1st October 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
Melbourne, VICTORIA – The Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League (VWBL) heads to Kilsyth this Saturday for Round 3, with an unbeaten leader, a close contest behind them and plenty of players making their mark.
After two rounds, the Kilsyth Cobras sit on top with four wins from four games. Frankston Blues are close behind with three wins, while Geelong United and Diamond Valley Eagles have two apiece. Bendigo Roller Braves broke through for their first win in Geelong, and the Western Melbourne Development Team continues to build in its first season.
The ladder tells part of the story. Across the opening rounds in Bendigo and Geelong, experienced athletes have stepped into leadership roles and younger players have gained valuable time on court.
Elliott Knight, Basketball Victoria’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Wheelchair Basketball, said there had been plenty to enjoy across the first two rounds.
“The standard of basketball has been fantastic, but what’s been just as rewarding is seeing players grow into different roles within their teams. We’ve got experienced athletes leading the way, younger players getting valuable minutes and teams finding their feet together. With two rounds still to play before finals, I’m excited to see how they continue to develop.”
There are examples right across the league. Some players have returned from national competitions with fresh confidence, while others are finding their place in the VWBL and becoming important parts of their teams.
Kilsyth has picked up where it left off last season, with reigning VWBL MVP Teisha Shadwell continuing to impress with her ball control, shooting and understanding of the game. Fresh from a national championship with the Sydney Blues, Shadwell has been joined in the Cobras lineup by Eliza Stauffer, whose speed and toughness have made her one of the league’s standout low-point players.
For Frankston, captain Sebastian Welsh leads the league in scoring. Welsh put up 31 points against Diamond Valley in Round 2 and has brought the confidence gained from his first national league season with the Victorian Marvels into the Blues’ strong start.
Jayden Clark is third in league scoring and scored 25 points for Geelong against Kilsyth in Round 2. Teammate Michelle Pillar has also shown impressive development since her first VWBL season, bringing speed, strong defence and toughness to every contest.
At Diamond Valley, Nathan Graetz continues to provide a consistent scoring option. Naisan Hirmiz is showing the progress he has made since his first season, while newcomer Michael Milton has made an immediate impact as a low-point player, helping the Eagles put their plans into action at both ends of the court.
Bendigo’s Harriet Caldwell has led from the front, averaging 14 points across the opening two rounds and taking on a greater leadership role on court. Hamish Baker has also shown strong development following his first national league season with the Marvels and a strong showing at the National Junior Wheelchair Championships. He even lent a hand with coaching in Round 2.
The Western Melbourne Development Team has an experienced leader in Georgie Gott, who has helped guide a roster that includes two of the league’s youngest players, both aged 12. Each round gives the new team more experience playing together and against the rest of the league.
Round 3 begins at 10am this Saturday, 3 October, at Kilsyth Basketball Stadium, with Frankston facing Western Melbourne and Geelong taking on Diamond Valley.
Diamond Valley then meets the unbeaten Cobras at 12.30pm, while Bendigo faces Western Melbourne. At 3pm, Kilsyth plays Bendigo and Geelong meets Frankston in a matchup between two teams near the top of the ladder.
Congratulations to the technical officials appointed for Round 3: Blaine Krapljanov, Gemma Terrill, Henry Ferguson, Samantha Burke, Ty Hodgens and Seth McCubbin. Thank you for the important role you play in supporting the competition and its athletes.
With two regular season rounds remaining, there is still time for teams to build momentum and for more athletes to step into the spotlight. Round 4 follows at the State Basketball Centre on 10 October, before finals on 17 October.
-Ends-
