NBL Grand Final

The NBL Grand Final is the annual championship series of the National Basketball League (NBL). The entrants are determined by the victors of the two Semi Finals series, who engage in a best of five game series to determine the league champion. The winners of the Grand Final series are awarded the Dr John Raschke Trophy.

Prior to 1986, the NBL Grand Final was decided by a single game. From 2004 until 2009, the series was expanded to a best of five games. The first NBL Grand Final was played on 10 June 1979 at the Albert Park Basketball Stadium in Melbourne. The St. Kilda Saints defeated the Canberra Cannons 94 93 to become the inaugural NBL Champions. The Perth Wildcats hold the record for most Grand Final appearances with 15 between 1987 and 2019/20. They have also won a record 10 NBL Championships. The Wildcats have not missed the NBL Finals since 1987, a record of 35 consecutive years. No Grand Final MVP was awarded between 1981 and 1985. The NBL Grand Final Most Valuable Player Award winner receives the Larry Sengstock Medal, which is named in honour of Larry Sengstock, the winner of the league's first Grand Final MVP award in 1986. Rocky Smith (1980), Leroy Loggins (1987), Scott Fisher (1989), Chris Williams (2002/03), Chris Anstey (2005/06) and Cedric Jackson (2012/13) all won the Grand Final MVP and the regular season MVP awards in the same season.

Year Date Champions Score Runners up MVP Arena197910 June 1979St. Kilda Saints94–93Canberra CannonsLarry SengstockAlbert Park Basketball Stadium198015 June 1980St. Kilda Saints113–88West Adelaide BearcatsRocky SmithDowling Street Stadium198128 June 1981Launceston Casino City75–54Nunawading SpectresN/AApollo Stadium198218 July 1982West Adelaide Bearcats80–74Geelong CatsN/ANewcastle Sports Entertainment Centre19834 July 1983Canberra Cannons75–73West Adelaide BearcatsN/AKilsyth Stadium19841 July 1984Canberra Cannons84–82Brisbane BulletsN/AThe Glass House19857 September 1985Brisbane Bullets121–95Adelaide 36ersN/ASleeman Sports Centre198611 October 1986Adelaide 36ers122–119 (OT)Brisbane BulletsMark DavisBrisbane Entertainment Centre17 October 1986Brisbane Bullets104–83Adelaide 36ersApollo Stadium19 October 1986Adelaide 36ers113–91Brisbane BulletsApollo Stadium198710 October 1987Brisbane Bullets80–79Perth WildcatsLeroy LogginsChallenge Stadium16 October 1987Brisbane Bullets106–87Perth WildcatsBrisbane Entertainment Centre198830 July 1988Canberra Cannons120–95North Melbourne GiantsPhil SmythAIS Arena5 August 1988North Melbourne Giants117–101Canberra CannonsThe Glass House7 August 1988Canberra Cannons108–101North Melbourne GiantsThe Glass House198914 October 1989North Melbourne Giants111–105Canberra CannonsScott FisherAIS Arena20 October 1989North Melbourne Giants111–97Canberra CannonsThe Glass House199019 October 1990Perth Wildcats112–106Brisbane BulletsRicky GracePerth Entertainment Centre26 October 1990Brisbane Bullets106–90Perth WildcatsBrisbane Entertainment Centre28 October 1990Perth Wildcats109–86Brisbane BulletsBrisbane Entertainment Centre199119 October 1991Perth Wildcats109–83Eastside SpectresPete HansenThe Glass House25 October 1991Eastside Spectres86–81Perth WildcatsPerth Entertainment Centre27 October 1991Perth Wildcats90–80Eastside SpectresPerth Entertainment Centre199224 October 1992Melbourne Tigers116–98South East Melbourne MagicBruce BoldenMelbourne Park30 October 1992South East Melbourne Magic115–93Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park1 November 1992South East Melbourne Magic95–88Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park199323 October 1993Melbourne Tigers117–113Perth WildcatsRicky GraceMelbourne Park29 October 1993Perth Wildcats112–105Melbourne TigersPerth Entertainment Centre31 October 1993Melbourne Tigers104–102Perth WildcatsPerth Entertainment Centre199422 October 1994North Melbourne Giants95–93 (OT)Adelaide 36ersPaul ReesClipsal Powerhouse28 October 1994North Melbourne Giants117–97Adelaide 36ersThe Glass House19957 October 1995North Melbourne Giants104–97Perth WildcatsAndrew VlahovPerth Entertainment Centre13 October 1995Perth Wildcats97–88North Melbourne GiantsThe Glass House15 October 1995 Perth Wildcats108–88North Melbourne GiantsPerth Entertainment Centre199625 October 1996Melbourne Tigers100–89South East Melbourne MagicMike