24th August 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
First versus second in both divisions. Four outstanding teams. Two Championship titles on the line.
Melbourne, VICTORIA – A season’s worth of work comes down to one final game on Saturday, with the Championship Women’s and Men’s titles to be decided in a huge Big V double-header at the State Basketball Centre.
The top two teams in both divisions have earned their place on the Grand Final stage, setting up two quality match-ups filled with elite guards, powerful inside presences and players capable of changing a game.
Basketball Victoria’s Big V League Manager Andrew West said the two Grand Finals promised an exciting finish to a highly competitive Championship season.
“To have first playing second in both divisions sets up a fantastic day of basketball,” West said.
“These four teams have been outstanding throughout the season and have earned the opportunity to compete for a Championship. There is quality right across the floor in both games, and we’re looking forward to seeing it all come together on the Grand Final stage.”
McKinnon and Sherbrooke will open proceedings in the Championship Women’s Grand Final at 4:30pm, before Hume City and McKinnon battle for the Championship Men’s crown at 7:30pm.
There has been little separating McKinnon and Sherbrooke all season.
McKinnon finished on top with 20 regular-season wins and just two losses, while Sherbrooke was close behind with a 19–3 record.
Second-year Sherbrooke import Oliana Squires has been consistently strong, while Emma Pearce has added another dimension to the team after playing NBL1 South with Knox last year. Floor general Zoe Zwerling brings composure and control, commanding the offence and setting the tone on the floor.
In his first year as Sherbrooke head coach, Matt Shanahan has brought the group together and guided the Suns to within one win of the title.
Standing in their way is a McKinnon team with threats across the floor.
Imports Katherine Vaile and Javyn Nicholson form a dangerous inside-outside combination. Viale provides a strong interior presence, while Nicholson’s face-up game makes her a difficult match-up.
In the backcourt, Maighan Hedge and captain Amy Baum form one of the competition’s most accomplished guard combinations. Both can take control at the point, giving McKinnon multiple ways to run the offence and dictate the contest.
Mason Rogers is also in his first season with McKinnon and returns to the Grand Final stage after leading Bulleen to last year’s Championship Women’s title.
The action continues at 7:30pm, when Hume and McKinnon meet in another first-versus-second showdown for the Championship Men’s crown.
Returning Hume import Ricardo Time has stepped up during the finals and enters the decider following an 18-point, 15-rebound, seven-assist and two-steal performance.
But the Broncos’ strength is in their depth. Six Hume players scored in double figures over the weekend, showing just how many options McKinnon will need to contain.
Lachlan Wood has been consistently strong in his first season at Hume, while captain Robert Coman gives the Broncos a strong physical presence inside and leads from the five.
Promoted from Hume’s Youth League program, first-year Championship coach Simon Gray has built a balanced and connected team that has been among the competition’s strongest all season.
McKinnon will bring plenty of firepower of its own.
Veteran Troyce Manassa has made an immediate impact in his return to Big V after a year away and is coming off 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Josh McQueen has been massive throughout the season and established himself as one of the competition’s leading young players, while captain Mitch Barry remains McKinnon’s leader and floor general, contributing across every part of the game.
In his first season as head coach, James McKinnon has assembled a talented group and guided them all the way to the final game of the year.
With the competition’s best teams going head-to-head and outstanding match-ups everywhere you look, both Grand Finals have all the ingredients to deliver a fitting finish to the Big V Championship season.
Big V Championship Grand Finals
Saturday 29 August | State Basketball Centre
Championship Women: McKinnon v Sherbrooke – 4:30pm
Championship Men: Hume v McKinnon – 7:30pm
Ticket sales will open shortly! Keep your eyes on our socials for more details.
-Ends-
