the season games.
The other Panthers have started a little more late so that might see her not quite top the four others above.
Brittany Hodges(Woodville Warriors)
Up and down season for the MVP of 2024 but again another proven vote getter always is amongst the candidates.
Keep an eye on her patch of games in the middle of the season but think probably this year others again might steal away touching the top positions.
Keep An Eye on
Alex Ciabattoni (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Just more so to see if she’d been able to be around for the full season how close she would get to taking the award.
We expect her to poll significantly since her arrival in the league and while she won’t win it – she could easily out poll everyone in the second half of the season to finish in the top ten for the Womens comfortably.
Allysin Becki (Norwood Flames)
Similar Becki will poll plenty from her arrival time in the season. Capturing plenty of near triple doubles as well as an actual one – votes a plenty will flow her way in the second half of the season which should be enough to run into the top ten also comfortably.
Coco Hodges(West Adelaide Bearcats)
Another Bearcat should poll plenty early but you feel as the season goes along her more experienced teammates will snare votes from her. However it a sign that she’s another to watch for the future when it comes to votes in the award 2027 and beyond.
Our final prediction for the Eiler medal will be announced on Episode 36 of the SA Shotclock
Who would you pick? Leave a comment or join the debate on our Instagram and Facebook pages
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL
Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.
We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a weekfrom every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.
Thanks to an idea from Downtown Allan Browne and our NBL1 Central Commentary Crew two years ago, The SA Shotclock Podcast thanks to Sweeney Accounting presents our pick of players for an all-star weekend, here’s my picks with returnees plus new faces both local and imported for 2026…
6-Minute Read
My format would be as so in the form of four games across the weekend with the North taking on the South clubs with two different selections. Each club must have at least one nomination suit up for their respective conference all-star team.
*North (Central District Lions, North Adelaide Rockets, Norwood Flames, West Adelaide Bearcats and Woodville Warriors)
*South (Southern Tigers, South Adelaide Panthers, Sturt Sabres, Eastern Mavericks and Forestville Eagles)
We’ll also include
*Rising-Stars NBL1 Central Rising-Stars (Mens and Womens born after 2004)
*NBL1 Central Three-Point Stars (Four of the best from the league, Mens and Womens: can be an all-star player)
*NBL1 Central All-Stars Skills Comp (Four of the best from the league, Mens and Womens: must not be in all-star game)
* – Denotes Multiple Year Appearances
Morgan multi-makes: It’s yet another appearance in an all-star team for Morgan Yaeger but her first time in the North conference as she tops the All-Star team for the North 2026 – Photo by CreativeLab.Mediaco
Women’s NBL1 Central North All Stars (Coached by Matthew Clarke)
With three teams in the top five currently – the North team certainly has some strong players. Three of the top Bearcats in Yaeger, Coco and Chloe Hodges are in from the undefeated juggernaut of 2026 while consistent numbers from Clark and Falatea see them grab the other starting spots this year. Hinton and Allotey are awarded for their breakout seasons and improvement with Sears and Brittany Hodges returning to selection with North Adelaide’s sole selection the consistent Jordyn Freer who makes another of our all-star teams.
Striking back Brazel: After missing a majority of the last few season – “Razzle Dazzle” has struck back as the Adelaide Lightning combo guard tops the All-Star team for the South 2026 – Photo by Snap Shot Photography
Women’s NBL1 Central South All Stars (Coached by Tim Shortt)
While the Sturt Sabres lead the selections with Eiler medal favourite Tayla Brazel and multiple selections in Simons, McKendrick, Forbes and Keira Gardiner – there are plenty of new players making their first appearance. Nicola Mathews for the first time is rewarded for consistent role step-up, improved career numbers from Bella Schaftenaar and Lou Watkinson have seen them grab their first selections with Hannah Gardiner rounding out on the basis of consistent form across the first nine games. The team has the ability to stop their opposition with some defensive menaces in Brazel, Mathews, McKendrick, Keira Gardiner, Stamatelopoulos and Forbes while put some points on the board through Simons, Schaftenaar, Watkinson and Hannah Gardiner
Manyang Mayhem: Both Manyang’s have had outstanding seasons for the Lions and head up the North All-Stars for 2026 – Photo by Melissa Belanic
Men’s NBL1 Central North All Stars (Coached by Scott Whitmore)
The change in the North conference is significant with only Nick Wurm from the Warriors making a multiple appearance. An exciting athletic high octane team is led by the Norwood Flames duo of Scott and Kurowski with the Manyang mayhem wrecking havoc on opposition. Nothing is lost from the firepower point of view with the likes of Warrior pair Uzo Dibiamaka and Awak Machar adding Jones and some second half of the first half of season form from Seymour and Bridges earning the final spots in this explosive offensive powerhouse.
