The Canberra Gunners have advanced to a third NBL1 East grand final in the past four years after beating the Sutherland Sharks 84-76 in Tuggeranong on Saturday night. 

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The win completed an unbeaten 2025 campaign at home, although the Gunners had to overcome a spirited Sharks comeback through the second and third quarters, before a dominant final quarter saw them home. 

The Gunners started hot and led 25-11 at the first quarter, after shooting 10/21 from the field while the Sharks could only manage 5/18. 

Sutherland hit back with strong second quarter to narrow the gap to two, and then gained and extended the lead to nine by the end of the third quarter, with the Gunners staring down the barrel of a first home loss for the season. 

James Toohey and Derek Emelifeonwu delivered multiple hammer blows from beyond the arc in the fourth, as the Gunners regained the composure and the lead, responding with a commanding 24-7 final period. Canberra landed 5/9 from deep in that final term to the desperate Sharks’ 0/7, securing the eight-point win and their third appearance in the NBL1 East Grand Final. 

The Gunners will take on minor premiers Illawarra in Penrith this Saturday night, after the Hawks accounted for the BA Centre of Excellence men 98-89 in Wollongong. 

For Canberra, league MVP runner-up Will Mayfield delivered 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in the win, with All Star Five selection Glenn Morison adding 17 points, nine boards, three assists and three blocked shots. 

Toohey also had 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks, and Derek Emelifeonwu nine points, three boards and two steals. 

Luke Jamieson provided 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for Sutherland, while Sydney Kings big man Kouat Noi was kept to 12 points and 5/18 from the field.  

CANBERRA GUNNERS 84 (Mayfield 19, Morison 17, Toohey 17) 

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 76 (Jamieson 19, Hutchison 17, Noi 12)