Drmic powers Chargers in 75% FG 29-point statement

Anthony Drmic scored 29 points as Hobart Chargers rolled Diamond Valley in 2026 NBL1 South Men.

Melbourne Tigers remain on top of the NBL1 South Men ladder but Hobart Chargers and Casey Cavaliers delivered two of the most dominant performances of Round 7.

Hobart exploded offensively at home behind Anthony Drmic and Luke Rosendale, while Casey dismantled Bendigo with pace, ball movement and defensive pressure.

The middle section of the ladder continues tightening, with multiple teams separated by only percentage entering Round 8.

How to watch every NBL1 game LIVE and FREE
NBL1 Ladder

What the Round Told UsHobart’s offence can overwhelm teams when its perimeter shooting clicksCasey’s depth and transition pressure remain difficult to containMelbourne Tigers continue setting the standard offensivelyThe battle for positions four through 10 remains highly compressedDefensive consistency is becoming the biggest separator across the conferenceGame of the Round #1Hobart Chargers 107 def. Diamond Valley Eagles 78

Anthony Drmic, Luke Rosendale and Jacob Richards combined for 79 points as Hobart Chargers responded emphatically at home with a dominant win over Diamond Valley Eagles.

Drmic finished with 29 points on 75% shooting, repeatedly attacking the paint and finishing efficiently in transition.

Rosendale added 28 points and five made threes, while Richards scored 22 points on 66.7% shooting as Hobart generated quality offence across all four quarters.

The Chargers broke the game open with a 36-point third quarter, pushing the margin beyond 20 through perimeter shooting and defensive pressure.

Xavier Clarke added 18 points on 70% shooting, including four made threes, while Hobart shot 54% overall and knocked down 11 triples.

The Eagles struggled offensively throughout the night, shooting just 36.1% from the field and 19.4% from three-point range.

Ryley Haywood led Diamond Valley with 17 points, while Emmanuel Malou and Daniel Poelsma added 14 points each.

Hobart’s defensive activity limited Diamond Valley’s offensive rhythm and forced difficult half-court possessions throughout the second half.

Game Snapshot

Quarter Scores: Hobart 20-16, 29-23, 36-20, 22-19
Largest Lead: Hobart +31
Game Context: Hobart separated decisively during a dominant third quarter offensive surge

By the NumbersAnthony Drmic: 29 pts on 75% shootingLuke Rosendale: 28 pts – 5 threesJacob Richards: 22 pts – 6 rebHobart: 54.1% FG – 11 made threesDiamond Valley: 19.4% 3PTGame of the Round #2Casey Cavaliers 109 def. Bendigo Braves 76

Casey Cavaliers produced one of the league’s most complete team performances of the round, overpowering Bendigo Braves from the opening quarter.

The Cavaliers exploded for 37 first-quarter points and never lost control, finishing with seven players scoring at least seven points.

Tanner Krebs led the way with 19 points and seven assists, while Jesse Ghee added 19 points, five assists and four steals.

Patrick Ryan contributed 18 points, while Yuot Ayuel Gai controlled the interior with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Casey shot 53.2% from the field, generated 19 assists and forced 20 Bendigo turnovers through consistent defensive pressure.

The Cavaliers also finished +29 across the second half as their depth and transition offence continued stretching the margin.

Billy Smythe led Bendigo with 19 points, while Jarvis Doles recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Ray Turner scored 14 points in under 12 minutes, but Bendigo struggled containing Casey’s ball movement and scoring balance for extended stretches.

Game Snapshot

Quarter Scores: Casey 37-14, 23-31, 20-18, 29-13
Largest Lead: Casey +35
Game Context: Casey controlled the game from the opening quarter through defensive pressure and offensive depth

By the NumbersTanner Krebs: 19 pts – 7 astJesse Ghee: 19 pts – 5 ast – 4 stlYuot Ayuel Gai: 16 pts – 8 reb – 3 blkCasey: 53.2% FG – 13 stealsBendigo: 20 turnoversOther ResultsDandenong Rangers defeated Northern Force 116-93Kilsyth Cobras defeated Keilor Thunder 99-88Sandringham Sabres defeated Ringwood Hawks 98-89Waverley Falcons defeated Frankston Blues 88-84Knox Raiders defeated Geelong United 103-75Melbourne Tigers defeated Ballarat Miners 108-82Mt Gambier Pioneers defeated Bendigo Braves 94-82Eltham Wildcats defeated Mt Gambier Pioneers 95-77Casey Cavaliers defeated Nunawading Spectres 103-95Dandenong Rangers defeated Hobart Chargers 98-94Diamond Valley Eagles defeated Northern Force 112-82Men’s Ladder – After Round 7Melbourne Tigers – 8-2Nunawading Spectres – 8-3Knox Raiders – 8-3Eltham Wildcats – 8-3Kilsyth Cobras – 7-3Dandenong Rangers – 7-4Keilor Thunder – 6-5Casey Cavaliers – 6-5Watchlist – Round 8Kilsyth Cobras host Melbourne Tigers in a major top-five clashDandenong Rangers face Knox Raiders in a key finals-position matchupEltham Wildcats host Hobart Chargers in a high-scoring matchupCasey Cavaliers travel to Mt Gambier chasing consecutive winsRound 7 QuestionsIs Hobart’s offence sustainable against top-tier defensive teams?Can Casey climb into the top six before mid-season?Are Melbourne Tigers still the team to beat despite the congestion behind them?Which team outside the top eight is best positioned for a late run?Can Kilsyth continue climbing through the top-four race?