West and Sturt game is tough to call as mentioned with those different factors determining the outcome.
North has a few big offensive guns on the team that individually can explode any game. But just watching a few games it seems it often comes down to those individual efforts rather than in a flowing offence. If one or two have a bad shooting night then they could be in trouble.
Woodville women can go through scoring droughts if Fejo is forced to the bench. But she's like the energizer bunny the way she is always on the move, one of the best players in the league to watch. Erikstrup will be vital if the Warriors are able to snatch a win, been very good inside all season, not much depth behind her so will need to play big minutes and control the boards. And will need one of the supporting cast to step up, can Phillips wind back the clock and be that X factor?

Deans version of a game plan is to simply throw money in and hope for the best. Another team that relies on individual plays rather than an overall team performance. Picking up Huefner was big and should have a big influence on this game. But when do the Wildcats start their preseason, if they start early then they lose 2 of their best players. South have been decent but will need a special performance from McVeigh unless the Bearcats totally fall apart.
The Lions and Warriors should be a close one, the last game Woodville just scraping past. What happened with Baker? Both fairly young teams with gunners in both backcourts, Wurm my smokey for the Woolcott, not necessarily the best player in the league but would get votes most games without others stealing them like the stacked West and Cheatgles lineups.
Parfitt had a bit of a lean stretch at some stage but has been pretty good the last couple and might hold the key against Central's athletic bigs just with his size.
Honestly all games could go either way.

IMO women -

Sturt to win women this year - 3rd try lucky
Fville - 2 years runners up

Both teams have the motivators to win but Sturt in a very close GF

North v woodies - will be close - but neither team will progress past the following week.

"game plan is to simply throw money in and hope for the best." Is this not everyone's game plan?

Forestville trots out a list of NBL guys, and no one bats an eye
Woodville suit up 3 imports, and life is fine
Norwood always spends big - 2 imports, and let's not talk about how their season ended...
Southern, 2 imports plus recruits Pinder & Molnar from interstate... who is paying for their housing while they are over here?!
Mavs are having 3 imports
North went a twin towers of imports with Koop and Dowdell
Sturt had Rigoni, Griscti and an import! That's the same as west, right?

I am for these clubs spending money on imports/high-level talent, as it lifts the level of the competition. As long as it's not spending money that stifles the talent development of young potential players, then it's good.

I think if it were possible to get the actual amount these clubs pay for a team to be in the NBL1, I think we would all be amazed at the actual spending.

The thing that gets lost in the sauce is that with imports, you have to pay for them to have a car, a house, plus their match fee. If your club is employing imports or guys from interstate, the real question you have to ask is... are we paying these guys an import-level wage plus giving them a car and a house? If so, your club is probably spending more than a club employing local talent who live in the state.

The real point of emphasis should be how many locals/ club juniors are playing at your club in NBL1.

Regardless, Congrats to West, Woodville and Forestville for having both sides get as far as they have so far!

Agreed. Also of all posters for Phantom to make the point the week West play South, who clearly spent a lot more on their team than West did is ironic.

All clubs are pushing each other to spend more and more.

Ok O&B, what players are paid clearly more than Rasmussen, Mayen, Tryon and Huefner? Would really be interested in how much "clearly" is.

The Phantom

Huefner only played half the season and would have been paid for half the season.
Tyron being his first year I doubt is making the same as Starling or other elite imports in his first year here.

SixersFan, to that I agree. Tryon wouldn't be playing for next to nothing like Green or Dowdell, but would get an average allowance. Huefner I'm going on pay per game so would be on a high amount for a local. Rasmussen and Mayen might have gotten a home town discount and not footing the bill for accommodation (didn't West have accommodation set up through one of their sponsors for imports/interstate players). But that savings would probably go towards their contract. So an import and 3 NBL players, 2 of whom got decent minutes and the other whilst a rookie is a good big in NBL1.
With South you'd be paying the 2 imports, McVeigh and Kubank. How would they be getting paid "clearly" more than the West guys, at the very best you could argue it's even. Unless Hoppos getting more than petrol money.

Well, considering Hoppo nearly signed with Woodville this season for more $ i think South would be chucking him something, yes

my tips this weekend -

2 very close games - wouldn't be surprised to see some OT.

