Basketball NSW was thrilled to host the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East Grand Finals at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre on Saturday, the 10th of August!
It was an exciting day packed with high-calibre basketball performances by the two top men’s and women’s teams – who battled it out bravely for the title of Champions of the 2024 NBL1 East season.
The highly anticipated women’s and men’s grand finals games remained close in score throughout, and the audiences helped provide a high-energy atmosphere.
Congratulations to the Newcastle Falcons women and the Maitland Mustangs men for taking out the East conference, and being crowned winners of the East! These two teams now switch their focus to the NBL1 Nationals this weekend at the Sunshine Coast, where they will be competing against winning teams from the other NBL1 conferences across the country, and have a chance to claim the National Champions title.
A congratulations is also in order for the runners-up in both divisions, the Sutherland Sharks women and the Canberra Gunners men, who provided great competition, making for great basketball viewing. Their great demonstration of skill and talent throughout the season did not go unnoticed.
BNSW would like to thank and congratulate the Referees that officiated both games, and did a spectacular job. The referee panel for the Women’s Grand Final consisted of Bradley Mattioli (Crew Chief), Logan Bilby (Umpire 1), Michelle Cosier (Umpire 2) and Marko Nikolic (Reserve). The panel for the Men’s Grand Final included Jack Taylor (Crew Chief), Nathan Paff (Umpire 1), Michael Beevers (Umpire 2) and Marcus Hayden (Reserve).
BNSW would also like to acknowledge and thank the other Technical Officials involved in the Grand Finals, including the Statisticians and Score Table Officials. For the Women’s game, it was Roupen Zarigan (Chair), Neil McNaught (Scorer), Sheree Smith (Timer), Tracy Childs (Shot Clock), Peter Nicholas (Coach), Saskia Towers (Caller), Sarah Plunkett (Main), Patrick Munn (Backup), Kuppili Harsha Vardhan (Spotter) and Andrew Napper (Coach). For the Men’s game, it was Heidi Wong (Chair), Rebecca Palmer (Scorer), Aram Zarigian (Timer), Greg Stevenson (Shot Clock), Michelle Nicholas (Coach), Daniel Licayan (Caller), Sean Mackie (Main), Jon Crosby (Backup), Amelia Holland (Spotter) and Danielle Schwarzer (Coach).
The live-stream of both grand final games was not deprived of any action, with a brilliant panel of commentators for each game. Commentating the Women’s Grand Final were Lachlan France and Hamish Salburg, and for the Men’s Grand Final Caleb Fogarty and David (Davey J) Lane were on the microphone. Hamish will also be traveling to the Sunshine Coast this weekend, representing the East Conference as our resident commentator for the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals – and we wish him the best of luck!
Following each Grand Final, BNSW was delighted to present the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East awards to the recipients of each respective division. It was great to have some of the award recipients in attendance, or representatives on their behalf, even though their teams were not competing in the grand finals. Both MVP’s of the 2024 season, were also decided as the Finals MPV – congratulations to Nicole Munger from the Newcastle Falcons, and William Cranston-Lown from the Maitland Mustangs on an unreal season! View a full list of all award winners HERE.
Check out a recap of each of the Grand Finals below.
WOMEN:
Nicole Munger added another accolade to her already impressive resume, securing the NBL1 East championship and being named the Grand Final MVP in 2024. This latest achievement comes on the heels of her second NBL1 East MVP trophy, capping off a remarkable season for the Newcastle Falcons. The team clinched the title with a thrilling 85-78 victory over the Sutherland Sharks, scoring the final 11 points of the game.
This grand final game was a highly anticipated showdown that has been three years in the making, with the Falcons and Sharks being forced to share the championship title in 2021 due to COVID-19.
Both teams took different paths to the Grand Final, with Newcastle finishing the regular season in fourth place, and securing their spot in the final after handing the Albury-Wodonga Bandits their first loss of the season and defeating the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the semi-finals.
Sutherland on the other hand, finished fifth in the regular season – however the return of Lauren Nicholson to their lineup gave the Sharks the momentum they needed. They ended their season strong with three consecutive teams, including victories over the Canberra Nationals and Albury-Wodonga Bandits, setting the stage for an eagerly awaited grand final.
The game began with the Sharks taking control, eager to avenge their 2022 Grand Final loss. They led 23-18 at the end of the first quarter, but Newcastle responded in the second period, outscoring Sutherland 30-22 to take a 48-45 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw the Falcons threaten to break the game open, building a 10-point lead. However, the Sharks fought back, reducing the deficit to just one point by the end of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Newcastle again stretched their lead to seven points, but Sutherland launched a comeback, beginning with a three-pointer from Vanessa Panousis.
Nicholson then scored twice, cutting the Falcons’ lead to two points, before captain Olivia White put the Sharks ahead with five minutes remaining. Panousis extended that lead to four with another three-pointer, putting the pressure on Newcastle to respond.
