2009–10 NBL season

The 2009–10 NBL season was the 32nd season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The 48-minute game switched to a 40-minute game.

Preseason
Pre-season training began for a majority of clubs during the last week of July.

A pre-season tourney, dubbed the NBL Top End Challenge, involving all eight sides was contested during August in Darwin, Northern Territory.

NBL Top End Challenge
Wollongong Hawks win Top End Challenge.

Regular season
The 2009–10 regular season took place over 20 rounds between 24 September 2009 and 14 February 2010.

Round 1
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Round 2
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Round 3
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Round 4
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Round 5
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Round 6
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Round 7
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Round 8
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Round 9
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Round 10
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Round 11
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Round 12
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Round 13
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Round 14
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Round 15
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Round 16
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Round 17
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Round 18
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Round 19
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Round 20
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Ladder
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

''13-way Head-to-Head between Wollongong Hawks (5-3), Townsville Crocodiles (4-4) and Gold Coast Blaze (3-5). ''

''1Cairns Taipans won Head-to-Head (3-1). ''

Finals
The 2009–10 National Basketball League Finals played between 18 February 2010 and 12 March 2010, consisting of two best-of-three semi-finals and final series in which the higher seed hosts the first and deciding third game.

Playoff Seedings

 * 1) Perth Wildcats
 * 2) Wollongong Hawks
 * 3) Townsville Crocodiles
 * 4) Gold Coast Blaze

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of a tie of three or more teams, winning percentage in games played only between those teams will determine order of finish.

Under that system, Wollongong (5–3) will finish second, Townsville (4–4) third and Gold Coast (3–5) fourth.

Semi-finals
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Grand Final
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Season awards

 * Most Valuable Player: Corey Williams, Townsville Crocodiles
 * Rookie of the Year: Jesse Wagstaff, Perth Wildcats
 * Best Defensive Player: Dillon Boucher, New Zealand Breakers
 * Best Sixth Man: Erron Maxey, Gold Coast Blaze
 * Most Improved Player: Anthony Petrie, Gold Coast Blaze
 * Coach of the Year: Gordie McLeod, Wollongong Hawks
 * Finals MVP: Kevin Lisch, Perth Wildcats
 * All-NBL First Team:
 * Corey Williams – Townsville Crocodiles
 * Kirk Penney – New Zealand Breakers
 * Tywain McKee – Wollongong Hawks
 * Mark Worthington – Melbourne Tigers
 * Shawn Redhage – Perth Wildcats
 * All-NBL Second Team:
 * Adam Ballinger – Adelaide 36ers
 * C. J. Bruton – New Zealand Breakers
 * Anthony Petrie – Gold Coast Blaze
 * Adam Gibson – Gold Coast Blaze
 * Ayinde Ubaka – Gold Coast Blaze
 * All-NBL Third Team:
 * Julius Hodge – Melbourne Tigers
 * Glen Saville – Wollongong Hawks
 * John Gilchrist – Adelaide 36ers
 * Cameron Tragardh – Wollongong Hawks
 * Larry Davidson – Wollongong Hawks