NBL1 South Grand Final Picture Set as Eltham Wildcats and Frankston Blues Survive Thrillers

The NBL1 South regular season has culminated in a spectacular final pairing. Following a weekend of preliminary final heart-stoppers, the Eltham Wildcats and Frankston Blues have emerged from the pack to contest the 2026 Men's Grand Final this Saturday at the State Basketball Centre. The playoff race reached a boiling point as the top four seeds clashed in a highly anticipated semi-final round, but it was the second-seeded Wildcats and the fourth-seeded Blues who survived the gauntlet to keep their championship dreams alive. Both squads showcased tremendous resilience to navigate past formidable opponents, setting the stage for a blockbuster Victorian showdown.[1][3]

The Eltham Wildcats secured their spot in an absolute overtime classic against the Nunawading Spectres, surviving with a 91-89 victory. After trailing early in a packed and vocal Montmorency Secondary College, Eltham rode a monstrous performance from Zak Cunningham to force extra time. Cunningham finished the night with 28 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the Wildcats' offense when they needed it most. TJ Weeks provided crucial support with 21 points, helping Eltham overcome the absence of injured star Leonardo Colimerio in a grueling, physical contest that tested both teams' endurance.[1]

In the dying seconds of overtime, the Wildcats' veteran composure proved to be the ultimate difference-maker. Mitch McCarron forced a crucial steal on Nunawading's big man and converted a fast-break layup to give Eltham a four-point buffer with just over a minute to play. The Spectres refused to yield, clawing back to within two points and setting up a dramatic final possession. Nunawading's Owen Lobsinger found a clean look at a game-winning three-pointer from the corner just before the buzzer, but the shot rimmed out, sending the relieved Wildcats to their second Grand Final appearance in three years.[1]

On the other side of the playoff bracket, the Frankston Blues pulled off a stunning 82-79 upset over the top-seeded Melbourne Tigers. The Tigers entered the matchup as the heavy favorites, boasting a star-studded roster that included Melbourne United development player Tom Wilson. Wilson delivered a heroic effort, pouring in 25 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists, but the Blues' collective defensive intensity ultimately wore the Tigers down. Frankston maintained their composure through a tense fourth quarter, executing critical stops in the final minute to eliminate the minor premiers and secure their Grand Final berth.[2][3][4]

Frankston's success is widely viewed as a triumph for their local development pathway. Head coach Andrew Harms, a Frankston junior himself who has led the Blues since the NBL1's inception, has built a sustainable model focused on homegrown talent. The roster features players like Tom Garrett, Blake Jackson, and Kynan Philippe, all of whom rose through the Blues' Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) ranks to reach the senior stage. By prioritizing internal development over high-profile external recruitment, Frankston has cultivated a deep sense of club identity that translates into unshakeable chemistry on the court.

Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey praised the final four teams for embodying the league's original vision of strong local associations driving elite basketball within their communities. Honey noted that the top teams have successfully blended high-level talent with coaches and players developed directly through their own grassroots pathways. This structural philosophy ensures that young athletes can genuinely aspire to wear their local club's jersey at the NBL1 level, creating a sustainable ecosystem that elevates the standard of semi-professional basketball across the entire state of Victoria.

The Grand Final double-header tips off on August 15, promising a festival atmosphere at the State Basketball Centre. The Women's Championship will commence at 4:00 PM, followed by the highly anticipated Men's Championship between Eltham and Frankston at 7:30 PM. The venue is expected to be packed to capacity, with fans securing general admission tickets and premium courtside "Hollywood" seating. Corporate boxes have also been in high demand as the local basketball community rallies to witness the crowning of the 2026 champions in a state-of-the-art facility.

Beyond the prestige of conference glory, the stakes for Saturday's victors are massive. The winners of the NBL1 South Grand Final will instantly pack their bags for South Australia to compete in the NBL1 National Finals, held in Adelaide from August 21-23. There, they will face off against the champions from the North, East, West, and Central conferences to determine the undisputed national champions. For Eltham and Frankston, Saturday's clash is not just about a Victorian title—it is the final hurdle before stepping onto the national stage.