16
Aug
Central Women
Ultimate winner Erin Phillips goes out a champion
Australian basketball legend Erin Phillips goes out a winner, leading Woodville to its first NBL1 Central Women's Championship. Photo: Dan Cowley
Woodville Warriors crowned NBL1 Central Women Champions with stunning Grand Final victory
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Erin Phillips — two-time WNBA champion, FIBA world champion, three-time AFLW premiership champion and now NBL1 Central champion.
Phillips, 40, played her last basketball game in Woodville Warriors' 73-65 win against the Sturt Sabres in the NBL1 Central Conference Grand Final on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
It is the first time Woodville has won the NBL1 Central Conference. Phillips announced she was retired at the end of the NBL1 season. It's uncertain if she will play at the NBL1 National Championships.
The star guard played 32:20 minutes and finished with seven points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Phillips played 229 games in the WNBA and won titles with the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury. She was part of the Australian Opals team that won gold at the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Brazil.
Key Details
- Result: Woodville Warriors 73 def. Sturt Sabres 65 (Watch the Replay)
- When: August 16, 2025
- Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
By the Numbers
- Laura Erikstrup (Woodville) starred with 23 points, 13 rebounds and one assist in 40 minutes.
- Katia Stamatelopoulos (Sturt) scored 22 points, and had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes.
What Happened
The Woodville Warriors claimed the 2025 NBL1 Central Women's championship with a gritty eight-point victory against the Sturt Sabres at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The Warriors established control early, taking a 16-10 lead after the first quarter behind Naomi Allotey's dominant rebounding presence.
Woodville extended their advantage in the second period, outscoring Sturt 24-11 to build a commanding 40-21 halftime lead. Laura Erikstrup was outstanding in the paint, converting efficiently with 10-from-20 shooting from the field. Her 23 points and 13 rebounds proved decisive in the Warriors' championship victory.
The Sabres mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter, with Katia Stamatelopoulos finding her rhythm to pour in 22 points on the night. Sturt outscored Woodville 22-17 in the third period, cutting the deficit to 57-43 heading into the final quarter.
Sturt continued their resurgence in the fourth, winning the period 22-16 behind Nicola Mathews' leadership. The Sabres' captain finished with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, but her six turnovers proved costly in the championship decider.
The Warriors' balanced attack proved too much for Sturt to overcome. Naomi Allotey delivered a sensational performance with seven points and a game-high 17 rebounds, while Jordan Hunter contributed 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists as captain. Ida Andersson provided a crucial spark off the bench with 14 points, including four three-pointers on 50% shooting from beyond the arc.
Woodville's decisive advantage came on the glass, where they dominated with a 59-42 rebounding margin. This superiority in second-chance opportunities allowed the Warriors to overcome their 33.8% shooting from the field. Both teams struggled from three-point range, with Woodville shooting 7-from-30 (23.3%) and Sturt hitting 8-from-34 (23.5%).
The Warriors demonstrated superior ball movement throughout the contest, recording 21 assists compared to Sturt's 12. Their disciplined approach was evident in committing just 18 turnovers against Sturt's 14, helping them maintain control despite the Sabres' late charge.
With this championship victory, Woodville establishes themselves as the premier team in the 2025 NBL1 Central Women's competition, completing their season with the ultimate prize at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
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