Mid-Range Marvellous: He’s back Jeremy Smith returns to the league and has not missed a beat as he tops the All-Star team for the South 2026 – Photo by Snap Shot Photography
Men’s NBL1 Central South All Stars (Coached by Paul Bell)
To be honest this South team is probably the strongest all-star team in years in all facets. All five teams are in the race for the finals this year but where do you start? The combo of Smith and Forbes at the guard positions dovetailed with Rigoni then McVeigh and Mays are a potent front court combo. Then two twenty and under players in Brogan and Bruton lead the bench charge with Curtis Scott having a career season. The starters are so strong that I couldn’t get regular attendees BJ Symons and DJ into the starters but their presence off the bench would provide matchup headaches.
*Rising-Stars NBL1 Central Rising-Stars (Womens & Mens born after 2004)
North Rising-Stars Women(Coached by Matthew Hunt)
Krystal Thompson (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Sarah Warner (North Adelaide Rockets)
Caitlin Shillabeer (Norwood Flames)
Sienna Lehmann (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Abbey Jones (North Adelaide Rockets)
Keely Wiseman (Central Districts Lions)
Lara Gribben (Norwood Flames)
The future of the women’s in NBL1 Central is bright with five of these women averaging eight or more in the season plus four players with four or more rebounds per game. Plenty of firepower with Shillabeer and Warner with Thompson setting the table and Lehmann making drives to the cup. The second chance opportunities are strong here with Jones and Gribben with Wiseman hitting some late form before selection grabbing the final seventh spot.
Bright Spark: North Adelaide Rocket Sarah Warner has been a standout in 2026 improving to the rising-Star team for the North in 2026 – Photo by Snap Shot Photography
South Rising-Stars Women (Coached by Scott Rattus)
Daisy Hocking (South Adelaide Panthers)
Mia Walker-Roberts (Sturt Sabres)
Paige Padroth (Sturt Sabres)
Ruby Stockley (Eastern Mavericks)
Olivia Tredrea (Forestville Eagles)
Chelsea Portus (Sturt Sabres)
Charlotte-Southam Clark (Southern Tigers)
Another group of talented girls playing way beyond their years. With national and state selections – there’s a real hard edge with some of the tough competitors in the South squad led by Hocking, Walker-Roberts and Padroth. There are some dangerous spot shooters in Portus and Stockley with Tredrea and Clark a good contest on the glass with their North counterparts if they were to meet.
Daisy delight: The move for the star junior to the South Adelaide Panthers continues to gain momentum as she once again is selected for the rising-stars South team in 2026 – Photo by Melissa Belanic
North Rising-Stars Men(Coached by Rupert Sapwell)
Sean Stock (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Spencer Gaze (Central Districts Lions)
Jok Bulabek (North Adelaide Rockets)
Oscar Sabine (Norwood Flames)
Clayton Jewell (Central Districts Lions)
Aidan Grieger (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Miller Drewett (North Adelaide Rockets)
For a team of the future this team is quite mature in age with plenty just making the cut. Stock, Jewell and Bulabek complement Gaze and Drewett’s ability to light up the scoreboard with Grieger and Sabine two of the players to watch over the next few years already contributing in significant minutes.
Taking Stock: Amazing to think that for all the years he’s played that Sean Stock is still just under 23 years of age and earns yet another rising-Star team for the North in 2026 – Photo by Snap Shot Photography
South Rising-Stars Men (Coached by Jacob Dorricott)
Luke Pfitzner (Sturt Sabres)
Koby Moir (South Adelaide Panthers)
James Mackenzie (Forestville Eagles)
Jonty Smith (South Adelaide Panthers)
Stefan Gould (Forestville Eagles)
Jackson Bowden (Eastern Mavericks)
Lem Ajith (Southern Tigers)
On the flip side the South side is young this year but already plenty playing significant minutes. With an average of 18 minutes played per game across this squad – it’s fast and pacy with Moir and Pfitzner leading the way at the top with Eagle pair Mackenzie and Gould almost serving their apprenticeship as has Jonty Smith at the Panthers. Bowden and Ajith have shown their potential to grab starting roles for their teams in the coming years to round out the team.
