Walker running show for league-leading Buccaneers

• Geraldton and Cockburn lead the men's and women's minor premiership races.
• Top-four positions and finals seedings remain up for grabs.
• MVP contenders look to strengthen their claims with two rounds remaining.

The penultimate round of the NBL1 West regular season promises another pivotal weekend, with minor premierships, top-four finishes, finals positions and MVP races all still to be decided.

Geraldton Buccaneers and Cockburn Cougars sit atop the men's and women's ladders respectively, but with Rounds 17 and 18 remaining, neither competition has been settled.

NBL1 West Men

Geraldton Buccaneers (16-3) remain in control of the race for the men's minor premiership, but Rockingham Flames (16-4) are still within striking distance.

The Buccaneers face East Perth Eagles this weekend, while Rockingham hosts Willetton Tigers.

Behind them, the race for the double chance and the final playoff positions remains fierce. Joondalup (14-6), Cockburn (13-6), Willetton (12-8), Eastern Suns (12-8), Perry Lakes (10-9) and East Perth (10-10) all have significant games ahead before the postseason begins.

Lakeside (8-12) also remains mathematically alive but needs help over the final two rounds.

NBL1 West Women

Cockburn Cougars (15-2) have led the competition for much of the season but cannot relax.

The Cougars still have four games remaining across the final two rounds and need to hold off Rockingham Flames (14-4), who remain within striking distance of first place.

East Perth (14-5), Warwick (12-6) and Mandurah (11-6) are also fighting for top-four positioning and the valuable home-court advantage that comes with it.

Unlike the men's competition, the women's finals teams are largely settled, but the final two rounds will determine the path each club must take through the playoffs.

NBL1 West Men's MVP Race

With two rounds remaining, the men's MVP race has developed into a battle between the stars leading the competition's best teams, with individual brilliance and team success likely to determine the final vote.

🥇 Devondrick Walker (Geraldton Buccaneers)

Team: 16-3 (1st)

Walker has been the driving force behind the league leaders. While others boast bigger scoring numbers, he has consistently delivered on both ends of the floor for the competition's best team. If Geraldton secures the minor premiership, Walker's case strengthens considerably.

MVP scenario: Geraldton finishes first and Walker continues to lead the Buccaneers over the final two rounds.

🥈 Sharif Black (Rockingham Flames)

Team: 16-4 (2nd)

Black has been one of the league's most explosive offensive players, leading the highest-scoring team in NBL1 West. If Rockingham overtakes Geraldton for the minor premiership, Black could leapfrog Walker in the voting.

MVP scenario: Rockingham claims first place while Black maintains his elite offensive production.

🥉 Sean Conway (Joondalup Wolves)

Team: 14-6 (3rd)

Conway has quietly put together one of the most complete seasons in the league, driving Joondalup into the top three with consistent scoring, rebounding and efficiency.

MVP scenario: Joondalup closes the season strongly and secures third while Conway continues his all-round excellence.

Joshua Keyes (Geraldton Buccaneers)

Team: 16-3 (1st)

Keyes may be the best two-way player in the competition. His scoring, rebounding and defensive versatility have been vital to Geraldton's success, although sharing the spotlight with Walker may split votes.

MVP scenario: Geraldton finishes first and Keyes dominates the closing fortnight.

Isaac White (Perth Redbacks)

Team: 7-12 (11th)

Statistically, reigning NBL1 West Men's MVP White has been extraordinary again, producing some of the league's biggest offensive performances. The challenge is that MVPs almost always come from championship contenders, and Perth sits outside the playoff positions.

MVP scenario: White continues producing huge numbers, but without a dramatic Redbacks finish, team success is likely to count against him.

NBL1 West Women's MVP Race

The women's race is even tighter, with five players producing outstanding seasons for clubs in the top half of the ladder.

🥇 Makenna Marisa (Rockingham Flames)

Team: 14-4

Marisa has been almost unstoppable offensively, averaging nearly 30 points per game while helping Rockingham remain in contention for the minor premiership.

MVP scenario: Rockingham wins out, applies pressure to Cockburn and Marisa finishes as the league's leading scorer.

🥈 Sierra Moore (East Perth Eagles)

Team: 14-5

Moore has been the complete package, dominating both ends of the floor with elite scoring, rebounding and defensive impact as East Perth secured a top-three position.

MVP scenario: East Perth finishes strongly and Moore continues posting double-doubles.

🥉 Samantha Ashby (Mandurah Magic)

Team: 11-6

Ashby has carried Mandurah into the top five and now has two opportunities in Round 17 to improve both her statistics and the Magic's ladder position.

MVP scenario: Mandurah climbs into the top four, significantly strengthening Ashby's credentials.

Sara Puckett (Goldfields Giants)

Team: 9-9

Puckett has been Goldfields' standout performer, producing consistently elite numbers while leading the Giants toward the finals.

MVP scenario: Goldfields finishes strongly and Puckett continues her all-round production.

Claire Jacobs (Warwick Senators)

Team: 12-6

Jacobs has again been one of the competition's most reliable stars, combining scoring, rebounding and leadership for a team pushing for home-court advantage.

MVP scenario: Warwick secures fourth place and Jacobs finishes the season with another pair of dominant performances.

The X-factor

Interestingly, neither ladder leader has the clear MVP favourite.

• Geraldton's success has been shared between Devondrick Walker and Joshua Keyes.
• Cockburn's remarkable 15-2 season has been built on depth, with Darcee Garbin, Jessie Edwards, Cierra Walker and Jewel Williams all making significant contributions rather than one player dominating the statistics.

That leaves the MVP races finely balanced between individual brilliance and team success – a debate likely to continue until the final votes are cast after Round 18.