Sharks rely on Nicholson in season-defining stretch

• ‍Illawarra depth shines in East Got Game analysis‍
• Mandrell Worthy rewrote his career in one moment‍
• Unique signing has Albury making out like Bandits

Sutherland's 2026 NBL1 East Women's roster looks the part, but the podcast flagged a key gap – they haven’t been truly tested yet.

After a 19-point loss to Norths, the focus shifts to a brutal upcoming run against Newcastle, Canberra and Bankstown — a stretch tipped to decide whether Sutherland lands in the top four or slides into the lower half of the eight.

The talent is undeniable – Lauren Nicholson, Abi Curtin, Ella Dent, Aliza Fabbro and Maddi Norris headline a deep lineup – but the verdict is clear: results against contenders will define their ceiling.

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Hills emerging as one of the league’s most intriguing teams

The Hills men are quietly building momentum — and it starts with Ed Carr.

After dominating Big V, Carr has stepped straight into NBL1 East and delivered, including a 20-point, 10-rebound performance that underlines his impact.

Surrounded by underrated pieces – Gum Majok, Shaun Stewart, Liam Moss – Hills are no longer just competitive – they’re becoming a problem.

On the women’s side, the watch is on Sheree’s return to full minutes and the eventual comeback of Piper Anderson, with a full-strength lineup tipped to shift expectations quickly.

Friday night games gaining serious momentum

One of the strongest discussion points – and backed by listener feedback – was the push for more Friday night fixtures.

The case is simple:

• No clash with junior reps (Sunday issue)
• Better crowd availability
• Cleaner viewing window with fewer competing games

The podcast view: if double-headers stay, Friday night is the best slot – especially for metro teams.

Midweek games? Less likely.

While standalone games drive strong viewership, the reality of semi-professional players balancing work makes Tuesday or Wednesday fixtures a logistical challenge.

‍Game of the Week delivers classic

The featured breakdown – Hornsby vs Maitland women – delivered exactly what the competition promises:

• 91-90 overtime finish
• High-efficiency offence (rim + three focus)
• Late-game execution under pressure

The podcast’s verdict: 45 minutes of high-level, system-driven basketball — and a benchmark for the league.

Browse all episodes of East Got Game

Jacinta Govind

Jacinta is a former pro-baller hustling to promote women's basketball and the NBL1 East. She is the co-creator, co-host and producer of East Got Game and the creator of Front Row Hustle podcast. Jacinta is also a leading female colour commentator in NBL1 having commentated NBL1 East, NBL1 North, was selected to commentate at three of the four NBL1 National Championships and has commentated the FIBA U17 and U19 World Cups for the last 3 years.

Jacinta aims to integrate her playing experience and inquisitive nature to peel back the layers of stats, athletes, coaches and associations to provide insightful content that showcases local talent and resonates with wider audiences.

Lachy France

A devotee of both NSW basketball and women’s basketball in general, Lachy France cut his teeth reporting on Aussies in college before covering the women’s game at every level from Waratah Youth League to World Cups. Now a play-by-play commentator for Sutherland Sharks and Sydney Comets, Lachy will take any chance to remind you, “Don’t sleep on the East!”