2019 Waratah League Finals Weekend | Match Previews

Championship Men

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Norths Bears

The first place Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are ready for a strong battle from the fourth place Norths Bears. Norths defeated Manly during the regular season on both occasions (80-77, 75-66); Manly look to turn things around in the Semi Final this weekend.

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles look to the 2019 Championship Men MVP & All Star Forward Kevin White (17.33ppg) and All Star Guard Steven White (17.71ppg) to command the team to Victory. They face a Norths Bears team coached by two time NBL All-Star, Ben Knight, who looks for positive play from veteran players Michael Golding (11ppg), James Maccann (8.05ppg) and Linden Smith-Hyde (15.35ppg) to make their mark on the scoreboard. 

Both teams will rely on strong guards to control the ball and get the best shots, the winner will do this more consistently.

Central Coast Crusaders vs Maitland Mustangs

The entirety of Central Coast Crusaders fans will rally at the Breakers Indoor Sports Centre as they take on the Maitland Mustangs. Both teams finished with an impressive 16-6 Wins/Losses record, showing equal chances to win this weekend.

The Crusaders found veteran coach Chris Ohlback to be an incredible piece to their incredible lineup, including 2019 All Star Forward Mitchell Reuter (19.41ppg), athletic powerhouse Tom Akarmarmoi (8.45ppg) and talented scorer Oliver Robbilliard (10.81ppg). 

The Mustangs similarly found strength in their coach, recipient of the 2019 Championship Men Coach of the Year, Luke Boyle. Boyle will utilise Defensive Player of the Year Isaiah Ellis (15.87ppg), and veteran guard Terrel Turner (16.35ppg) to match the strong scoring of the Crusaders. 

This game is looking like one for the ages.

Championship Women

Newcastle Hunters vs Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders

The Newcastle Hunters had a successful 2019 season, finishing first place in the division. They hope to keep their six game winning streak alive against the Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders, who finished fourth place.

The Hunters are looking strong with 2019 All Star Guard Jaimee Seebohm (12.42ppg), All Star Forward Hannah Young (14.6ppg) and All Star Centre & Youth Player of the Year Lara McSpadden (16.11ppg) leading the show. 

The Spiders gave Newcastle their first loss of the season, and their team of WNBL stars Sarah Graham (12.12ppg), Shenae Greaves (14.09ppg) and Maddie O’Hehir (12.17ppg) may look to upset the Hunters once again. 

Norths Bears vs Canberra Nationals

Tying regular season records of 17-5, the Norths Bears and Canberra Nationals are looking to set themselves up for the chance of glory in the 2019 Waratah League Championship Women. 

The Norths Bears are full of tenacity and hustle in this matchup, looking for a strong outing from the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Kate Seebohm (8.48ppg). The Nationals are confident to come out on top, led by 2019 Coach of the Year Jenny Lonergan and Championship Women MVP & All Star Forward Keely Froling (25.73ppg). 

The teams split the series, winning and losing once against each other, and look to play a strong game this weekend.

Division 1 Men

Canberra Gunners Academy vs Illawarra Hawks

The Canberra Gunners Academy finished the regular season with a commanding first place, and will be looking forward to a tough battle with the Illawarra Hawks. The Gunners offer up 2019 All Star Guard Dhal Fieg (16ppg) and All Star Forward William Mayfield (25.65ppg), to take control of this game.

The Hawks boast Sean Mullan (15.37ppg), Scott Hunter (15.06ppg), Jarrod Sorenson (11.37ppg) and Jake Newham (10.75) to continue their strong scoring into this Semi Final.

The teams split the series, winning and losing once against each other, which means the outcome depends on which team can bring their best.

Tamworth Thunderbolts vs Hills Hornets

The Tamworth Thunderbolts and Hills Hornets are ready for a top of the table clash in the Division 1 Men Semi Final this weekend. 

The Thunderbolts played strong and focussed throughout the season, finding great leadership from the 2019 Division 1 Men’s Coach of the Year, John Ireland, and the Division 1 Men’s MVP & All Star Guard Quayshun Hawkins (21.16ppg).

The Hornets are looking to utilise their All Star Forward Joshua Warren (9.2ppg) and Defensive Player of the Year Marvin Fidel (13.95ppg) to play strong until the final buzzer. This is a game you can’t miss. 

Division 1 Women

Wagga Wagga Blaze vs Tamworth Thunderbolts

The Wagga Wagga Blaze are ready for a country derby against the Tamworth Thunderbolts. 

These teams finished in the top 2 of their pools and are revving to go.

The Tamworth Thunderbolts’ Samantha Mccubbin (14.9ppg) and Emily Tudman (16.3ppg) would like to extinguish the Blaze. 

Hailing from Wagga Wagga, the 2019 Division 1 Women Coach of the Year Peter O’Leary looks for his team to shine, especially Defensive Player of the Year Stephanie Male (11.67), and All Star Forward Abbey Morton (9.89ppg) to lead the chase. Both teams have proven they can be strong competitors throughout the season, and this game will be no different.

