Drmic powers Chargers in 75% FG 29-point statement

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Melbourne Tigers remain on top of the NBL1 South Men ladder but Hobart Chargers and Casey Cavaliers delivered two of the most dominant performances of Round 7.

Hobart exploded offensively at home behind Anthony Drmic and Luke Rosendale, while Casey dismantled Bendigo with pace, ball movement and defensive pressure.

The middle section of the ladder continues tightening, with multiple teams separated by only percentage entering Round 8.

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What the Round Told Us

• Hobart’s offence can overwhelm teams when its perimeter shooting clicks
• Casey’s depth and transition pressure remain difficult to contain
• Melbourne Tigers continue setting the standard offensively
• The battle for positions four through 10 remains highly compressed
• Defensive consistency is becoming the biggest separator across the conference

Game of the Round #1

Hobart Chargers 107 def. Diamond Valley Eagles 78

Anthony Drmic, Luke Rosendale and Jacob Richards combined for 79 points as Hobart Chargers responded emphatically at home with a dominant win over Diamond Valley Eagles.

Drmic finished with 29 points on 75% shooting, repeatedly attacking the paint and finishing efficiently in transition.

Rosendale added 28 points and five made threes, while Richards scored 22 points on 66.7% shooting as Hobart generated quality offence across all four quarters.

The Chargers broke the game open with a 36-point third quarter, pushing the margin beyond 20 through perimeter shooting and defensive pressure.

Xavier Clarke added 18 points on 70% shooting, including four made threes, while Hobart shot 54% overall and knocked down 11 triples.

The Eagles struggled offensively throughout the night, shooting just 36.1% from the field and 19.4% from three-point range.

Ryley Haywood led Diamond Valley with 17 points, while Emmanuel Malou and Daniel Poelsma added 14 points each.

Hobart’s defensive activity limited Diamond Valley’s offensive rhythm and forced difficult half-court possessions throughout the second half.

Game Snapshot

Quarter Scores: Hobart 20-16, 29-23, 36-20, 22-19
Largest Lead: Hobart +31
Game Context: Hobart separated decisively during a dominant third quarter offensive surge

By the Numbers

• Anthony Drmic: 29 pts on 75% shooting
• Luke Rosendale: 28 pts – 5 threes
• Jacob Richards: 22 pts – 6 reb
• Hobart: 54.1% FG – 11 made threes
• Diamond Valley: 19.4% 3PT

Game of the Round #2

Casey Cavaliers 109 def. Bendigo Braves 76

Casey Cavaliers produced one of the league’s most complete team performances of the round, overpowering Bendigo Braves from the opening quarter.

The Cavaliers exploded for 37 first-quarter points and never lost control, finishing with seven players scoring at least seven points.

Tanner Krebs led the way with 19 points and seven assists, while Jesse Ghee added 19 points, five assists and four steals.

Patrick Ryan contributed 18 points, while Yuot Ayuel Gai controlled the interior with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Casey shot 53.2% from the field, generated 19 assists and forced 20 Bendigo turnovers through consistent defensive pressure.

The Cavaliers also finished +29 across the second half as their depth and transition offence continued stretching the margin.

Billy Smythe led Bendigo with 19 points, while Jarvis Doles recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Ray Turner scored 14 points in under 12 minutes, but Bendigo struggled containing Casey’s ball movement and scoring balance for extended stretches.

Game Snapshot

Quarter Scores: Casey 37-14, 23-31, 20-18, 29-13
Largest Lead: Casey +35
Game Context: Casey controlled the game from the opening quarter through defensive pressure and offensive depth

By the Numbers

• Tanner Krebs: 19 pts – 7 ast
• Jesse Ghee: 19 pts – 5 ast – 4 stl
• Yuot Ayuel Gai: 16 pts – 8 reb – 3 blk
• Casey: 53.2% FG – 13 steals
• Bendigo: 20 turnovers

Other Results

• Dandenong Rangers defeated Northern Force 116-93
• Kilsyth Cobras defeated Keilor Thunder 99-88
• Sandringham Sabres defeated Ringwood Hawks 98-89
• Waverley Falcons defeated Frankston Blues 88-84
• Knox Raiders defeated Geelong United 103-75
• Melbourne Tigers defeated Ballarat Miners 108-82
• Mt Gambier Pioneers defeated Bendigo Braves 94-82
• Eltham Wildcats defeated Mt Gambier Pioneers 95-77
• Casey Cavaliers defeated Nunawading Spectres 103-95
• Dandenong Rangers defeated Hobart Chargers 98-94
• Diamond Valley Eagles defeated Northern Force 112-82

Men’s Ladder – After Round 7

1. Melbourne Tigers – 8-2
2. Nunawading Spectres – 8-3
3. Knox Raiders – 8-3
4. Eltham Wildcats – 8-3
5. Kilsyth Cobras – 7-3
6. Dandenong Rangers – 7-4
7. Keilor Thunder – 6-5
8. Casey Cavaliers – 6-5

Watchlist – Round 8

• Kilsyth Cobras host Melbourne Tigers in a major top-five clash
• Dandenong Rangers face Knox Raiders in a key finals-position matchup
• Eltham Wildcats host Hobart Chargers in a high-scoring matchup
• Casey Cavaliers travel to Mt Gambier chasing consecutive wins

Round 7 Questions

• Is Hobart’s offence sustainable against top-tier defensive teams?
• Can Casey climb into the top six before mid-season?
• Are Melbourne Tigers still the team to beat despite the congestion behind them?
• Which team outside the top eight is best positioned for a late run?
• Can Kilsyth continue climbing through the top-four race?