13th August 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
Melbourne, VICTORIA - Two captains, two very different styles of leadership and two seasons still alive.
When elimination basketball demanded someone step forward, Wallan's Emmie Gardiner and Surfcoast's Jason Reardon showed exactly why their teams look to them.
Gardiner was immense in Wallan's 89-46 Division 2 Women elimination final win over Coburg, while Reardon produced a triple double as Surfcoast held off Craigieburn by six points in Division 1 Men.
Both performances helped send their teams into this weekend's semi-finals.
Gardiner finished with 31 points, 30 rebounds, including 20 defensive boards, five blocks, two assists and two steals.
Thirty rebounds may not have been part of the plan, nor was quite as much court time. With Gardiner's sister and teammate Maddi eventually fouling out, the Wallan captain spent longer on court than she might have hoped, but certainly made those extra minutes count.
Despite the remarkable numbers, Gardiner was quick to shift the focus to the group around her.
"It all came down to how we were as a team. We were locked in from the start, we knew we wanted to win, and everyone was on the same page," Gardiner said.
"We've put egos aside this season. We stand by each other, trust each other and believe in each other. Every week it doesn't fall on one person, we've had different people stepping up when needed."
That team-first mentality also shapes Gardiner's approach to captaincy.
"I want to set a good example for the girls and help set the tone," she said.
"I'm a hard captain, I like to win, but I think the girls see that passion from me and respect that."
Wallan Head Coach Jarrod Bridge said Gardiner's influence extended well beyond the box score.
"She'll push you, guide you and lead you; everything she asks, she will do," Bridge said.
"She is just a phenomenal leader and I've been really lucky as a coach.
"Her son always says, 'Mum is a weapon' and she really shows it."
For Bridge, the victory was also a reflection of a group that has learned to embrace their individual roles.
"Each player has figured out their place in the team. It was that light-bulb moment of, if we all do those little things, then we're pretty amazing together," he said.
Wallan now turns its attention to Blackburn and a physical semi-final battle.
"They're a really well-run team. They run their sets well and use a lot of screens," Bridge said.
"We need to match them with pace and scoring, but realistically for us it's about our defence."
Experience leads the way for Surfcoast
While Gardiner led through passion and intensity, Reardon provided the calm and composure Surfcoast needed in a much tighter elimination final.
The captain recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, helping Surfcoast keep its season alive with a six-point win over Craigieburn.
"It's not really about me shooting the ball, it's more helping the boys get organised, making sure everyone gets to the right spots and being a coach out on the court," Reardon said.
"Being one of the older guys, it's understanding the moment and helping guide everyone to make the right moves at the right times."
That experience has made Reardon an important role model for Surfcoast's younger players, particularly when the pressure rises.
"You need to be calm and say, 'Take a breath, we're okay here'," he said.
"They look to you, your body language and how you carry yourself."
Surfcoast Head Coach Dan Riches said Reardon's ability to bring out the best in those around him was one of his greatest strengths.
"That's him, as advertised, the bigger the game, the bigger the performance," Riches said.
"Every possession he leads by voice and by example. The guys grow a foot around him. He makes others significantly better just by being around him."
It's an influence that has helped a Surfcoast group rise from Division 2 champions last season to Division 1 semi-finalists this year.
"We've added some vital pieces, but the core group is still there, and everyone has had to grow," Reardon said.
"We've got guys who have played at a high level and the younger guys are like sponges, taking it all in."
Riches said a difficult middle stretch of the season ultimately galvanised the group, which now sits one win away from a Grand Final in its first season following promotion.
Blackburn stands in the way this weekend, but after splitting their two meetings this season, Riches said Surfcoast was ready to embrace the challenge.
"We respect them, but we have no fear of them," he said.
"We understand they're the favourites. We've won one and lost one against them, so it should be a good game. We feel fresh and we're ready to go."
-Ends-
For Media Enquiries:
Maree DeGeorge
Media and Communications - Basketball Victoria
maree.degeorge@basketballvictoria.com.au
0499 851 266