Sturt women by less than 5

Forestville men by less than 7

are all teams at full strength ?

The SF tonight between Forestville and Centrals will be live on Kayo Freebies.

If the Eagles don't win tonight with that loaded roster (Vasiljevic, Johnson, Starling etc) questions need to be asked.

For 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists shooting at 32% a game, whatever South are chucking at Hoppo is criminal.
Or is he one of those players that stats don't reflect his true value. Doesn't explain only playing 14 minutes if he's so important. One of the more disappointing promising junior players to come through.
He's lucky to even get a bus ticket, let alone petrol money. I highly doubt Woodville made much of an offer.

so Sturt through, as predicted - surely they will win this year - majority of this playing group will not drop a 3rd GF in 4 years.

Interesting will be Woodville v Fville - if Erin can play another 30+ minute game and other players in form - Woodville will challenge big time and I could not confidently pick a winner. Fville have a quality team that can play - will they be able to handle a confident warrior team in possibly their first womens prelim ?

Would be great for the competition - like Centrals last year but either Sturt or Fville deserving of the title.

---------------------

Men - Centrals in tip-top form and those recent wins would make them 99.9% favourites this year.

Sapwell with big numbers

In the Women, Woodville looked mighty impressive with an aggressive Phillips they are the form team to beat at the crunch end of the year. Sturt continue to have Forestville's number, Shortt one win away from finally winning one after a tough stretch the past few years.

In the Men, a huge upset and clinical display from Centrals. Sets up a very intriguing preliminary final on Saturday night... No surprise the West Woodville game, with Wurm not firing as per usual in the playoffs it was always going to be tough for the Warriors. Would think Parfitt has earned the starting job next season with some impressive performances.

Shortt is far and away the best coach in the league, he deserves that elusive championship. Even with Brazel out, Sturt still get it done.
Woodville will nearly go in as a slight favorite over Forestville who looked completely out of sorts against Sturt. I think I prefer a Woodville core group of Fejo, Phillips, Hunter, Allotey, Erikstrup and Kowcun over the Forestville group.
The Eagles unwillingness to try anything to change the game vs Sturt with subs outside of their experienced 7 players seems an annual occurrence. Shortt used the bench brillantly to get nice contributions from his 9 players.
There are already rumors that Forestville women may lose more of their Under 20 group like they did last year with the Gardiner sisters.
Let the poaching begin....

well what an absolute upset in the women.

First ever GF appearance in ABA, ABL, NBL 1 for woodville women.

Sturt clear favourites now - they will win by 10-20 points.

No way they will stuff up a third grand final in 4 years.

Fville doing it tough - runners up last year and out in straight sets this year after finishing top - hopefully a motivator to go that bit extra next season.

can not see anything other than a sturt choke again. they play only one way and the coach does not have a plan b. when it goes well its great but in big games they freeze and the oppositin can lock in. woodville playing without fear but might be missing a starter. never ever rule out th eteam tha thas had to play every week and play for there lives each time.

why will woodville be missing a starter ? injury ?
Sturt won't choke - Woodville will challenge - but it's too unknown to them to be in that spot.
Will need super steady leadership from both teams

two upsets.

Forestville's big money didn't come through in either League. The most stacked first 6 in recent memory out in straight sets in the men's. Too many passengers.

Time for Simons to move on.

LoL, Cheatgles.

Gutted. Massive upset. Come back bigger better next season. Tough long season.

Changing back from Player01 Dotman? Or Herman?
Just weird.

I've finished Watching a replay of last night's game and it was both unfortunate and satisfying to see Forestville just fall short in large part due to Lat Mayen having the game of his life. I can't imagine he will ever shoot 7/9 on 3p again.

Forestville despite the near all-star team just look too lazy & slow for the likes of Centrals and West, who both exploited it by blowing them out early and just getting out and run, run, run.

DJ's never played D in his life and is now even slower from age, the amount of bunnies he misses is staggering for a guy with such a natural size advantage. DJV plays like he does with the 36ers, can't be arsed most of the time but if he hits a couple of 3's back to back decides he's on fire and just keeps shooting. Starling despite the stat stuffing isn't a smart player and too limited offensively, that inbounds 3 he took down by 2 with 30 seconds to go sums him up.

