NBL1 East Grand Final: Every team’s full squad analysis ahead of season conclusion at Sydney Uni
The NBL1 East comes to a thrilling conclusion this weekend. We take a deep dive into all four men’s and women’s rosters, profiling every player ahead of the grand finals.
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The four best teams across the NBL1 East competition will do battle at Sydney University on Saturday for the right to be crowned men’s and women’s champions.
We take a deep dive into all squads and why each team can get it done on the big stage.
WOMEN (MANLY VS NORTHS, 2PM)
Manly-Warringah (1st, 20-2) and Norths (3rd, 18-4) have been two of the most consistent teams this season.
With well-rounded rosters and the ability for anyone to get hot on a given night, it’s given other teams scouting nightmares throughout the finals so far.
Norths mentor Renae Garlepp said
“I’m definitely grateful to coach such a selfless team,” Garlepp said.
“Their work ethic and competitiveness, wanting to push themselves and wanting to get better. The younger kids on our team look after our older players. They come to training and work as hard as they can.
“We’ve been scouting Manly hard to get ready, and both teams have five players averaging double figure points. You can’t throw all your eggs in one basket (on one player).”
It’s a sentiment shared by Manly coach Nathan Kirwan, who praised his team’s ability to aim up night after night.
“We’re a deep team and we put in team performances. That’s out strength,” Kirwan said.
“We don’t rely on one or two players, we don’t have any imports or current WNBL players.
“We’re pretty similar to Norths in that they’re experienced and deep, and local rivals as well. We’re two similar and smart teams.”
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Zoey Miller: A great scoring guard who is active defensively, gets in the lane and can shoot. Came back from injury off the bench but has brought in. A young guard but is among the best in her position in the league.
Bree Delaney: Has played at a high level in the juniors, winning nationals. Someone that has stepped up massively over the past two months, can create something out of nothing and can talk a bit of trash too.
Kimberley Hodge: Has some WNBL experience but is still so young. Not a traditional big but plays like one. Has an advantage every game with her athleticism due to how active she is. An efficient player at this level for a long time.
Felicity Henderson: The tallest player on the team but starts at the point. Played state through the juniors and is heading off to college soon. Controls the game, is versatile, defends strongly and her shooting has grown.
Antonia Henderson: Described as one of the best defenders Kirwan has seen. A strong player with a good core, she often guards the best player on the opposition. Is explosive offensively and knows how to get to the rim.
Alex Delaney: The most experienced player but still young. Had a good junior and college career and won a WNBL title with Canberra. Brings basketball IQ, skill, rebounding and willing to sacrifice points for the best team options with her exceptional passing.
Josie Bulman: Not super tall for a big but is versatile and can switch on to guard anyone. A smart offensive player who creates a lot and will often try to find her open teammates.
Gracie Lee: Came back from college for her senior year. An undersized big who is super strong and intelligent. Fits right into the system and is capable of playing big minutes if needed.
Chloe Dix: Only in Year 11 at school and has played well at U18s and Youth League level. Will go to play college ball and has a basketball brain above her years. Shown promise in limited minutes.
Maja Jurlina: One of the ultimate teammates who is capable of playing more minutes than she gets. A smart player who battles defensively and performs whatever role is needed of her.
Sari Mowbray: Has played in some big spots and one of the better Youth League players. A goo shooter who has improved defensively. Accepting of her role and a capable player of the future.
Annobel Starr: More of a traditional big who finishes around the rim. Will be used in key match ups. In and out with illness this year but is an encouraging and positive teammate.
NORTHS BEARS
Jolene Anderson: Brings a wealth of pro experience in Europe and has had a lot of success for 15+ years. Shares so much of her knowledge with the team and has a steady head on her shoulders.
Emily Simons: Has enjoyed a great year, works incredibly hard on both ends and puts in a lot of her own work. That shows with how she has developed her shot and how it’s all coming together.
Kate Seebohm: The cornerstone of the team that holds everything together defensively. She gets everyone organised on defence and plays the point guard role to perfection.
Jessica Bygate: It’s a luxury to have her on the team. Sets great screens, is strong and a great role player who doesn’t try to do to much, and makes her teammates better.
Madeleine O’Hehir: After not playing at all last year with a back injury has done such a great job to get herself back to this point. Gives Norths a lot on both ends.
Carla Pitman: Keeps getting better and better. Improving the little parts of her game and is another that gets it done on both ends of the floor. An exciting talent.
Holly Wills: Missed the majority of the season with a back injury but has worked hard on her rehab to get back on the floor. A strong defender and very capable shooter.
Lauryn Walker: A Norths junior who has been at the club for a while. A reliable player who can score, defend and organise as well.
