Finals countdown: Players and teams to watch

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As the 2025 NBL1 regular season winds down, all five conferences are bracing for the intensity of finals basketball.

Across men’s and women’s conferences, a combination of seasoned professionals, rising stars, and cohesive team units are making their mark.

Here’s a breakdown of the top teams and players from each division as we predict who’s likely to feature in this year’s national finals in Canberra.

NBL1 South – Men

The Knox Raiders have maintained top position in the South, with the Mt Gambier Pioneers and Sandringham Sabres keeping the pressure on. Melbourne Tigers, Eltham Wildcats, and Kilsyth Cobras round out the six teams poised for postseason action. All six have demonstrated consistency and a solid mix of youth and veteran presence. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Knox Raiders
2. Mt Gambier Pioneers
3. Sandringham Sabres
4. Melbourne Tigers
5. Eltham Wildcats
6. Kilsyth Cobras.

NBL1 South – Women

Geelong United remains the benchmark of the women’s competition, with Knox Raiders and Keilor Thunder forming a formidable chasing pack. Dandenong Rangers, Waverley Falcons, and Diamond Valley Eagles hold firm in finals positions after Round 14, making for a tightly contested top six. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Geelong United
2. Knox Raiders
3. Keilor Thunder
4. Dandenong Rangers
5. Waverley Falcons
6. Diamond Valley Eagles.

NBL1 Central – Men

Forestville Eagles continue to soar at the top of the Central conference. They’re joined in the top six by Central Districts Lions, Woodville Warriors, South Adelaide Panthers, West Adelaide Bearcats, and Sturt Sabres. Expect high-scoring matchups and physical battles as these clubs head into the finals. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Forestville Eagles
2. Central Districts Lions
3. Woodville Warriors
4. South Adelaide Panthers
5. West Adelaide Bearcats
6. Sturt Sabres.

NBL1 Central – Women

Forestville Eagles headline the Central women’s competition, with the West Adelaide Bearcats and Sturt Sabres hot on their heels. North Adelaide Rockets, Woodville Warriors, and South Adelaide Panthers complete the finals frame. This field is deep with talent and unpredictability. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. ‍‍Forestville Eagles
2. West Adelaide Bearcats
3. Sturt Sabres
4. North Adelaide Rockets
5. Woodville Warriors
6. South Adelaide Panthers.

NBL1 East – Men

The Centre of Excellence leads the East conference after Round 14, followed by strong showings from the Canberra Gunners and Illawarra Hawks. Sydney Comets, Sutherland Sharks, and Bankstown Bruins round out a deep and talented top six, setting up for an explosive postseason. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Centre of Excellence
2. Canberra Gunners
3. Illawarra Hawks
4. Sydney Comets
5. Sutherland Sharks
6. Bankstown Bruins.

NBL1 East – Women

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have flown to the top of the table, ahead of Norths Bears and the surging Newcastle Falcons. Albury-Wodonga Bandits, Centre of Excellence, and Bankstown Bruins round out a competitive finals-bound group. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2. Norths Bears
3. Newcastle Falcons
4. Albury-Wodonga Bandits
5. Centre of Excellence
6. Bankstown Bruins.

NBL1 West – Men

Rockingham Flames hold top spot in the West, closely pursued by Geraldton Buccaneers and Warwick Senators. Willetton Tigers, Joondalup Wolves, and Mandurah Magic also feature in the playoff picture and have what it takes to make deep postseason runs.

Ladder Prediction:

1. Rockingham Flames
2. Geraldton Buccaneers
3. Warwick Senators
4. Willetton Tigers
5. Joondalup Wolves
6. Mandurah Magic.

NBL1 West – Women

Cockburn Cougars remain unbeaten and dominate the ladder. Warwick Senators and Perth Redbacks follow as consistent threats, while Willetton Tigers, Mandurah Magic, and Rockingham Flames make up the remainder of a stacked finals field. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Cockburn Cougars
2. Warwick Senators
3. Perth Redbacks
4. Willetton Tigers
5. Mandurah Magic
6. Rockingham Flames.