On West I thought aside from Mayen's hot shooting night Rasmussen was good, Huefner showed enough to have me thinking the 36ers have again missed out on another promising young local guy and Tryon who looks taller than his listed 6'11" really caused DJ some issues under the basket.

A very enjoyable game to watch and very disappointing for Forestville to go out in straight sets with this roster. GF should've been the absolute minimum for this team, well played to Centrals and West.

That last 30 seconds or so summed it up for me. Dumb team and terrible coaching. DJV just chucking.

Looks like the 6ers have an overpaid local guard again. DJV eating pies in the offseason by the looks.

Liked the look of the 2 West bigs.

Don't think can give much valve to nbl1 form for playet like DzJV. Lot asked of him. Just didn't quiet fall his way with exceptional performance by west. Something that was hard to arrest. Always going to next year and foolish to underestimate Eagles resilience. Good luck to lions and bearcats you time in sun.

@Zodiac Mayen can shoot the rock and not out of the ordinary for a professional player to shoot 7/9 on mostly wide open catch and shoot looks. Puzzling game plan from Forestville to just leave West's shooters open and hope they missed. Hopefully DJV puts down the Villis pies and gets serious about getting fit before the 6ers season kicks off. Agree with you RE the late 3 by Starling, exactly why South moved him on.

Not sure Sturt can score enough to go with Woodville in the Womens GF without Brazel but time will tell.


West in the Mens and Woodville in the Womens for me this weekend.

Didn't watch the Woodville game but both shot terribly, Fejo the difference going to the line so much. If it's another ugly game can give them a chance, will depend if Sturt feels the pressure.
Centrals are streaky and young, Deano pulls another out another chequebook title after just getting through another elimination again.
Who would you rank the better pure coach, Deano or Symons? If either would be put in charge of this year's eastern per se, who would get the most out of them?

Phantman good question. Bother are checker book coaches. Andy has runs on the book but deano is the more modern deanoamite lethal force.history is always definer and in Andy is the longevility that makes him the go to guru.perhaps a new deanasty is dawning if West claim glory.

Lol people calling for Simons to be gone is laughable.

1stly his record and tenure is arguably the best in the state for NBl1 coaches, firing him would be the most rediculous decision made by a club ever.

2ndly If he were to leave they loose access to the DJ, DJV, gibbos of the world.

People assume top-level players pick teams just for the money, but that's only part of the equation. The coach they play under matters just as much.

Norwood is known for having PLENTY of cash, and Tim Odell worked for the 6ers, how come he couldnt get a single 6er to sign with the club?

Southern spent on 2 imports AND 2 guys to move interstate, they had lakey who worked for the 6ers, how come he couldnt get a single 6er to sign with the club?

Also if you were a player on the cusp of a 6ers roster like a Keanu, Gristi, ect wouldnt you want to play for the 6ers AC in this competition to boost your profile. Lakey was let go mid NBL1 season from the 6ers.

Simon's won't be sacked, but nudged might be in play. And what's his record overall despite normally having the best team that money can buy most years. But he's arrogant enough to stay, most would leave through pure embarrassment after that cockup.
And how many Sixers did actually play in nbl1 central? DJ, Lat, Rasmussen, Gristci. DJ got the money and what looked like a guaranteed championship, Rasmussen and Lat got paid very very well and Gristci stayed loyal, although he would have gotten well imbursed.
But this is coming from someone that reckons Hoppo was on big money for his 5ppg and was in a bidding war with Woodville FFS.
And you think Lake would have had a say with player signings with Adelaide. Have a Latte with Weston and convince him to sign one of his players in an average team? Maybe if Hoppo took a pay cut and went further south he could have made the NBL.
By your logic why did Lat and Rasmussen sign for a coach that has nothing to do with the Sixers. Money genius! I suppose Krslovic came here last year just because Deano might have put a good word in offseason to Vickerman.
The equation for good players signing with a team is money with a benefit of being on a good team or with a mate.
And thanks Dotman, or Herman, or Player01, or whoever you pretend to be.

It would be great for the competition if Woodville won Saturday - but there is no way Sturt will drop a 3rd GF in 4 years.

