NBL Rule Shake-Up: Own Goals Will Now Count Towards Opponent’s Stats

Just days before the postseason tips off, the NBL has announced a major rules update that could have ripple effects across the league: own goals will now officially be credited as points to the nearest opposing player.

Previously, own goals were treated as neutral scoring errors, hurting the team’s score line but not benefiting an opposing player’s individual stat line. That loophole has now been closed. The change comes after mounting controversy in Season 2, highlighted by incidents like Whittyquipo’s double own goal against Beef Negative, which had fans and players alike calling for accountability in the stat sheet. By linking own goals to an opposing player, the league ensures that defenders will think twice before sloppy clears, while attackers will now be rewarded for creating enough pressure to force mistakes.

Why Now?

League officials explained that as the NBL has grown, individual player stats have become central to award races, power rankings, and historical comparisons. An untracked own goal was creating gaps in the record books and leaving questions about how much impact a player really had on a game.

Playoff Implications

This decision comes at a critical moment. With seeding battles still fresh and legacy-defining playoff runs ahead, every block, every save, and now every own goal will weigh heavier than ever before. Fans are already speculating which players will be most affected—whether it benefits sharpshooters like ACN, opportunists like Lil Nee, or grinders like Mr. Bush. As the postseason looms, the message is clear: mistakes will no longer vanish quietly, they’ll follow you on the stat sheet.