Illawarra roster call sparks NBL1 East controversy

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

NBL1 East Round 3 gave East Got Game its most loaded episode yet — coaching movement, roster controversy, record-breaking shooting, and a genuine question around how the league is telling its own story.

What we’re talking about this week – Albury reset after Matt K steps down

Albury Wodonga hit the reset button mid-season. This isn’t just a coaching change – it’s identity, rotations, and direction all shifting at once. The next two weeks will tell you everything about that group.

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Illawarra’s roster – how is this legal?

The biggest talking point of the episode.

Illawarra now potentially sits with:

• Two non-Asia Pacific imports (Kone + Mims)
• Two high-minute NBL players (Blanchfield + Peatling-type classification)
• No clear junior offset

We break down:

• The 25% NBL minutes threshold
• Import classification loopholes
• Whether this is smart list management or rule-stretching

Bottom line: Either they’ve nailed the system — or the system needs clarity.

Shyla Heal stays – Bankstown stay dangerous

Shyla Heal re-signing isn’t just a roster move — it keeps Bankstown relevant.

Without her: middle of the pack. With her: legitimate contender

Norths women go nuclear from three

Record-breaking night from deep — and it wasn’t random.

This is system + confidence:

• Shot profile shift
• Multiple contributors
• Modern offensive structure

The question: sustainable trend or one-off explosion?

Browse all episodes of East Got Game

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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!”