NBL1 Central opener: Sixers face-off 

The NBL1 Central season tips off this weekend, with the Sturt Sabres and Forestville Eagles set to clash in a game featuring some of South Australia’s top basketball talent. With several Adelaide 36ers players taking the court, this matchup will be an early test for two teams with championship aspirations.

Sturt will be led by 36ers big man Ben Griscti, who made a name for himself in NBL1 Central last season. He’s eager for the challenge, particularly against a Forestville squad loaded with experienced players.

“I’m expecting a lot of talent on both teams with the amount of NBL experience and NBL1 success on that roster,” Griscti said. “They’re all new to each other, so they’ll be learning throughout the game, and for us, we’ll be coming together as well. I feel like it’ll be a good showcase of talent, and I’m expecting a great contest because of the rivalry that’s been in place for a very long time now.”

Griscti knows his team will need to step up defensively against 36ers captain DJ Vasiljevic, who is set to make his debut for Forestville.

“DJ is an extremely talented player—multiple campaigns with the Boomers, two championships at the NBL level—so you can only look at his game and try to force him into difficult shots or certain areas,” Griscti said. “He’s a very talented player, the captain of the 36ers, so we’re going to be very focused on him and expect him to give us his best.”

For Vasiljevic, joining an experienced Forestville squad that already features former 36er Alex Starling and club legend Daniel Johnson comes with high expectations.

“The expectation for us is to win,” Vasiljevic said. “Everyone’s going to put the pressure on us, and if we don’t win, people will joke around saying we should all retire. But at the end of the day, we just want to win another championship.”

He also expects a physical battle with Sturt and noted how the Sabres will be motivated after the loss of Jacob Rigoni, who was set to play this season before suffering an ACL injury.

“He was a big piece for them, so a lot of their guys will be coming out hungry to play hard for him. But it’s going to be a tough game. They recruited well, too, so it’s a good test for us to start the season.”

Beyond this season-opening matchup, Vasiljevic sees NBL1 Central as a valuable part of his preparation for the upcoming NBL season.

“It helps you kind of in many ways,” he said. “Number one, it’s about continuing to work on what you’re good at. It allows you to rediscover different parts of your game and expand it. But you’re also playing against guys who’ve played professionally before, so you’re still in a professional system.”

Vasiljevic also emphasized his decision to play in South Australia and how it fits into his long-term goals.

“I’ve got a good coaching staff and a good program in general here in SA, so I just want to be part of something good,” he said. “And at the end of the day, I want to play for a team that wanted me.”

Beyond Sturt and Forestville’s matchup, several other 36ers players will be suiting up across the NBL1 competitions this weekend:

NBL1 Central

• Sturt Sabres vs. Forestville Eagles: 36ers development player Paddy D'Arcy will also being suiting up for Sturt this Saturday night, as well as development player Fiston Ipassou for Forestville. 
• West Adelaide Bearcats vs. Woodville Warriors: Keanu Rasmussen and Lat Mayen will suit up for the Bearcats in their season opener on Saturday March 29 at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre. 
• South Adelaide Panthers vs. Southern Tigers: Tom Kubank and the Panthers take on Southern Tigers on Sunday March 30 at Morphett Vale Basketball Stadium. 

NBL1 South

• Knox Raiders vs. Kilsyth Cobras: Sunday Dech makes his debut for the Raiders as they host Kilsyth on Saturday March 29 at the State Basketball Centre. 

With 36ers players spread across multiple NBL1 competitions, fans will have plenty of chances to watch them in action during the off-season. The opening weekend is set to showcase some of the best talent in the league, with Sturt and Forestville’s clash setting the tone.