West Australian basketball has been swept up in a wave of excitement as two of its proudest clubs, the Cockburn Cougars and the Geraldton Buccaneers, secured their spots in Sunday’s NBL1 National Championships Grand Finals. Both teams, representing different regions of the state but bonded by their shared blue and gold colours, have carried their state pride to the national stage in Canberra.
For Cockburn, it has been a story of sheer dominance. The Cougars’ women’s side has carried the momentum of their unbeaten NBL1 West championship season straight into the Nationals, extending their flawless run. Their path to the grand final has been marked by resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering belief in their system. They will now face the Knox Raiders, a powerhouse in their own right, in a clash that promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
The Geraldton Buccaneers have been equally impressive. Representing WA’s regions with grit and pride, the Buccaneers’ men’s team has bulldozed through the competition with their trademark physicality and precision. Their reward is a grand final showdown against the Canberra Gunners, setting the stage for a battle between regional strength and the home-town heroes.
A Shared Identity: Blue and Gold
What makes this year’s Nationals particularly special for WA basketball is the unity between the two clubs. Both the Cougars and Buccaneers wear blue and gold, and the symbolism of those colours has created a powerful sense of shared identity across the state.
Basketball WA Acting CEO Tyrone Thwaites captured that spirit perfectly when speaking about what these finals mean to the state.
“It’s West is Best. That’s our catch-cry,” Thwaites said. “This highlights the strength and consistency of our conferences, our clubs and our love of basketball. We’re really excited to have both teams in the final.
To have an undefeated Cockburn and a regional team like Geraldton in the final is exciting for WA.”
That shared identity has been building for some time. Thwaites explained how the bond between the two sides was strengthened during their conference finals when both faced the Warwick Senators.
“They banded together in the conference grand finals to celebrate being blue and gold because they were both playing against Warwick Senators, and that has tipped over into this week. There’s a WA love affair that naturally forms over our two winners but this has been exacerbated by the fact they were already supporting each other.
All of the posts from both clubs are saying West Is Best but also they are celebrating the blue and gold.”
A Historic Opportunity Awaits
If both Cockburn and Geraldton can get the job done on Sunday, it will mark the second time in the four-year history of the NBL1 National Championships that WA teams have captured both the men’s and women’s titles in the same year.
The first instance came in 2022, when the Warwick Senators women and the Rockingham Flames men etched their names into WA sporting folklore by winning the inaugural edition of the event. That achievement was hailed as a landmark moment for basketball in the state. Now, just two years later, WA has the chance to repeat that history and further underline its growing influence on the national stage.
For Cockburn, the task will be about keeping composure and embracing the pressure of defending their unbeaten streak. Facing Knox will not be easy—the Raiders are known for their discipline and physicality—but the Cougars’ blend of speed and shooting depth makes them a formidable opponent for any team.
Geraldton, meanwhile, must prepare for the intensity of playing the Canberra Gunners on their home turf. The Buccaneers have built their reputation on toughness and relentless effort, but they will need to match Canberra’s tempo and neutralize the influence of their home crowd if they are to lift the trophy.
The Broader Impact on WA Basketball
Beyond the finals themselves, the dual success of Cockburn and Geraldton has shone a spotlight on the broader development of basketball in Western Australia. The state’s clubs have consistently shown that they can compete with—and beat—the best teams in the country.
Thwaites’ comments underline the sense of pride across the WA basketball community. The catch-cry “West is Best” has become more than a slogan—it reflects a culture of resilience, camaraderie, and commitment to growing the sport from grassroots through to elite levels.
The alignment of colours—blue and gold—has only strengthened this unity. What began as a rallying cry during the conference finals has transformed into a symbol of state pride at the Nationals, capturing the imagination of fans and players alike.
Looking Ahead to Sunday
As the finals approach, anticipation continues to build. A clean sweep by WA teams would elevate the state’s reputation even further and provide inspiration for the next generation of players. The women’s and men’s squads of Cockburn and Geraldton now carry the hopes of an entire state on their shoulders.
Whether it’s the metropolitan dominance of the Cougars or the regional grit of the Buccaneers, one thing is clear: Western Australia is making its mark on national basketball in a way that cannot be ignored.
