Basketball NSW was thrilled to host the 2025 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East Grand Finals at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre on Saturday, the 16th of August.
It was a huge day of elite basketball, with the top Men’s and Women’s teams in the East Conference battling it out for the title of 2025 Champions.
Both grand finals were hard-fought contests, with little separating the sides for much of the games.
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles finally broke through for their long-awaited championship, delivering a dominant performance over the Centre of Excellence to claim the Women’s title.
In contrast, the Men’s decider between Canberra Gunners and Illawarra Hawks went down to the wire, with the Gunners edging out the Hawks, 91-99, in a thrilling finish. The passion from the players, matched by the energy of the crowd, made for a memorable day of basketball entertainment.
Canberra became the first team in NBL1 East history to now have won two Grand Finals.
Congratulations to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Canberra Gunners, who were crowned 2025 NBL1 East Champions! Both teams will now turn their attention to the NBL1 Nationals, taking place in Canberra from the 29th–31st of August, where they will compete against the other conference winners for the ultimate prize, the title of National Champions.
Commiserations also go to the Centre of Excellence and the Illawarra Hawks, who were worthy runners-up and showcased their quality across the season and in two entertaining grand finals.
BNSW would also like to recognise and congratulate the referees who officiated both games with professionalism and precision.
Women’s Grand Final Referee Panel
- Crew Chief: Marko Nikolic
- Umpire 1: Caitlin Grove
- Umpire 2: Zara Baldwin
- Reserve: Michelle Cosier
Men’s Grand Final Referee Panel
- Crew Chief: Jack Taylor
- Umpire 1: Nathan Paff
- Umpire 2: Bradley Mattioli
- Reserve: Marcus Hayden
We also extend our thanks to the Technical Officials, including the Statisticians and Scoretable Officials, whose contribution ensured both games were run to the highest standard.
The Kayo coverage brought the action to fans everywhere, with commentary teams adding insight and energy throughout both games. Calling the Women’s Grand Final were Lachy France and Lachie Beavis, while the Men’s Grand Final was called by Matt McQuade and Mark Schiralli.
To cap off an incredible night, Basketball NSW was proud to present the 2025 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East awards. Congratulations to this year’s MVPs and Finals MVPs: Taylor Wurtz (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) and Derek Emelifeonwu (Canberra Gunners), who both capped off phenomenal seasons with standout performances on Grand Final day.
MANLY VS COE (89-61)
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are champions of the NBL1 East at last, securing their first NBL1 East Women’s title following an end-to-end victory over Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.
After years of close calls, including a Grand Final loss in 2023 and a preliminary final exit last year, Manly stormed through 2025 closing the season with a 16-game-win-streak, finishing the season at 18–2 scoring the league’s Minor Premiership. Their playoff run was just as convincing, defeating the Albury-Wodonga Bandits and Newcastle Falcons on their way to Penrith and a date with the COE.
The Sea Eagles wasted no time stamping their authority. Josie Bulman opened the game with a triple, Alex Delaney followed with another, and an 8–0 burst set the tone. By quarter-time Manly led 26–14, and by halftime the gap had ballooned to 51–24 behind hot shooting and smothering defence. From there, the result never looked in doubt.
Taylor Wurtz, the season’s MVP runner-up, claimed Grand Final MVP with 25 points (12 of those in the first-quarter), six rebounds and four assists, including six three-pointers. Delaney added 18 points, seven boards and five assists, while Zoey Miller (17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) and captain Kim Dickinson (15 points, 7 rebounds) ensured Manly’s firepower was spread across the floor.
For the COE, it was another valuable learning experience for Australia’s next generation of talent. Olivia Olechnowicz led the way with 14 points, Isabel Smith added 13, Zara Russell chipped in 11, and rising star Sitaya Fagan contributed nine points along with six steals and two blocks.
After years of chasing the crown, the Sea Eagles finally sit atop the East once again.
ILLAWARRA VS CANBERRA (91-99)
In the Men’s, the Canberra Gunners have reclaimed their place at the top of the NBL1 East, defeating the Illawarra Hawks 99–91 in a Grand Final full of twists, momentum swings, and big-time performances. The win secures Canberra’s second championship in four years, adding to their 2022 triumph.
Both teams entered the decider with identical 15–5 records and plenty of star power. Illawarra’s Todd Blanchfield, fresh off an NBL title with the Hawks, showed why he was crowned league MVP, while Canberra leaned on the local core that has carried them deep into finals year after year.
Both teams came out of the gates swinging, with the Gunners leading by three at quarter-time and holding a narrow 49–46 edge at halftime despite Illawarra’s hot shooting from long range. The Hawks then surged in the third, Blanchfield and Kobe McDowell-White drilling triples to push them out to an eight-point lead. But a smart time out by Head Coach Pete Herak steadied the ship, followed by a huge three by Will Mayfield which swung the momentum back to Canberra.
The final term was a classic. Illawarra briefly pulled ahead again behind Blanchfield’s shot-making and McDowell-White’s playmaking, but Canberra’s veterans refused to be denied. A huge run of plays by the Big Three of Mayfield, Glenn Morison and James Toohey helped push the Gunners up five with 45 seconds left. From there, they closed out the eight-point victory.
Derek Emelifeonwu claimed Grand Final MVP honours with 28 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Morison dominated the paint with 28 points and 14 boards. Toohey (12 points, 6 rebounds) and Mayfield (9 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) rounded out the balanced performance.
For the Hawks, Blanchfield was superb with 29 points and 14 rebounds, McDowell-White produced 18 points and 10 assists, while Christian Maran and Lachlan Dent both hit key shots to keep Illawarra in the fight.
In the end, it was Canberra’s size and composure that proved the difference, with the squad now looking ahead to the National Finals in two weeks with momentum on their side.
Basketball NSW would like to thank Penrith Regional Sports Centre and its staff for putting together an amazing weekend, and to all the volunteers and fans for coming out and supporting the event.
Check out photo gallery from the day, here.
Until next year!