NBL1 North – Men

Sunshine Coast Phoenix are the team to beat in the North after Round 14. Brisbane Capitals and Mackay Meteors are right behind them, with Ipswich Force, Gold Coast Rollers, and South West Metro Pirates all qualifying for the finals. Expect fireworks across the board. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. Sunshine Coast Phoenix
2. Brisbane Capitals
3. Mackay Meteors
4. Ipswich Force
5. Gold Coast Rollers
6. South West Metro Pirates.

NBL1 North – Women

Logan Thunder headlines the North women’s ladder, trailed by Southern Districts Spartans and Mackay Meteorettes. Cairns Dolphins, Sunshine Coast Phoenix, and Townsville Flames also make the cut after consistent seasons. ‍

Ladder Prediction:

1. ‍‍Logan Thunder
2. Southern Districts Spartans
3. Mackay Meteorettes
4. Cairns Dolphins
5. Sunshine Coast Phoenix
6. Townsville Flames.

National Finals Outlook

From August 27 to 31 in Canberra, 10 teams will battle for national supremacy. Based on form and star power, the Knox Raiders and Geelong United lead the charge. Yet with each conference sending heavy hitters, expect an unpredictable, high-stakes finale to a thrilling 2025 season.

Key Players to watch for the finals:

NBL1 Central - Men

Sharif Black (Sturt Sabres) leads Central scoring with an average of 23.94 points per game, showcasing his ability to consistently carry offensive loads. His backcourt dominance makes him a vital player in the playoff mix. Dejan Vasiljevic, no stranger to big moments, also returns strong with 23.58 PPG, bringing NBL and international experience to the table. Alexander Starling, known for his rebounding strength, remains a Central powerhouse with 11.65 RPG — vital for second-chance opportunities and interior control. On the defensive end, Jacob Tryon tops Central in blocks (1.53 BPG), a strong rim protector during crunch time.

NBL1 Central - Women

Morgan Yaeger paced the Central conference with 24.33 points per game, steering her team toward a strong finish. McKenzie Johnston added 6.18 assists and 10.41 rebounds per game, reflecting her all-around value. Emily Saunders was a standout on the interior, recording 16 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, both conference highs. Olivia Levicki also contributed consistently on the boards and the scoreboard, while Jasmin Fejo added toughness and rim protection. Central’s finals push has been shaped by gritty two-way players who have stepped up in big moments.

NBL1 North - Men

Heading into the NBL1 North Men’s Finals, all signs point to some big performances from the league’s top stat leaders. Lamar Patterson, the league’s top scorer at 28.42 PPG, is poised to be a matchup nightmare and could carry his squad deep with his offensive firepower. Expect Kyle Adnam and Zac Triplett to stay hot as high-volume scoring threats. Dragan Stajic, who’s been orchestrating the offense with a league-leading 9.08 assists per game, will likely continue setting the tempo and creating easy looks for his teammates. Inside, Callum Dalton’s dominance on the boards (11.08 RPG) gives his team a huge edge in second-chance opportunities and paint control. Defensively, Jalen Graham’s shot-blocking presence (1.82 BPG) could be a game-changer in the playoffs, especially in close, high-pressure matchups. If these stars maintain their current form, they’ll be major difference-makers in deciding who takes home the NBL1 North title.

NBL1 North - Women

Miela Sowah has been nothing short of dominant for her squad, leading all NBL1 conferences with an incredible 37 points per game in four games. Her scoring ability has been a major driving force in their finals push. She’s been backed by standout performances from Courtney Woods, who averaged 32.75 points and 6 assists per game, and Unique Thompson, who imposed herself on both ends of the floor with 26.6 points and a league-high 16.6 rebounds per game. Whether she'll play in the finals given her Australian Opals commitments, is uncertain. Mikhaela Cann was the North’s playmaking engine, leading the conference with 9.13 assists per game. The rim protection came from Cayla George (2.6 BPG) and Shannon Ryan (2.5 BPG), rounding out a well-balanced set of contributors heading into the postseason.