Coffs Harbour Suns vs Queanbeyan Yowies

The Coffs Harbour Suns and Queanbeyan Yowies are expecting to come out firing in this Division 1 Women Semi-Final. 

Coffs Harbour’s 2019 All Star Guard Jordon Woods (20.2ppg) and Teegan Mayer (13.4ppg) are ready for a strong battle against the Yowies. Queanbeyan’s 2019 All Star Forward Abbie Davis (9.71ppg) and All Star Centre Emma Rowcliffe (18.25ppg). 

This game should have plenty of offensive highlights, and will keep fans on the edge of their seat. 

Division 1 Youth Men

Central Coast Crusaders vs Penrith Panthers

The top of the table Central Coast Crusaders, is set to face off against the fourth place Penrith Panthers. The 2019 Division 1 Youth Men season has been an incredibly close one, with teams winning regardless of their position on the ladder; this game should follow the same pattern. 

The Crusaders will look for strong performances from Will Cranston-Lown (19.29ppg) and Daniel Titus (18.35ppg). To match up against the Crusaders’ strong scoring, the Panthers will seek strong outside shooting from Lachlan Charlton (16.82ppg) and Kaylan Bayer (12.4ppg).

Hills Hornets vs Sydney Comets

A strong 2nd vs 3rd battle will see the Hills Hornets, led by 2019 All Star Guard Liam Moss (20.95ppg), take on the Sydney Comets and their lead scorer for the season, Askam Reed Nottage (22.22ppg). 

Similar to every other Division 1 Youth Men game this season, the winning side purely depends on what team achieves more on the day. Both teams found a win at their association, Hills winning in Round 5 (96-78) and Sydney winning in Round 16 (80-73), it’s anyone’s game when they face at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium at 11:30 this Saturday. 

Division 1 Youth Women

Norths Bears vs Central Coast Crusaders

The North Bears are looking to face home court heroes, the Central Coast Crusaders, in a star studded semi final. Norths’ 2019 All Star Guard Rebekah Dallinger (21.5ppg), and top scorer Elle Carrol (21.83ppg) are looking to score at will this weekend. 

The Crusaders’ laser shooter, Lucy Chapman (18.47ppg) will be joined by teammates Jamei Pate (14.13ppg) and Abbey Cracknell (12ppg) to round out their offensive plan. This game should be a great display of scoring on both sides of the floor.

Newcastle Hunters vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

The Newcastle Hunters are looking to keep their winning streak alive against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in an encounter that shapes to be close.  

The Hunters will look to dominate with the 2019 Division 1 Youth Women MVP & All Star Centre Rachael McGinniskin (18.42ppg), All Star Forward Chyra Evans (12ppg) and All Star Guard Emily Crampton (18.32ppg). 

The Sea Eagles will utilise their versatile roster with the Henderson sisters at the helm Antonia (13.79ppg) and Felicity (11.13ppg). The 2019 Division 1 Youth Women season has shown hard work and effort wins games, and both teams have an equal opportunity to come out victorious. 

Division 2 Youth Men
Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders Green vs Camden Valley Wildfire

The Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders Green and Camden Valley Wildfire are looking to start the 2019 Waratah League Finals with a bang. Both teams have found success through strong teamwork, and will need teamwork to outplay their opponent.

After finishing outside the top six last year, the Camden Valley Wildfire locked their position into the 2019 Finals weekend after a strong 18 point victory last week in the qualifying finals. The Wildfire’s own Tomas Ramos (14ppg) and Timmy Ngo (13ppg) are looking to score at will against the team in green.

Hornsby want a strong performance from the Division 2 Youth Men Defensive Player of the Year, Raymond Tackchi (14.53ppg) and All Star Five Forward Thomas Gillis (21.33ppg). This 9am encounter looks to be full of scoring and strategy, ensure you’re there.

St George Saints vs Coffs Harbour Suns

The St George Saints are looking to win the third matchup of the season against the Coffs Harbour Suns this weekend. The Suns unlucky in losing the first two battles, in Round 3 (68-71) and in Round 14 (72-82).

Coming from Coffs Harbour, Cody Woods (15.2ppg) is looking to continue as the lead point scorer for the Suns. Woods scored over 300 points in the season, but will have a strong competitor in St George’s athletic masterpiece, Apolosa Buru Naivalurua (17.21ppg). ‘Buru’ has been throwing down from anywhere on the court and has helped his team to top the Pool B ladder with a 16-2 record. Expect a strong defensive battle from both teams.

2019 Finals

The 2019 Spalding Waratah League Finals will be held on the 17th & 18th of August at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium (Saturday & Sunday) and Niagara Park (Saturday only).

The schedule for the 2019 Spalding Waratah League Finals has been determined. For the full fixture and results visit

www.waratah.basketball.net.au

Tickets for the finals are still available and can be purchased HERE

Weekend Pass

Adult: $30.00

Child: $20.00 (15 years and under)

Family: $80.00 (2 adults and 2 children)

Daily Passes (Purchased at the Door)

Adult: $18.00

Child: $12.00 (15 years and under)

Family: $50.00 (2 adults and 2 children)