Game Details
Hobart Chargers 1st place (17-5) vs Mt Gambier Pioneers 2nd place (16-6)
NBL1 South Mens Grand final
8pm 3 September @ Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
Watch – available via Kayo Listen – Cluch Radio
Context
Both teams had relatively smooth finals runs, the Pioneers winning both their games comfortably in double figures against Kilsyth and Sandringham. Hobart incidentally played the same opponents through the finals but also were not heavily challenged until the final quarter of their preliminary final against Kilsyth. After Hobart held a double figure lead for most of the match, a late run by the Cobras saw them get within a basket in the final quarter, before Hobart held with clutch foul shooting to hold on.
Mt Gambier Pioneers
Qualifying Final – (2) Mt Gambier 94 def (3) Kilsyth 84
Preliminary Final- (2) Mt Gambier 88 def (4) Sandringham 62
Hobart Chargers
Qualifying Final – (1) Hobart 73 def (4) Sandringham 55
Preliminary Final- (1) Hobart 74 def (3 ) Kilsyth 69
Team stat leaders
Hobart Chargers
Harry Froling – 20.6 points per game
Harry Froling – 11.1 rebounds per game
AJ Harris – 5 assists per game
Ole Angerstein – 2 blocks per game
Mt Gambier Pioneers
Michael Harris – 24.6 points per game
Nick Marshall – 8.1 rebounds per game
Kane de Wit – 4.9 assists per game
Clevon Brown – 2 blocks per game
Last time they met
The teams have met just once this season early in the season, with Hobart handing Mt Gambier their first home loss of the season in round nine.
Round 9, 25 June 2022 – Hobart Chargers 92 defeated Mt Gambier Pioneers @ The Ice House, Mt Gambier
Hobart pulled off an upset victory over the #1 ranked Pioneers on their home floor, where they previously were undefeated in their opening 5 games.
The win came courtesy of blistering 32-17 opening quarter by Hobart, and they dominated the rebounds 53-30, including 19 offensive. Hobart was led by Harry Froling, who had one of his best games for the season with 43 point and 16 rebounds. This included Froling shooting 14/21 from the field with an impressive 7/11 from outside.
For the home team, Michael Harris led the Pioneers with 32 points and 7 rebounds. In which he went 6/9 from three.
Keys to the game
As seen in their earlier matchup this season, the size of the Chargers really made life difficult for the Pioneers. The trio of Hobart bigs Angerstein, Bairstow and Froling combined for 35 rebounds, outrebounding the whole Pioneers squad.
So expect the Chargers to look for the size advantage where possible, as well as crashing the boards against the smaller opponents at all opportunities. Since the last meeting Hobart have also added depth to their squad with Sam McDaniel and Jameer Sandifer.
Not to be outdone, the Pioneers are one of the highest scoring teams in the NBL1, They currently average 93.9 points per game (well ahead of the Chargers 86.7). They are led by the dynamic scoring duo of Michael Harris (24.6ppg) and Nick Marshall (21.7ppg) who both are in the 5 scorers for NBL1 South. Harris has had seven 30+ point games this season, so expect them to look to him early to get going.
Overall this is a game between two powerhouse clubs from the previous South East Australia Basketball League. Each team currently holds 4 SEABL championships, Hobart last winning in 2018 and the Pioneers in 2017.
As much as neutral venue in Melbourne doesn’t sit will with many. The history of success between both clubs have built over the years make this a great grand final match up.