KellyMelbourne Park1 November 1996South East Melbourne Magic88–84Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park3 November 1996 South East Melbourne Magic107–70Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park199725 October 1997Melbourne Tigers111–74South East Melbourne MagicLanard CopelandMelbourne Park29 October 1997South East Melbourne Magic84–78Melbourne TigersMelbourne Park1 November 1997 Melbourne Tigers93–83South East Melbourne MagicMelbourne Park199828 June 1998Adelaide 36ers100–93South East Melbourne MagicKevin BrooksClipsal Powerhouse1 July 1998Adelaide 36ers90–62South East Melbourne MagicMelbourne Park199916 April 1999Adelaide 36ers104–94Victoria TitansBrett MaherMelbourne Park21 April 1999Victoria Titans88–82Adelaide 36ersClipsal Powerhouse23 April 1999Adelaide 36ers80–63Victoria TitansClipsal Powerhouse20007 April 2000Perth Wildcats84–78Victoria TitansMarcus TimmonsMelbourne Park12 April 2000Perth Wildcats83–76Victoria TitansPerth Entertainment Centre200122 April 2001Wollongong Hawks104–101Townsville CrocodilesGlen SavilleWIN Entertainment Centre28 April 2001Townsville Crocodiles114–97Wollongong HawksTownsville Entertainment Centre29 April 2001Wollongong Hawks97–94Townsville CrocodilesWIN Entertainment Centre200212 April 2002Adelaide 36ers106–97West Sydney RazorbacksBrett MaherClipsal Powerhouse14 April 2002West Sydney Razorbacks103–100Adelaide 36ersState Sports Centre19 April 2002Adelaide 36ers125–107West Sydney RazorbacksClipsal Powerhouse20033 April 2003Sydney Kings98–94Perth WildcatsChris WilliamsSydney Entertainment Centre6 April 2003Sydney Kings117–101Perth WildcatsChallenge Stadium200424 March 2004Sydney Kings96–76West Sydney RazorbacksMatthew NielsenSydney Entertainment Centre26 March 2004West Sydney Razorbacks87–72Sydney KingsState Sports Centre31 March 2004West Sydney Razorbacks106–97Sydney KingsSydney Entertainment Centre4 April 2004Sydney Kings82–77West Sydney RazorbacksState Sports Centre6 April 2004Sydney Kings90–79West Sydney RazorbacksSydney Entertainment Centre200512 March 2005Sydney Kings96–73Wollongong HawksJason SmithSydney Entertainment Centre14 March 2005Sydney Kings105–80Wollongong HawksWIN Entertainment Centre19 March 2005Sydney Kings112–85Wollongong HawksSydney Entertainment Centre200624 February 2006Melbourne Tigers100–93Sydney KingsChris AnsteySydney Entertainment Centre26 February 2006Melbourne Tigers103–99Sydney KingsState Netball Hockey Centre28 February 2006Melbourne Tigers88–83Sydney KingsSydney Entertainment Centre20072 March 2007Brisbane Bullets98–95Melbourne TigersSam MackinnonBrisbane Entertainment Centre4 March 2007Melbourne Tigers105–91Brisbane BulletsState Netball Hockey Centre7 March 2007Brisbane Bullets113–93Melbourne TigersBrisbane Entertainment Centre9 March 2007Brisbane Bullets103–94Melbourne TigersState Netball Hockey Centre20085 March 2008Sydney Kings95–74Melbourne TigersChris AnsteySydney Entertainment Centre7 March 2008Melbourne Tigers104–93Sydney KingsState Netball Hockey Centre9 March 2008Melbourne Tigers89–87Sydney KingsSydney Entertainment Centre12 March 2008Sydney Kings90–87Melbourne TigersState Netball Hockey Centre14 March 2008Melbourne Tigers85–73Sydney KingsSydney Entertainment Centre20094 March 2009South Dragons93–81Melbourne TigersDonta SmithHisense Arena6 March 2009Melbourne Tigers88–83South DragonsState Netball Hockey Centre8 March 2009South Dragons84–67Melbourne TigersHisense Arena11 March 2009Melbourne Tigers108–95South DragonsState Netball Hockey Centre13 March 2009South Dragons102–91Melbourne TigersHisense Arena20105 March 2010Perth Wildcats75–64Wollongong HawksKevin LischChallenge Stadium9 March 2010Wollongong Hawks75–63Perth WildcatsWIN Entertainment Centre12 March 2010Perth Wildcats96–72Wollongong HawksChallenge Stadium201120 April 2011New Zealand Breakers85–67Cairns TaipansThomas Abercrombie North Shore Events Centre24 April 2011Cairns Taipans85–81 (2OT)New Zealand BreakersCairns Convention Centre29 April 2011New Zealand Breakers71–53Cairns TaipansNorth Shore Events Centre201212 April 2012New Zealand Breakers104–98 (OT)Perth WildcatsC. J. BrutonVector Arena20 April 2012Perth Wildcats87–86New Zealand BreakersChallenge Stadium24 April 2012New Zealand Breakers79–73Perth WildcatsVector Arena20137 April 2013New Zealand Breakers79–67Perth WildcatsCedric JacksonVector