With just over a minute left, Nicole Munger took control of the game. She made two clutch free throws to bring Newcastle within one point, then hit the go-ahead basket with 45 seconds remaining. A crucial steal by Munger on a pass from Nicholson led to two more free throws, securing the Falcons’ victory. Newcastle closed out the game with an 11-point run, turning a four-point deficit into a seven-point triumph to claim the championship.
Munger’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. She finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, playing all but 32 seconds of the game. Her efforts earned her the Grand Final MVP award, adding to her season’s MVP trophy.
Munger had strong support from her teammates, with Isla Juffermans contributing 15 points and 14 rebounds, Aarion Nichols adding 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists, and Elissa Brett chipping in with 10 points and three rebounds. Captain Kate Kingham also played a crucial role, adding seven points to the Falcons’ tally.
Despite the loss, the Sutherland Sharks put up a valiant fight, led by Lauren Nicholson’s impressive performance. Nicholson finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while playing the entire game. Vanessa Panousis added 15 points, and Olivia White contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds.
However, it was Newcastle’s night, and Nicole Munger’s leadership and clutch play made all the difference. The Falcons’ victory not only secured the championship but also solidified Munger’s status as one of the league’s top players.
Final Score:
- Newcastle Falcons: 85 (Munger 22, Juffermans 15, Nichols 14)
- Sutherland Sharks: 78 (Nicholson 33, Panousis 15, White 12)
Game Highlights:
Grand Final MVP: Nicole Munger (Newcastle Falcons)
Championship Presentation:
MEN:
The Maitland Mustangs finally achieved their long-awaited NBL1 East championship, triumphing over the Canberra Gunners with an 86-67 victory in the Grand Final. After back-to-back heartbreaks in the previous two finals, the Mustangs used those painful experiences to fuel a commanding performance in their third consecutive Grand Final appearance.
The Mustangs entered the Grand Final with a determination born from the agony of narrow defeats in the last two seasons. In 2022, they lost to the Gunners by just a few points, followed by another close loss to the Sutherland Sharks in 2023. However, these setbacks only strengthened Maitland’s resolve. They finished the 2024 regular season in second place with a 17-3 record, entering the playoffs on a four-game winning streak.
Maitland secured their spot in the Grand Final after decisive victories over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Centre of Excellence, setting the stage for a rematch with the top-seeded Canberra Gunners. Canberra, who had reclaimed the top spot with an 18-2 regular season record, also advanced to the final after defeating the Centre of Excellence and the Sydney Comets.
Two-time MVP Will Cranston-Lown played a pivotal role in Maitland’s success. He was instrumental in helping the Mustangs build a solid lead in the second quarter, after a closely contested first quarter that ended with Maitland up by just three points. Cranston-Lown’s buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter set the tone for the Mustangs, who led 40-28 by halftime, with Cranston-Lown contributing 17 points in the first half alone.
The Mustangs continued to dominate in the third quarter, outscoring the Gunners 28-20 to extend their lead to 20 points by the end of the period. With the championship within reach, Maitland maintained their intensity, ensuring there would be no repeat of the heartbreaks from the previous two years.
Despite Canberra’s efforts to mount a comeback, Maitland’s determination and two years of built-up frustration propelled them to a 19-point victory, finally claiming their first NBL1 East championship after coming so close in 2010, 2022, and 2023.
While Cranston-Lown was the standout performer, earning the Grand Final MVP award with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists, it was a true team effort that secured the title for Maitland. Christian Little added 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Daniel Millburn contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Matthew Gray also played a crucial role with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Will Mortimore chipped in with seven points and six rebounds before heading off to college.
Although the Canberra Gunners fell short in their quest for a second NBL1 East title in three years, they have much to be proud of in their 2024 season. Will Mayfield, who earned a spot on the All-Star Five, led the Gunners with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots. 2022 Grand Final MVP Glenn Morison added 13 points, five blocks, and two assists, while James Toohey provided 12 points and seven rebounds.
Despite their disappointment, Canberra’s strong season and competitive performance in the final underscore their status as one of the top teams in the league.
Final Score:
- Maitland Mustangs: 86 (Cranston-Lown 28, Little 16, Millburn 13)
- Canberra Gunners: 67 (Mayfield 20, Morison 13, Toohey 12)
Game Highlights:
Grand Final MVP: Will Cranston-Lown (Maitland Mustangs)
Championship Presentation:
Congratulations to all teams on a huge effort, they all have much to be proud of, and a massive thank you to all who came to spectate, volunteer, work or support the teams! The atmosphere was truly one to remember. BNSW would also like to wish the Newcastle Falcons women and the Maitland Mustangs men the best of luck for the 2024 NBL1 National Finals in the Sunshine Coast, QLD from the 16th to 18th of August 2024. Cheer them on live and free on KayoSports.
To view the NBL1 East Grand Finals Program, please click HERE.
To access the photo gallery from the NBL1 East Grand Finals, please click HERE for the women’s album and HERE for the men’s album.