Why Mackay should be the envy of every Australian club

• NBL1 North coach Brayden Heslehurst says Mackay has built its roster "the way NBL1 is meant to be done."
• He praised Ross Jensen's development of local juniors into championship contenders.
• Heslehurst tipped Townsville to win the title but expects a fiercely contested series.

basketball.com.au editor and NBL1 North head coach Brayden Heslehurst says Mackay's women have become the blueprint for NBL1 success, praising Ross Jensen's long-term investment in local juniors ahead of the club's championship series against Townsville.

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Heslehurst believes Mackay Meteorettes have become the model every NBL1 club should aspire to, crediting years of junior development under Ross Jensen for the club's run to the 2026 NBL1 North Women's Grand Final.

Appearing on the latest Ball Don't Lie Australia podcast with Mal Crawford, Heslehurst said Mackay's success was built long before this season, describing the Meteorettes as proof that developing local talent remains the strongest path to sustained success.

"I think it's just the way that NBL1's meant to be done," Heslehurst said.

"Ross has brought all these juniors through from under-12s ... then they've added a senior core around them."

Heslehurst pointed to players including Monique Bobongie, Cheyenne Bobongie, Eden Catip and others who have progressed through Mackay's pathway before experienced additions such as River Baldwin, Chelsea Brook and Sammie Puisis provided the finishing touches.

He also dismissed suggestions northern Queensland clubs are beginning to dominate NBL1 North, arguing championship history shows clubs from both regions have shared success.

"I don't think there's a takeover or anything," Heslehurst said, noting previous grand finals have regularly featured southern clubs alongside northern contenders.

Townsville still slight favourites

Despite his admiration for Mackay's program, Heslehurst tipped Townsville Flames to lift the championship, largely because of their experience on the biggest stage.

He identified Townsville's ability to keep Ella Tofaeono out of foul trouble as a critical factor, while saying Mackay's biggest challenge would be slowing superstar Courtney Woods without allowing Townsville's supporting cast to find open looks.

"I'm going to say Townsville purely because of their championship experience," Heslehurst said.

"But I think it's going to be an awesome series."

Podcast host Mal Crawford disagreed, backing Mackay to complete its remarkable rise behind the locally developed core Jensen has spent years assembling.

Grand Final predictions

Women

• Brayden Heslehurst: Townsville Flames to win the championship, citing championship experience, although he believed Mackay would have the advantage if the series reached a deciding third game.
• Mal Crawford: Mackay Meteorettes, backing Ross Jensen's locally developed squad and its composure under pressure.

Men

• Brayden Heslehurst: Gold Coast Rollers in three games.
• Mal Crawford: Ipswich Force, believing their ability to control tempo and close games gives them every chance.

Key tactical observations

Townsville vs Mackay

• Townsville's biggest concern is Ella Tofaeono staying out of foul trouble.
• Mackay's biggest challenge is containing Courtney Woods, with Aiden Catub singled out as one of Australia's best perimeter defenders capable of making life difficult.
• River Baldwin and Chelsea Brook's interior size could become a decisive advantage for Mackay.

Gold Coast vs Ipswich

• The series will hinge on tempo.
• Gold Coast want to run in transition through Preston Bungei, Boston Mazlin, Jimmy Whitt and Brodie McGregor.
• Ipswich want to slow the game, allowing Lachlan Anderson and LP to create in the half court.
• Heslehurst said if Gold Coast can limit one of Anderson or LP, it goes a long way towards winning the title.

About Ball Don't Lie

Ball Don't Lie Australia has been covering the NBL1 North for multiple years. Host Mal Crawford is being joined weekly by current and former players, coaches, commentators, GMs to breakdown the North. With deep dives into games and team breakdowns across the league from as far south as Gold Coast, as north as Cairns and every team in between. Don’t forget predictions, side bets and of course some silly games along the way.

Mal Crawford has been hooked on basketball since being taken to his first junior comp when he was in Year 2 of primary school, by his basketball loving Mum. Mal is the play by play commentator of the Brisbane Capitals as well as the Ipswich Force. He can be heard on multiple Game of the week broadcasts on Kayo every season and has been called up to the NBL1 National finals as a commentator to boot. Mal has been covering North with Commentary and podcasting since the rebrand to the NBL1 North five seasons ago.

What to expect from Ball Don’t Lie Australia throughout the season:

• Breakdowns of the big games of the round
• Player and Coach interviews
• Predictions across the round, season
• Weekly ladder looks, whose up and whose down and why
• Fun Games such as ‘Crackem’, ‘Whose that teammate’ and others that listeners can play along with that put guests in the hot seat