Arena12 April 2013New Zealand Breakers70–66Perth WildcatsPerth Arena20147 April 2014Perth Wildcats92–85 (OT)Adelaide 36ersJermaine BealPerth Arena11 April 2014Adelaide 36ers89–84Perth WildcatsAdelaide Arena13 April 2014Perth Wildcats93–59Adelaide 36ersPerth Arena20156 March 2015New Zealand Breakers86–71Cairns TaipansCedric JacksonCairns Convention Centre8 March 2015New Zealand Breakers83–81 Cairns TaipansNorth Shore Events Centre20162 March 2016Perth Wildcats82–76New Zealand BreakersDamian MartinPerth Arena4 March 2016New Zealand Breakers71–68Perth WildcatsNorth Shore Events Centre6 March 2016Perth Wildcats75–52New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena201726 February 2017Perth Wildcats89–77Illawarra HawksBryce CottonPerth Arena1 March 2017Perth Wildcats89–77Illawarra HawksWIN Entertainment Centre5 March 2017Perth Wildcats95–86Illawarra HawksPerth Arena201816 March 2018Melbourne United107–96Adelaide 36ersChris GouldingHisense Arena18 March 2018Adelaide 36ers110–95Melbourne UnitedTitanium Security Arena23 March 2018Melbourne United101–98Adelaide 36ersHisense Arena25 March 2018Adelaide 36ers90–81Melbourne UnitedTitanium Security Arena31 March 2018Melbourne United100–82Adelaide 36ersHisense Arena20198 March 2019Perth Wildcats81–71Melbourne UnitedTerrico WhiteRAC Arena10 March 2019Melbourne United92–74Perth WildcatsMelbourne Arena15 March 2019Perth Wildcats96–67Melbourne UnitedRAC Arena17 March 2019Melbourne United84–97Perth WildcatsMelbourne Arena20208 March 2020Sydney Kings86–88Perth WildcatsBryce CottonQudos Bank Arena13 March 2020Perth Wildcats85–97Sydney KingsRAC Arena15 March 2020Sydney Kings96–111Perth WildcatsQudos Bank Arena202118 June 2021Perth Wildcats70–73Melbourne UnitedJock LandaleRAC Arena20 June 2021Perth Wildcats74–83Melbourne UnitedRAC Arena25 June 2021Melbourne United81–76Perth WildcatsJohn Cain Arena20226 May 2022Sydney Kings95–78Tasmania JackJumpersXavier CooksQudos Bank Arena8 May 2022Tasmania JackJumpers86–90Sydney KingsMyState Bank Arena11 May 2022Sydney Kings97–88Tasmania JackJumpersQudos Bank Arena20233 March 2023New Zealand Breakers95–87Sydney KingsDerrick WaltonQudos Bank Arena5 March 2023Sydney Kings81–74New Zealand BreakersSpark Arena10 March 2023Sydney Kings91–68New Zealand BreakersQudos Bank Arena12 March 2023New Zealand Breakers80–70Sydney KingsSpark Arena15 March 2023Sydney Kings77–69New Zealand BreakersQudos Bank Arena202417 March 2024Melbourne United104–81Tasmania JackJumpersJack McVeighJohn Cain Arena22 March 2024Tasmania JackJumpers82–77Melbourne UnitedMyState Bank Arena24 March 2024Melbourne United91–93Tasmania JackJumpersJohn Cain Arena28 March 2024Tasmania JackJumpers86–88Melbourne UnitedMyState Bank Arena31 March 2024Melbourne United81–83Tasmania JackJumpersJohn Cain Arena

FinalsTeamWinLoss% Note16Perth Wildcats106Have made every playoffs since 1986 to 2021.12Melbourne United66Four championships won as the Tigers. Rebranded as Melbourne United in 2014.8Sydney Kings53Team folded in 2008, returned in 2010.8Adelaide 36ers44Won the first 3 game Grand Final series in 1986.6New Zealand Breakers42Became the first non Australian NBL champions in 2011.6Brisbane Bullets33Team folded in 2008, won the last stand alone GF in 1985, returned in 2016–17.5Canberra Cannons32Became the Hunter Pirates in 2003.4North Melbourne Giants22Merged to form the Victoria Titans in 1998–99.4S. E. Melbourne Magic22Merged to form the Victoria Titans in 1998–99.2St. Kilda Saints20Inaugural NBL champions in 1979. Became the Westside Saints in 1987.4Illawarra Hawks13Won their only title as the Wollongong Hawks in 2001.3West Adelaide Bearcats12Left the NBL in 1984, now in the NBL1 Central.2Tasmania JackJumpers11Runners up in 2022. Champions 2024.1Launceston Casino City10Played only 3 NBL seasons, team folded in 1983.1South Dragons10Quit the NBL after their 2009 title win.2Cairns Taipans02Runners up in 2011, 2015.2Victoria Titans02Became the Victoria Giants in 2002.2West Sydney Razorbacks02Became the Sydney Spirit in 2008, folded in 2009.1Eastside Spectres01Merged to form the S. E. Melbourne Magic in 1991.1Geelong Cats01Became the Geelong Supercats in 1988, now in NBL1 South.1Nunawading Spectres01Became the Eastside Spectres in 1987, now in NBL1 South.1Townsville Crocodiles01Runners up in 2001. * Teams in bold are currently in the NBL.