NBL1 West - Men

The West conference features Elijah Pepper as its scoring phenom, posting a staggering 34.44 points per game — the highest across all conferences. His offensive efficiency and range make him one of the most dangerous threats heading into finals. Emmett Naar, averaging 8.53 assists per game, continues to be the engine for his squad with elite distribution and playmaking. Joshua Davey leads all rebounders in the West and across the league with 13.43 boards per game, asserting dominance in the paint. AJ Wilson, tied with Manhom for most blocks per game (2.22), provides a formidable defensive wall.

NBL1 West - Women

The West has seen a balanced spread of talent, but Nicolette Gilday’s 25.0 points per game helped carry the Giants offensively. Zitina Aokuso stood out across multiple categories — 24.9 PPG, 13.2 RPG, and 7.8 APG — making her one of the most versatile and impactful players in the league. Anneli Maley dominated the glass with 19.17 rebounds per game, leading all players nationally in that category, while Jessie Edwards offered reliable rim protection with 1.67 blocks per game. This group of stars powered their teams through a competitive West schedule and now look poised for deep finals run.

NBL1 East – Men

Some of the top names likely competing in East include Jaylin Galloway (24.91 PPG) and Jason Cadee (6.53 APG), both key contributors in recent NBL1 East seasons. Jaylin Galloway ranks third overall in scoring and brings strong athleticism and defensive versatility, while Cadee is a proven leader and facilitator. East may not have as many league-leading stat holders in 2025, but its teams are known for deep, balanced rosters rather than standout individuals. Biwali Bayles has had a standout season as the league’s leading scorer in the East, dropping 28.63 PPG for the Sydney Comets. His explosive offensive production makes him nearly unguardable when in rhythm. Mason Bragg, with 7.63 APG, leads the conference in assists, orchestrating offense with sharp vision and tempo control. Todd Blanchfield is a double-double threat every night, averaging 12.0 RPG (tied for top rebounder) and ranking second in scoring with 26.59 PPG — making him arguably the most complete player in the East. Lino Manhom, meanwhile, anchors the paint with 2.22 blocks per game, the top shot-blocker in the league.

NBL1 East - Women

Lauren Nicholson lead NBL1 East with 32.3 points per game in her three games back, showing her scoring prowess and setting the tone for her team’s finals run. Nicole Munger was a two-way standout, topping the conference in rebounds (14.39 RPG) while also leading in assists (6.67 APG) — an all-around presence who has driven her team's tempo and physicality. Kristina Moore and Caitlyn Jones added critical offensive firepower, while Jada Rice (2.06 BPG) anchored the paint defensively. With multiple players filling key roles on both ends, East contenders will be well-equipped for finals intensity.

NBL South – Men

As the Sandringham Sabres gear up for the NBL1 South finals, Ben Ayre has emerged as a key driving force behind their success this season. Since joining the team as a replacement for Shea Ili, Ayre has delivered consistently elite performances, averaging over 25 points and six assists per game. His ability to control the tempo, create scoring opportunities, and step up in clutch moments highlighted by a 40-point performance against Dandenong — has solidified his role as the team’s leader. With his NBL experience and composure under pressure, Ayre has brought a level of professionalism and intensity that has elevated the Sabres' finals hopes.

NBL1 South - Women

Maddi Rocci emerged as the face of NBL1 South, leading in both points (26.38 PPG) and assists (9.08 APG), showcasing her all-around game and leadership. She was instrumental in guiding Keilor Thunder’s campaign toward the finals. Isabelle Bourne and Louise Brown provided reliable scoring, while Brown also made her presence felt on the glass with 12.95 rebounds per game, leading the South. Marta Hermida added balance with scoring and playmaking, and Rebecca Pizzey’s shot-blocking presence (2.11 BPG) helped anchor the defense. With Rocci’s command of the court and strong supporting contributors, South teams bring serious title potential.