Five champs stand in way of 'Cole's World' (again)

• How to watch the 2025 NBL1 National Championships in Canberra
• NBL1 National Finals to be played alongside the NBL1 Blitz pre-season tournament
• 2025-26 WNBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker
• Star power sets up 'electric' NBL1 Men's National Championship Series

Danish star Sarah Mortensen's Cockburn Cougars — NBL1 West Champions — will need to produce an unbeaten season to win the 2025 NBL1 National Championship in Canberra starting on Friday, 29 August 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium.

Mortensen — Cockburn’s star, a 22 and 11 double-double machine — is supported by sharpshooter Stephanie Gorman and Jewel Williams. Mortensen’s two-way dominance makes the Cougars a nightmare matchup.

The Cougars went 20-0 in the regular season but the Nationals are absolutely stacked with Australian women's basketball stars standing in their way:

• Rebecca "Bec" Cole — the WNBL and Opals guard who continues to torch NBL1 South — leading Waverley back to the Nationals with 22.5 points and 5.8 assists per game. Cole is the Falcons’ heartbeat, a proven big-game player with the ability to carry her team through Nationals alongside Carley Ernst's 14 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
• Leah Scott and Amandine Toi — Logan’s devastating one-two punch, combining for over 40 points per game, with Scott also pulling down double-digit rebounds. Add captain Mikhaela Cann’s 8.7 assists a night, and the Thunder boast one of the most complete lineups in the tournament.
• Taylor Wurtz and Kimberley Dickinson — the American guard-forward combo at Manly who averaged 22.5 and 16.7 points respectively. Wurtz adds long-range firepower (nearly 5 threes per game) while Dickinson controls the paint with 8 boards a night.
• Jasmin Fejo is Woodville’s go-to scorer, averaging 22 points, 4.5 assists and 1.5 blocks, backed by veteran Erin Phillips (status uncertain) and versatile forward Laura Erikstrup. Fejo’s all-court production gives the Warriors real upset potential.

In-depth analysis of every women's team at the 2025 NBL1 National Championships

🔴 North: Logan Thunder (2nd)

• Record: 13–1 (14 games)
• Points For (Average): 89.9
• Points Against (Average): 72.4
• Differential: +17.5

Grand Final Starters: Indigo Thompson (#0) I Mikhaela Cann (C) (#6) I (Game 1 & 2 only) Prasayus Notoa (#7) I Leah Scott (#9) I Kendell Heremaia (#14) I Amandine Toi (#23)

Analysis: Australian Gems star Prasayus Notoa has broken her foot and is out of the championship chase. The Thunder tied Southern Districts in the NBL1 North women's conference but edged out by percentage but won their entry by beating Districts in the Grand Final Series 2-1. Leah Scott is the undisputed leader, averaging 21.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game - a dominant two-way force - supported by Amandine Toi, who averaged 20.1 points per game while hitting 3.4 threes a night. Captain and playmaker Mikhaela Cann dishing out 8.7 assists per game while chipping in 14 points and nearly six boards. Notoa's versatility with 13.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists is a tough loss but Logan still has elite balance, strong scoring, disciplined defense, and only one loss all year. They match up well with anyone, especially with their pace and consistency.

Play: Waverley Falcons @ 11.30am AEST on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium (C2)

🔵 South: Knox Raiders (1st)

• Record: 17–5 (22 games)
• Points For (Average): 91.7
• Points Against (Average): 84.4
• Differential: +7.3

Grand Final Starters: Paige Burrows (#2) I Rachel Bell (#3) I Kiera Glover (C) (#5) I Alicia Froling (#9) I Paige Bradley (#22)

Analysis: Knox are built on a high-powered offense but give up more points than most champions. Knox relies heavily on the inside presence of Alicia Froling, who leads the team in both scoring (18.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg) while also anchoring the paint defensively with nearly one block per game. Paige Bradley averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 assists per game while Kristy Wallace chipped in with 10.5 points and 3.4 assists, giving Knox a strong perimeter tandem that complements Froling’s inside game. Defensively, Agnes Emma-Nnopu adds toughness and versatility, grabbing 8.4 rebounds per game while ranking among the team’s leaders in blocks and steals. Rachel Bell provides scoring punch (11.5 ppg) and consistency on the boards. With balanced guard play around Froling’s dominance in the paint, Knox enters Nationals with a mix of experience, interior strength, and perimeter playmaking but their defense isn't not suffocating.