I expect Sturt to win by 20+ - even the bench will get a run.
Will be interesting who Z Walker-Roberts guards - Jas or Erin ?

Woodville will challenge - but it will require a WNBA level of game from Erin in 30+ minutes to get there.

I hope Woodville get all the old players / coaches / officials out there - as they rarely have got to this game and it should be a celebration - many years of missing out. The club really should be making an occasion of this.

It's great they have a WNBL player now too in Jas - I know they had wanted that level of player role model a few decades ago.

Sturt by 20+ after missing out their last 2 opportunities.
Woodville will be the sentimental favourites but not the depth. It's a great boost for the club's female program and I hope all their juniors get out there.

Awesome experience that the first NBL 1 finals are at the entertainment centre - will be a great event not to miss.

looks like a few of the shooters not used to the rings / stadium

Worst Sturt Sabres Women's Team I’ve ever seen in the last 30 Years!

both teams tentative seems like a stand off neither seem to be playing 100% - Woodville just a bit cooler - Sturt will come back - but is the gap too big ?

majority of this team beat Norwood a season or two ago - Sturt were down 17 with 3-4 minutest o play.

bottom to top ! has that ever happened before ?

Vera smiling from above.

Will Erin play NBL 1 nationals ?

Yes Centrals last year

Congrats Erin!! (and the rest of the team)

Legend

Another 5th placed winner. Look for the irrational rant from Phantom to come....

West just too smart and organised. Another Dean Nyberg title.

Predictably another Sturt choke.

Tuned in to the women's GF to see Erin run around for the last time. As someone not around NBL1 Central womens, if that the best two teams running around, I’d hate to see the rest of them! Shots hitting the side of the back board, air balls left and right, so many jumpers that only hit the backboard that I lost count, poor decision making etc etc it was a seriously hard watch. Even John Casey was struggling to come up with anything positive to say, that’s when you know it’s bad!

Irrational, facts are Dean bought another title. Did it with Southern and North.
Bit like Mr Burns when he was the manager of the Isotopes. When him or Andy win a title without buying it I'll give them credit.
End rant.

Phanta man you are clearly losing perspective. All clubs bring in players who are paid to play. No imports no money. So how can you say you give credit to remarkable record of Dean if all teams have like paid players. Clearly the team who wins has better cattle at there disposition otherwise someone else have better players..coming from 5th that not exactly a plan laid buy that suggests a user buyer win system.

Please name a single NBL1 roster this season that didnt pay anyone?

Norwood finished bottom and had 2 imports, we will never know if they have offered anything for Webber, Osborne, Goodall, Harrap to move clubs and play for them... but they might have offered SOMETHING finanical/benefitial besides court time.

North second to bottom 2 imports they also had Mcgee to start the season, Dyer, Machar, Johnson did these guys get paid to move clubs? Dyer fresh off college would have maybe drawns some form of paycheck.

Southern 3rd to bottom 2 imports and 3 guys from interstate! The interstate guys would have to be paid, based on 2 imports and 2 interstate players in their mens program, it could be argued Southern might have actually spent the MOST of any club.
Weekly paychecks, cars, housing, visas, flights... for 2 guys and the same just no Visa for the 3 others... thats a crazy amount of expenses to finish 9th.
Of their 19 guys listed this season only 3 are club juniors! PLUS hiring a 36ers assistant coach, surely he didnt work for free....

you dont like the results because of the person, thats on you... but dont hide behind a weak arguement.
And ontop of all of that... the sponsors want their money going towards the NBL1 program, if your club gets 50k worth of sponsorship, spend 50k on your NBL1 programs. It is what the sponsors want.

Grote 17 well constructed rebuttal. The points you present are respective of all clubs allowing for each clubs specific requirements and decisions processes and making as best needs to suit. No gain if no buy in.

Which clubs would have the most club juniors in their NBL1 team or even historically which clubs are more likely to?

By the way- Well done Bearcats on a great finals series and of course the GF

Funny how a lot of clubs advertise at the start of the season for host families for imports and interstate players isn't it.
Southern the biggest spenders? Have they paid all of their debts? They basically went bankrupt when Deano was there.
Obviously all teams have a budget to pay players, just at vastly different levels. Are you seriously saying Southern out spent Forestville? Or Eastern spent as much as West?
And I admit I don't know why Norwood have been cheap the last few years. As for North, BJ would have gotten good money, Dowdell is on bugger all, Koop was 3rd string at Southern years ago so that tells you his worth and lives here. And Machar might have gotten a couple of grand.
When you've got Herman agreeing with you it says a lot. Unless you're another alias.
Southern the biggest spenders, lol.

