Waverley W vs Mackay Meteorettes W

Waverley took control in the first half and never let go. Playing without established stars Bec Cole, Carley Ernst and Amelia Todhunter — all absent for the National Finals — the Falcons relied on a deep rotation and a "next player up" mentality.

Head coach Elias Palioyiannis had flagged the team's approach before the tournament: "It has been a next player up mentality. We are very fortunate to have great depth. There is no doubt it has been tested, especially in the NBL1 South Finals, but it is the main reason why we are still playing" (NBL1.com.au).

The Falcons built a double-digit lead by half-time and maintained it through the second half, answering every Mackay run. Mackay, who won the NBL1 North championship this month, struggled to contain Waverley's balanced attack without several key contributors of their own.

Waverley's second-quarter surge established the decisive margin. After a competitive opening quarter, the Falcons stretched their lead into double figures before the break. Mackay never got closer than single digits in the second half, as Waverley controlled the tempo and responded to each challenge.

With the star trio of Cole, Ernst and Todhunter unavailable, the Falcons received contributions across the board. Multiple players stepped into expanded roles, reflecting the squad depth that carried Waverley through the NBL1 South Finals and into their third consecutive National Finals appearance.

Palioyiannis praised the group's adaptability: "We have had different players step up during the run and we will need everyone at their best this weekend" (NBL1.com.au).

Waverley had advanced to the National Finals after falling to the Knox Raiders 80–54 in the NBL1 South Grand Final on 15 August — a result that Palioyiannis said the team was determined to respond to.

Player of the Match: The collective Waverley rotation, which filled the scoring void left by absent stars with balanced contributions across the board.

This was a seeding game on Day 1 of the 2026 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals — the first time Adelaide has hosted the event (WNBL.com.au). The six-team women's field features five conference champions plus the reigning national champions:

Waverley qualified as the NBL1 South runners-up, securing the additional South position after advancing to the South Grand Final. The Falcons improve their seeding position ahead of Day 2 (Saturday 22 August) semi-finals.

Mackay, as the #4 seed, will also contest the semi-finals but now has less margin for error after dropping the opening game.

Both teams return to action on Saturday 22 August at the State Basketball Centre, with the women's championship final scheduled for Sunday 23 August. All games are streamed live and free via Kayo Freebies (WNBL.com.au).

A professional, workmanlike win from Waverley, who showed that their system and depth can compensate for missing star power. The Falcons controlled the game from the second quarter onward and never let Mackay build momentum. For the Meteorettes, the seeding loss leaves them needing to win out through the semi-finals to reach Sunday's title game.