Play: Manly Sea Eagles @ 12pm AEST on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium (C2)

🔵 East: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (1st)

• Record: 18–2 (20 games)
• Points For (Average): 83.4
• Points Against (Average): 64.3
• Differential: +19.1

Grand Final Starters: Zoey Miller (#2) I Alex Delaney (#4) I Taylor Wurtz (#7) I Kimberley Dickinson (C) (#11) I Josie Bulman (#14)

Analysis: Manly, East’s #1 seed dominated both regular season and finals, are the defensive powerhouse of Nationals, conceding only 64 points per game, the best defensive numbers of all champions. Their offense (83 ppg) is not the highest, but their stingy defense makes them extremely hard to break down. They are anchored by Taylor Wurtz, one of the most dangerous scorers in the competition. She leads the team with 22.5 points per game, adding 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks, while also hitting a blistering 4.7 threes per game. Her ability to stretch defenses from deep makes her the focal point of Manly’s attack. Backing her up is captain Kimberley Dickinson, who averaged 16.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in the regular season. Alex Delaney provides balance with 11.4 points, 3.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, while Zoey Miller leads the backcourt in playmaking at 4.5 assists per game and adds 9.3 points of her own. With Wurtz’s perimeter firepower, Dickinson’s toughness inside, and a balanced supporting cast Manly combines elite defense (only 64 ppg allowed) with offensive versatility. Their ability to lock teams down while spreading the floor makes them one of the most well-rounded threats at the Women’s Nationals.

Play: Knox Raider @ 12pm AEST on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium (C2)

🔴 West: Cockburn Cougars (1st)

• Record: 20–0 (perfect season)
• Points For (Average): 99.4
• Points Against (Average): 66.1
• Differential: +33.3

Grand Final Starters: Stephanie Gorman (#1) I Jewel Williams (C) (#8) I Ruby Porter (#10) I Sarah Mortensen (#33) I Daniel Raber (#55)

Analysis: The most dominant women’s team by far and their numbers show exactly why. The Cougars are the only undefeated (20–0) team and the Nationals. They scored nearly 100 a night while giving up just 66, a crushing +33 margin. Sarah Mortensen headlines the West champions, averaging 22.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, making her a double-double machine and one of the most impactful players across Nationals. Stephanie Gorman not only scores 17.6 points per game but also provides elite shooting from deep (4.3 threes per game) and disruptive defense (3.1 steals per game). Add Daniel Raber to the mix with 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, a rare stat line that highlights her ability to score, rebound, and facilitate , the Cougars have a formidable Big Three. With Mortensen and Raber controlling the boards, Gorman lighting it up from beyond the arc. Cockburn have an arsenal of weapons across all five spots.

Play: Woodville Warriors @ 1.30pm AEST on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium (C2)

🔴 Central: Woodville Warriors (3rd)

• Record: 13–5 (18 games)
• Points For (Average): 81.8
• Points Against (Average): 78.8
• Differential: +3.0

Grand Final Starters: Jordan Hunter (C) (#3) I Naomi Allotey (#5) I Jasmin Fejo (#15) I Laura Erikstrup (#20) I Ambah Kowcun (#21)

Analysis: Woodville are steady but not flashy. Their defense is decent (under 80 per game conceded), but their scoring is on the lower side compared to other champions. They rely on grit rather than dominance. The Warriors are led by Jasmin Fejo, their offensive spark plug, averaging 22.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Alongside her, Laura Erikstrup provides strong inside-out play with 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, giving Woodville a reliable secondary scorer and rebounder. Captain Jordan Hunter is their primary facilitator, dishing out a team-high 5.6 assists per game while also contributing nearly two steals and hitting the three at a steady rate. Naomi Allotey adds balance with 9.1 points and 7.1 rebounds Defensively, Fejo is also their leading shot-blocker (1.5 blocks per game). Woodville bring a gritty, balanced lineup that can grind out stops while still keeping pace offensively with the top-scoring teams at Nationals.

Play: Cockburn Cougars @ 1.30pm AEST on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium (C2)

🟣 Defending Champions: Waverley Falcons (5th)

• Record: 16-6 (22 games)
• Points For (Average): 79.8
• Points Against (Average): 72.6
• Differential: +7.2

Starters in their last game (Semi-final): Amelia Todhunter (C) (#1) I Rebecca Cole (#2) I Katelyn Shumate (#4) I Sophia Locandro (#8) I Carley Ernst (#11)

Analysis: Rebecca "Bec" Cole is the Falcons’ engine, leading with 22.5 ppg while also topping the team in assists (5.8 apg) and free throws (4.2 FTM). Cole, a columnist for basketball.com.au, creates as much as she scores. Carley Ernst is the team's interior force, averaging 14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 1.35 bpg while Katelyn Shumate is a reliable two-way presence, chipping in 11.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and nearly a block per game while stretching the floor. Don't underestimate the defending champions, they have a +7.2 for and against advantage and Cole has the championship pedigree to lead Waverley to back-to-back titles.

Play: Logan Thunder @ 11.30am AEST on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southern Cross Stadium (C2)

Women’s Nationals Key Takeaways

• Best Offense: Cockburn Cougars (99.4 ppg)
• Best Defense: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (64.3 ppg allowed)
• Best Differential: Cockburn Cougars (+33.3)
• North’s Dual Threat: Logan Thunder (+17.5) & Southern Districts Spartans (+14.6)
• Most Resilient: Woodville Warriors (peaked from 3rd, finals-tested)
• Defending Champions: Waverley Falcons knocked out in the NBL1 South Semi-Finals.
• Potential Vulnerability: Knox Raiders (concede 84.4 ppg) and Waverley Falcons (–2.9 differential, poor form)