By BACT Media Unit – 17 July 2024

The 2024 Mitsubishi Motors Australia NBL1 East presented by National Storage regular season wrapped over the weekend with the Canberra Gunners and Canberra Nationals heading to Hornsby to face the Spiders in the final round.  Both teams secured victories, and with it a place in the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East Finals, commencing this weekend – 20-21 July 2024.

The Canberra Nationals were informed during the week that a place in the Top 8 was on the line, with the withdrawal of the Centre of Excellence (COE) from the remainder of the season, due to lack of playing numbers. Heading into the game on Sunday, the Nationals had to focus on a victory, and hope other teams competing for the final spot were defeated, to lock in a Top 8 finish.  With much celebration, news filtered through the Nationals squad after their win against Hornsby, that they had grabbed a place in the Finals for the first time in their NBL1 East history.

When discussing their good fortune, Nationals Head Coach, Kristen Veal said, “We’re excited for the opportunity to play finals basketball and look forward to throwing our best at Sutherland in the Elimination Final this weekend.” With Sutherland taking a winning record against the Nationals into the Elimination Final, thanks to a narrow 5-point loss in Round 12 at Belconnen at the end of June, Coach Veal went on to say, “While it’s been an up and down season, our best basketball has been fun, free flowing and boasting great contributions from everyone.”

You can catch all the action of the Elimination Final from Sutherland Basketball Stadium live-streamed at nbl1.com.au

Meanwhile, the Canberra Gunners secured the 2024 NBL1 East Minor Premiership with a victory over Hornsby on Sunday and earning the right to host a home Qualifying Final on Saturday – 20 July 2024.  The Gunners will take on the 4th placed COE at Tuggeranong Southern Cross Stadium at 7pm, with the winner progressing to the NBL1 East Preliminary Finals on 3 August 2024.  The local rivals have split their 2024 regular season games in early June – 1-1 – with the Gunners claiming a 99-68 victory at the AIS Training Hall, before the COE bounced back with a 85-76 win at Belconnen Basketball Stadium.

When asked what to expect against their “cross-town rivals”, Gunners Head Coach, Peter Herak, said, “The boys and coaching staff are happy that we have reached the playoffs again in 2024, to finish on top is an added bonus, but that doesn’t mean anything now and we are keen to get on court on the weekend to get a win. We are looking forward to playing against the COE again, they are the best and most talented kids in the country, and it is always an exciting to challenge ourselves against them.”

2024 Mitsubishi NBL1 East, presented by National Storage, Qualifying Final

Canberra Gunners v COE – Saturday 20 July 2024 – 7pm

Tuggeranong Southern Cross Stadium

Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE via INTIX – click the below button:

NBL1 East Qualifying Final Tickets – Sat 20 July 2024