Eastern Suns vs Perry Lakes Hawks
Saturday Night | Ray Owen Sports Centre

Pre-Purchase your tickets at https://www.intix.com.au/event/nbl1-ef-eastern-suns-v-perry-lakes-2026

Finals basketball returns to The Furnace as the Eastern Suns host the Perry Lakes Hawks in a win-or-go-home Elimination Final this Saturday night.

After a season built on resilience, growth and exciting basketball, the Suns now have the opportunity to extend their campaign in front of a passionate home crowd. Standing in their way is a Perry Lakes side that pushed them all season and will arrive equally determined to keep its season alive.

Both teams enter the finals after suffering narrow losses in the final round of the regular season. The Suns fell in a hard-fought battle with Willetton, while Perry Lakes were defeated by the Geraldton Buccaneers. Finishing sixth and seventh respectively, there’s little separating these two sides heading into what promises to be an intense finals contest.

With a place in next week’s Semi Final on the line, expect finals intensity from the opening tip.

FORM GUIDE

The Suns head into the finals after securing sixth place on the NBL1 West ladder, earning the club’s first Mens finals appearance since 2019. While last weekend’s loss to Willetton was disappointing, the group has consistently shown an ability to respond throughout the season.

Perry Lakes also enters the finals looking to bounce back after falling to Geraldton in the final round. Finishing one place behind the Suns in seventh, the Hawks have been one of the competition’s toughest sides in the back half of the season and will be eager to continue their season.

LAST TIME THEY MET

The Suns produced one of their best comeback victories of the season when the sides last met, overturning a 13-point halftime deficit to claim a thrilling 95–90 victory.

A dominant third quarter swung the momentum back towards the Suns before they held their nerve late to close out an important win.

Joe Cook-Green starred with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in a complete performance, while Terrandus Smith added 23 points and 6 assists. Marley Sam continued his outstanding campaign with 19 points, 4 assists and 4 steals as the Suns’ big three combined to take control when it mattered most.

The performance perfectly reflected the character this group has displayed all season—never giving in and finding a way when the pressure is at its highest.

ONES TO WATCH

The trio of Joe Cook-Green, Terrandus Smith and Marley Sam combined for 67 points the last time these teams met and will again be central to the Suns’ chances on Saturday night.

With all three capable of taking over a game offensively while impacting both ends of the floor, Perry Lakes will need to find a way to slow down the trio.

Finals are here.

One game. One opportunity.

Pack the stands. Bring the noise. Wear your orange.

Let’s defend The Furnace and keep the season alive. Go Suns!