Caitlyn Martin: Has been the most improved player on the roster. Worked incredibly hard on her shot and on defence also.
Peggy Schell: Another junior who has had a great Youth League season. An important part of the team who will continue to get better as the years go on.
Sarah Schicher: Been at Norths for a long time and a big part of the club. A reliable player every week who has length and is a great target offensively. Can always find an open player.
Emma Donnelly: One of the younger players who has an incredible work ethic, a great shooter and someone who can come in and make an impact.
MEN (SUTHERLAND VS MAITLAND, 5PM)
Both teams finished in the bottom half of the eight, with Sutherland (5th, 14-8) and Maitland (7th, 14-8) ending the regular season on equal wins.
“A lot of the boys are pretty nervous. They want to get to the game and get going,” Williamson said.
“During the week the nerves build up. Instead of sitting at home they’d rather be playing.
“We’re quietly confident and believe in our ability to get it done.
“Our commitment to the defensive end from the jump (has been important in the finals). It was a bit up and down during the season, but since the finals began we’ve started the game with a toughness and grit, and been energetic from the start.”
The Mustangs put together an impressive run into the finals, and Maitland coach Luke Boyle said the town was buzzing as they look to go one better than last year.
“We made the grand final last year and it took us a bit of time to get it together,” Boyle said.
“We brought in some young fellas and once we got it going, we had some momentum. We found our feet in the quarters and semis, and are back to where we expected to be.
“There’s a good buzz. It will be a packed house on Saturday and there’s plenty of people making the trip down.”
SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Adrian Cabrera: A great defender and a strong, physical guy. Likes to play inside the key and is a bit of a tone-setter. Guards the better players and does so with force.
Lochlan Hutchison: A point guard who gets everyone involved. A great on-ball defender, who is vocal and energetic, and is hoping to go out and get it done for his junior club.
Marquel Beasley: An absolute athlete. Not the tallest four man but is definitely the most athletic. When he is energetic and his effort is high, he impacts the game in a big way.
Jordan Mitchell: Is a great defender and great transition ball player. Has been strong for Sutherland all season and also is strong on the boards.
Geoffrey Gerlach: The captain of the side and for good reason. A good playmaker for a big, great around the rim and impacts the game in a variety of ways.
Aaron Waban: New to the club from Bankstown as a back-up guard. Can shoot the ball and is an outstanding teammate. Brought into the culture and only cares about winning.
Angus Lake: Another Bruins recruit who is only 20 and one of the younger players in the side. Has sneaky size and has performed well at this level.
Brendan Winstanley: A club junior who is a great shooter of the basketball. Doesn’t matter how many minutes he gets, does what he can and is a great role player.
Nicolas Feng: The smallest five man in the league but will go out and guard anyone. Will do a job, plays hard and is tough as nails.
Callum Norris: A great shooter who is one of the most talkative guys in the league. A smart player who makes good reads on the play.
Emmanuel Edwards: Described as a great club guy. Played in the Youth League and is a talent coming through. Athletic, a good cutter and developing strongly.
Deng Gak: Came into the season at the halfway point and gives them experience playing high quality games. Can block and alter shots, has great hands and a strong pick and roll defender.
MAITLAND MUSTANGS
Kevin Warren: His first year at the club as an import, has won a conference title before and is a quick, athletic player who can play at both ends of the court.
Luka Vea: An 18-year-old who came over from New Zealand and was expected to fill a bench role but has shown enough to earn a starting role. A great defender and good cutter.
James Hunter: Has some NBL experience with the Phoenix and the Breakers. Played with Maitland last year and brings a lot of experience at a division one college. A great team guy.
William Cranston-Lown: Earned his place in the MVP votes. Asked for more responsibility last year and has paid the club back big time. Quick, crafty with the ball and good in defence.
Matthew Gray: Can go inside or outside and can really light it up when he gets hot. Has experience playing the three, four and five, a tough cover and came up huge against the Bulls.
Billy Parsons: The son of Newcastle Knights great Matt, a bit of a warrior who plays wherever needed. A tough cookie who can bang downstairs and hit the three.
Jack Edwards: Has also represented Australia in touch footy and named as NSW’s best for the code. Really athletic, quick and so dangerous when they push the pace.
Daniel Millburn: Has been with Maitland for years and is a strong guard who can cause problems on the outside. Defensively has come up strong and gets under the opposition skin.
Jay Cole: A Youth League talent who has stepped up this year. Has had injury troubles but is healthy now, and an athletic player who can play above the rim.
Josh Clifford: The captain who has been around for a long time. Came up big last week and knows what it takes to win the big games. Can hit anything from 12-15 feet.
Will Mortimore: A Maitland junior who is a very good defender in the post. Is pretty crafty in attack and makes the trip up from Sydney where he studies.
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