In 2023, Geelong United Basketball has been represented in Victorian Junior Basketball League competition by 45 teams.
For our under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 VJL teams, this Friday night marks the conclusion of the regular season.
Let’s take a look at how these rosters are positioned headed into Round 18.
Next week: Finals update, VC and under-20s
UNDER-18 GIRLS
18G2 – VJL 6 (6th)
Defeated Collingwood last week to climb to 35 points, percentage behind fifth-placed Keilor (who has Geelong United on head-to-head), one point adrift of fourth-placed Broadmeadows, and two behind Collingwood. Play ladder leader Diamond Valley in the final round. If GU can tip over the Eagles, and any of the three above them lose, they will sneak into the finals. A loss will end their season.
UNDER-18 BOYS
18B1 – VJL1 (1st)
Can’t move from top spot. Geelong United will host potential finals opponent Coburg at AWA Alliance Bank Stadium before having the bye to open the playoffs.
18B2 – VJL4 (1st)
Locked in as regular-season champions, Geelong United will head to fourth-placed Altona for a finals tuneup ahead of enjoying the opening weekend of the finals off.
18B3 – VJL 6 (10th)
A challenging season finishes with a Geelong Arena meeting against likely regular-season champion Whittlesea
18B4 – VJL 7 (2nd)
Locked into a top-three finish, Geelong United faces bottom-of-the-ladder Sunbury as it chases a fourth consecutive win entering a meeting with Keilor in the first week of the finals.
18B5 – VJL 8 (7th)
Geelong United will look to end the season with a win against third-placed Broadmeadows.
18B6 – VJL 9 (8th)
Consecutive losses to Altona and Craigieburn ended Geelong United’s finals hopes. In a tight competition, GU will look to end the season by knocking Coburg out of top spot.
18B7 – VJL 9 (9th)
A tough campaign has ended for Geelong United, which has the bye in the final round.
UNDER-16 GIRLS
16G2 – VJL2 (6th)
The simple equation is; beat ninth-placed Melbourne Tigers at MSAC, and Sandringham defeats Surfcoast, Geelong United will claim fifth spot. However, a win, coupled with a victory to Bulleen and a loss by Sandringham, will see three teams on 37 points. A loss for GU and Bulleen and a Keilor victory would result in that trio finishing on 35 points. In both situations, mini-ladders would determine final positions.
16G3 – VJL6 (1st)
On top of the ladder, the interest in Geelong United’s final-round trip to Altona is whether they can keep their unbeaten run through the regular season alive heading into a week off.
16G4 – VJL7 (3rd)
No matter the result of the final round road meeting with Collingwood, Geelong United will meet Sunbury in a double-chance final to open the playoffs.
UNDER-16 BOYS
16B2 – VJL4 (2nd)
The first of consecutive meetings with Melbourne Tigers for Geelong United. No matter the result of their meeting at Geelong Arena, GU and Tigers will do battle in the first week of the playoffs.
16B3 – VJL5 (2nd)
No matter the result of the trip to Collingwood, Geelong United will start the finals with a double chance. A win over the All-Stars could end the home team’s season. A loss could see the two play again next week.
16B4 – VJL8 (3rd)
Safe inside the top five but could finish anywhere from second to fifth. A win over bottom-placed Whittlesea will be enough for Geelong United to seal the double chance.
16B5 – VJL9 (5th)
The finals have come a week early for Geelong United. Beat Altona at AWA Alliance Bank Stadium, and finals are assured, with the Sunbury-Westgate result impacting where GU finishes. Lose and phones will be checked furiously to see both the Jets-Imperials and Melbourne Tigers-Diamond Valley results.
16B6 – VJL8 (7th)
Even with a win over Collingwood and a Coburg loss, Geelong United would be squeezed out of the top five on head-to-head by the Giants.
16B7 – VJL10 (4th)
Beat Melton, and either Whittlesea or Coburg slip up in the final round, Geelong United will snatch a top-three finish. However, if GU does beat the Thoroughbreds but the Pacers and Giants win, they will start their finals campaign from an elimination final.
16B8 – VJL11 (8th)
Will look to finish the season with a third win of the season when it hosts Collingwood at Geelong Arena.
