Much more than hours of competition were offered to young mob who convened at Monash University's Clayton campus for the UniSport's Indigenous Nationals last week.

Since its beginnings at Newcastle University's Wollotuka School for Aboriginal Studies in 1996, the games have grown to host more than 500 First Nations students from all across the country.

In Naarm, 33 universities were represented their schools in Basketball, Netball, Touch Rugby and Volleyball.

In a huge upset, 26th ranked Charles Darwin University knocked off the third-ranked University of Sydney in the basketball final on Tuesday.

Kalkadoon CDU student Herbert Valentine said the team initially looked to have some fun and take a relaxed approach to games, until things changed.

"We came here being student athletes and we thought we weren't going to take it too seriously - just represent the NT well, but I guess when we got on the court everybody's competitive drive and wanting to be deadly came out," he said.

"We had a couple of guns on our team. It was awesome playing and representing the NT and representing a family and representing Indigenous sports and then it promotes not just health through sports it promotes…networking and business and love."

After getting the better of last year's champs University of Newcastle, Dharawal woman Hayley Creed, Waka Waka woman Amy Bird and Jabirr Jabirr woman Taérani Gorogo form Australian Catholic University's touch football side reflected on the win with their friends who were mostly strangers a week earlier.

ACU has seven campuses around Australia, bringing together athletes from all over.

"We met on Sunday so we've come together as mob really well," Ms Creed said.

Ms Bird said she was gobsmacked after the seesawing contest.

"This team has come together like nothing I've ever experienced. That win was honestly just us being gelled, just working for each other entirely. It was insane. I can't believe it. I'm gobsmacked," Ms Bird said.

"We're from all over the place.

"They fly us all in together. So some of us know each other. Some of us don't…We've got so many new people.

"They say you make lifelong friends, And they weren't lying. It's crazy."

Monash pro vice chancellor and Noongar man Tristan Kennedy said the Nationals transformed Monash's campus.

The events included a players' hub, Koori market and social evenings - including a performance from Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum.

"That's something that all these players, these athletes, these community members are going to remember all their life," he said.

"It's a pivotal moment in their careers. As athletes, they're building these connections that are going to last a lifetime.

"It's not just a couple of banners or a market marquee or something. It's you know, they've really integrated the artwork and the whole sort of spirit of the Nationals into the campus.

"This has had a real impact on everyone at the university."

Monash Sports director Brett Lavale said the "buzz" has been a joy to host.

While rapt to see Monash take out the netball, after finishing second placed at the Queensland University of Technology in 2022, he said the larger success is how the week rolled out.

"We're fortunate that we can host the four sports all at the one location which I think's made a really big difference," he said.

"Just walking into the athletes lounge over the last few days and seeing athletes from different universities connecting and the whole social buzz and vibe of the three days has been awesome.

"Even after each of the games, seeing both teams come together and take a team photo which sort of wasn't planned. The teams have just done that and the sportsmanship has been really outstanding."

Yorta Yorta-Boon Wurrung man and director of Monash University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, learning and engagement hub the William Cooper Institute Jamil Tye said the Nationals presented a cultural opportunity for the students and staff alike.

"To see there are 500 mob here is pretty amazing. I didn't think that would be something I'd see in my affiliation with Monash.

"We're all really distinct in our cultures so it's good to learn a little bit more about other cultures from across Australia."

Following the games, Monash were handed the Spirit Award to the institution who best displays the values of the Indigenous Nationals, as voted by team managers and UniSport event staff.

The University of Newcastle's Bailey Carney, one of two recipients of the $5000 scholarships presented by major sponsor BP, said it will be a big help to the usual uni headaches like "transport, resources books and textbooks".

"It was pretty amazing," he said.

On Friday, the University of Queensland closed out the competitive side of affairs with a win over Griffith University in the volleyball final.

UQ were crowned the Indigenous Nationals' overall champions.