Mighty Minutes: Sturt Sabres Luke Pfitzner is a prime example of several youth players in the South conference logging significant minutes as part of our rising-Star team for the South in 2026 – Photo by Snap Shot Photography
*NBL1 Central Three-Point Stars (Four of the best from the league, Mens and Womens: can be an all-star player)
Womens
*Morgan Yaeger (West Adelaide Bearcats) – 41.6 percent on 2.7-6.4 per game
*Lou Watkinson (Eastern Mavericks) – 40 percent on 3-7.5 per game
*Sarah Warner (North Adelaide Rockets) – 39.7 percent on 2.1-5.2 per game
*Sam Simons (Forestville Eagles) – 38.3 percent on 3.7-9.7 per game
Mens
*Rio Bruton (South Adelaide Panthers) – 44.8 percent on 3.2-7.2 per game
*Uzo Dibiamaka (Woodville Warriors) – 42.9 percent on 3-7 per game
*Jarrod Molnar (Southern Tigers) – 35.2 percent on 2.7-7.6 per game
*Joel Dyer (North Adelaide Rockets) – 34.7 percent on 2.8-7.9 per game
*NBL1 Central All-Stars Skills Comp (Four of the best from the league, Mens and Womens: must not be in all-star game)
Womens
*Ella Sawyer (Forestville Eagles)
*Jhazmin Joson (Southern Tigers)
*Lauren Mansfield (North Adelaide Rockets)
*Jordan Hunter (Woodville Warriors)
Mens
*Alex Starling (Forestville Eagles)
*Kalani Sapwell (Central Districts Lions)
*Cooper Osborne (Norwood Flames)
*Seb Griffin (Sturt Sabres)
Who would you pick? Leave a comment or join the debate on our Instagram and Facebook pages
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL
Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.
We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a weekfrom every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.
The magical return of Mollie Mckendrick rose the Southern Tigers to an opening round win over the Central Districts Lions in their first Safari Cup matchup of 2026 – 85-63 at the Cage.
Photo provided by @justbphotoau
3-Minute Read
The Tigers unleashed in the first term with the new one-two strike of returning Tiger Mollie McKendrick and the double double machine of Holly Forbes as the pair combined for 25 points in the opening term. The Lions new import that the Den fans will fall in love with in Grace Stone made her impression and intentions clear early with some huge triples in the first quarter – three in all however the Tigers had the first swipe 32-18 after one.
Romancing the Stone: The Lions fans got a small glimpse into the game of Grace Stone from the NBL1 West Perry Lake Hawks – Photo by Melissa Belanic
McKendrick continued to wreck havoc inside the paint and at the mid-range as she peeled off turnaround jumpshot and layup after layup contested with the home side jumping out to a game high 31 point with another returnee Rosie Williamson (Five points, nine assists & six steals) delivering the dimes and deliveries for the paint providers. The Lions continued to pepper from beyond the arc with varying degrees of success but trailed 58-30 at the main change.
It didn’t get much prettier from there as the Tigers answered each Lions attempt to reduce the margin. Stone and one sister for another recruit in Terran Wright (Eight points & five rebounds on return from NBL1 North & UBL) tried to reel it back in but Sophie Rogers (Eight points & four rebounds) triple and more Forbes free throws extended back out to 31 points and an unassailable 69-41 three quarter time lead.
Paw Paint Paired: The Southern Tigers re-added former import Holly Forbes in the off season and got their first look at the paint pair in their opening round win – photo by Melissa Belanic
The Lions came out in the fourth with split and pride in mind led by Emily & Georgia Winter with Tiahna Sears (eight points & 11 rebounds) in limited minutes refinding her feet however Williamson capped off the win with some points of her own delivering first time head coach Dan Cahill a first up win in 2026.
It all revolved around the Tigers big paint paws of Mckendrick (28 points at 63 percent & nine rebounds) and Forbes (26 points, 10 rebounds & six steals) with plenty of support from the likes of Annie Bartsch with Eight points, seven rebounds & three assists), Williamson and Filipino recruit Jaz Joson.
Stone for the Lions was the leading player of the night for the away side with an impressive debut of 19 points with six triples at 50 percent & four rebounds with Alex Howden contributing 10 points, three assists & steals.
The numbers that mattered
The Tigers through their “Paw Paint Pair” of Mckendrick and Forbes guided them to 56 percent from 2pt range and 18 of 25 from the free throw line
Tigers ball movement was on point with 20 assists
Lions lived and died by the three point line shooting nine of 42 from beyond the arc
In the first half McKendrick and Forbes combined for 40 points in the first half of the Tigers 58
85 is the highest score team score for the Southern Tigers since 101 points against the Woodville Warriors in 2024
The Three Takeaways
Bring on the “Paw Paint Pair” of McKendrick and Forbes in a return to old fashioned paint oriented hoops
Lions need an inside presence which they’ll get later into the season but need it quicker
Continuity & familiarity are the keys to accelerating a side’s development in a new season – the Tigers may have plenty of new faces from last season but plenty of these players have played together before or are connected and it shows
CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS 65 (STONE 19, HOWDEN 10, SEARS 8, T WRIGHT 7)
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL
Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.
We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a weekfrom every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 