16B9 – VJL12 (3rd)
Faces a tough ask to retain the double chance with a trip to Mill Park to host ladder-leading Whittlesea. Lose, and Geelong United leaves itself vulnerable to Melbourne Tigers snatching a top-three spot. Win, and they’ll meet Craigieburn in the first week of the finals.
16B10 – VJL12 (6th)
Hosts fifth-placed Melbourne Tigers with victory still not enough to sneak into the finals. However, it can help the 16B9 finish with a double chance by beating Tigers.
UNDER-14 GIRLS
14G1 – VJL1 (5th)
Face ladder leader Korumburra at Waverley needing a win to guarantee finals action. Lose, and the results of matches involving Craigieburn and McKinnon will determine Geelong United’s playoff fate.
14G2 – VJL 5 (3rd)
With the double chance locked in, Geelong United will be keen to tune up for their first final against Bacchus Marsh with a road win over Wyndham.
14G3 – VJL 5 (9th)
Will finish 9th irrespective of the result of their final-round matchup with Ballarat at Geelong Arena.
14G4 – VJL 8 (7th)
Three points adrift of the top five, a win at Geelong Arena over Craigieburn won’t be enough for Geelong United to snatch a finals berth.
UNDER-14 BOYS
14B2 – VJL2 (6th)
Playing for pride in the final round when they travel to Ballarat. Even with a win over the Miners and a loss by fifth-placed Camberwell to Kilsyth, the Dragons have Geelong United on head-to-head.
14B3 – VJL4 (1st)
Locked into top spot and a week off to start the finals, Geelong United will host a Whittlesea team at Geelong Arena that will be keen to cause an upset to secure a playoff berth.
14B4 – VJL5 (3rd)
Locked into third spot, Geelong United will host Melbourne Tigers at Geelong Arena to end its regular season. Will play either Broadmeadows 2 or Broadmeadows 3 in the qualifying final.
14B5 – VJL9 (4th)
The Fives are guaranteed a finals berth in a pool featuring three Geelong United teams. If they can beat Bellarine and the Eights knock over third-placed Coburg, they’ll secure the double chance and a meeting with the Eights in the first week of the finals.
14B6 – VJL9 (1st)
Will look to end a dominant regular season with a 17th win when they travel to Westgate. Will enjoy a week off before starting their finals campaign – potentially against another Geelong United team.
14B7 – VJL12 (1st)
Already crowned regular-season champions, a final-round road meeting with Sunbury will act as a tuneup for the finals for Geelong United.
14B8 – VJL9 (2nd)
Locked into a top-three finish, beating Coburg could have a two-fold effect on Geelong United. If the Eights win and the Fives win, they’ll meet in a qualifying final. If the Fives lose, the Eights will play the Giants again next week.
14B9 – VJL12 (1st)
Geelong United makes the trip to Melton in search of a fourth win for the season to end its campaign.
UNDER-12 GIRLS
12G1 – VJL1 (5th)
Beat eighth-placed Sunbury and Geelong United will be playing finals. However, a loss to the Jets and a Coburg win over Westgate would see GU drop to sixth.
12G2 – VJL4 (2nd)
Can finish anywhere between second and fourth. A win over ladder leader Diamond Valley would secure second spot for Geelong United. However, a loss, and wins for Eltham and Sunbury, would drop GU to fourth.
12G3 – VJL5 (9th)
A trip to Werribee for a meeting with Wyndham brings the season to a close for the Threes.
UNDER-12 BOYS
12B2 – VJL2 (6th)
Must beat ninth-placed Hawthorn and rely on what happens with Bulleen and Eltham, who, like Geelong United, sit on 35 points in fourth and fifth spots, respectively.
12B3 – VJL4 (3rd)
A win over the ladder-leading Melton will ensure a top-three finish. However, a loss to the Thoroughbreds and a Diamond Valley victory over Melbourne Tigers would result fourth place and a spot in an elimination final.
12B4 – VJL7 (7th)
The Fourths will be chasing a seventh win of the season when it travels up the Bacchus Marsh Road for a meeting with the eighth-placed Lions.