Yes 10 + years ago when i was involved in the comp we paid those familys for housing the imports/interstate guys. Maybe our club was generous. I couldnt imagine in todays "housing crisis"/cost of living crisis that imports or interstate people are just jumping in someones back room free of charge.

thats a cost that is worn with the import, plus visa, plus getting a car sorted. We had a 36ers play for us, his match fee was like $75 more per game than our import at the time. When you factor in the extra costs of an import they for the season were significantly cheaper. We joked that it would be cheaper to sign the entire 36ers roster than it would be to get a team of imports (if it was allowed). Maybe that was a minority sitution, maybe other clubs have had different experiences. But for us that was the reality.

So I could see a world, in which an import who needed flights covered, visa paid for, housing, a car, gym membership and their match fee could cost more than a 6ers DP who is 22 years old, who lives with their parents, has a car, doesnt need flights or a visa paid for.

Now if a team gets 2 imports and then adds in a bunch of guys from interstate lets say each player costs $100 a week in rent. 5 guys thats $500 per week. over a 18 week season + 3 weeks prior to season start + there was a week off in the middle = 22 weeks *$500 = $11,000

You could be paying $11,000 in rent not including finals (at a $100 per week) maybe the interstate guys dont need a car.. okay 2 imports probably do how

much are cars? lets say we get them a 2000 camry @ $2,000 = $4,000.

How much is a working visa cost? working holiday visa is $635 *2 = $1,270

how much are flights from USA to Australia and then flights back? I googled it was over a $1,000 but for agruments sake lets say $1,000 each way so $4,000

For an import before their match fee you are paying approx $2,200 in rent, $2,000 in a car, $635 in a visa, and $2,000 in flights
Thats $6,835 per import before match fee. Per round thats $310.68 in cost excluding match fee.
2 imports that $13,670 before match fees

So if you can get a local 36er on the same match fee as an import you actually could be saving $6,835 per season. You even could have $300 extra to pay the 36er which could be the reason why you see guys like Andy and Dean signing guys later than other clubs. they are waiting for the 6ers guys to be available to talk NBL1, not go and blow their budget on a Import that will help you finish 7th.

Grote you explain in great details and make clear cents about the costs that clubs incur. Clearly it becomes the quality of the caching and quality of the recruits and imports consistently some coaches and Dean is now clearly the guru as to how beest to get top value for money.results and rewards. It's how programs are judged.. do it better than the rest..every club love to have dean on board..the cups in the cupboard are filling the shells. Get with the programs as the boat is sailing..

Sigh, NBL players normally go back "home" to play and receive significantly more. Else they're just like an import trying to get accommodation.
And families might get $50 a week in board from a club and no fees. Just watch every year around Christmas when they advertise how good it will be to help out and what having an import will benefit them.
Have to admit I'm very impressed at the level you went to, even Player01 was impressed. But could have saved you the effort, average import will cost a club around $10k give or take. The new ones are treating it as a stepping stone or an experience. Then they normally earn money doing camps or individuals. That's been the case with the last 3 nbl1 clubs I've been involved with. Good local starter will set you back over $5k. Drmic wanted to play for kB at Norwood years ago but Southern offered him $30k, and that's from the horse's mouth.
Anyway, you say Southern had the highest spending payroll last season so you've lost any credibility. Unless you really are Dotman being a real human.
Bye, go back to your spreadsheet.
PS, still can't believe you really think Southern are the biggest spenders, hilarious.

I saw Erin Phillips played in the AFL Legends game last night in Melbourne. Is she playing in Woodville's NBL1 National Finals game today against Cockburn?

Really have to question the point of the NBL1 Finals when most clubs don't get to take their proper line-up. A good idea in theory that just doesn't work.

The NBL1 finals are meaningless if the teams can't put their full teams on the floor. NBL1 and NBL need to get this sorted out or the winners will always have that asterisk next to their names.