BIO: Pat Reidy was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Cobourg basketball program. Reidy received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1988. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1988, 1989).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Pat Reidy made his NBL debut with the North Melbourne Giants at 19 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.

The Giants lost a number of key players after winning the 1989 Grand Final, which resulted in head coach Bruce Palmer furiously recruiting new talent instead of devising ways to defend their championship.

Former Indiana Hoosier Joe Hillman was signed as a replacement for Dillon, naturalised import Dwayne Nelson who had spent the past five seasons with Adelaide filled the role of Exum and young Australian Institute of Sport product, 19-year-old Pat Reidy was added to fill out the team’s main roster.

Despite the roster overhaul, the Giants blazed a trail through NBL opponents, winning their first eight games in a row. Scott Fisher (31.4 points, 12 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals) led the team in points and rebounds, finished second on the team in assists and steals and shot 55% from the field to deliver one of the greatest statistical season in NBL history.

Hillman added 22.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.3 steals while Reidy also contributed 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.

The team finished the season in first place on the ladder, winning 20 from 26 games. The Giants and the Eastside Melbourne Spectres (who finished first and second) would earn a bye and face the winners of the elimination finals which saw Perth defeat Melbourne in two games and Brisbane, rebound from a game one loss to eliminate Sydney in three games. In surprising fashion, fifth placed Perth would eliminate North Melbourne in the semifinals (2-1) and third placed Brisbane defeated Eastside in two games. Perth would go on to become eventual champions, defeating Brisbane in three games to capturing their first NBL title.

1991
The North Melbourne Giants had lost star forward Tim Dillon after their 1989 championship and had failed to find a suitable replacement. For the 1991 season the team added Yale University grad Paul Maley who had played the previous season with the South Melbourne Saints. Reidy would average 14.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists alongside stars Fisher (30.3 points, 12 rebounds) and Maley (27.6 points, 10.2 rebounds) and help lead the Giants to a second place finish for the season. After eliminating the Geelong Supercats in the elimination finals in three games the Giants were defeated in the semifinals by rival club Eastside Melbourne Spectres.

1992
In 1992, Reidy would average 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists alongside stars Fisher (27.1 points and 11.3 rebounds) and Maley (21.9 points and 9.9 rebounds) who would again led the Giants to the postseason with a fourth place finish (14 wins, 10 losses). The Giants would then eliminate the Illawarra Hawks in the Quarterfinals before being outed by the South East Melbourne Magic, who had re-branded from the Spectres at the start of the season, in their semi-final matchup.

1993
In 1993, the Giants chose not to re-sign long term head coach Bruce Palmer who since taking over in 1987 had led them to the semi finals five of six years and to the 1989 championship. His successor would be found in young Melbourne Tigers assistant Brett Brown whose appointment was deemed a cash saving move by a team beginning to face years of financial uncertainty. Another sign of the Giant’s financial struggles became evident when they lost star import Scott Fisher to the ‘deeper pockets’ of the Perth Wildcats.

Brown began his search for Fisher’s replacement first with import Chuckie White, who failed to cut it during pre-season, before settling on Jason Reese. Reese was known around the league as ‘workhorse’ and dominant inside scorer that had spent the past two seasons with Hobart (1991) and Canberra (1992) and Mark Leader, who had became a naturalised Australian in 1993, replaced Fisher as team captain.

Reese went on to lead the team in scoring (26.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg), fellow import Paul Maley led the team in rebounding (22.5 ppg and 9.1 rpg) and Reidy also contributed 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

North Melbourne finished the season (13-13) sneaking into the final playoff spot. There, they would face familiar foes, Scott Fisher and the Perth Wildcats who had finished the season in first place (21-5). Despite winning game one at home (105-101), the Giants would lose games two (98-108) and three (104-117) to Perth to put a end to their season.

1994 – ONE GIANT LEAP
North Melbourne’s financial struggles publicly came to light after 1993, but a group of new investors saved the team at the eleventh hour from its burgeoning financial woes. The new ownership made a number of changes, including a uniform design change, tossing away the team’s maroon uniforms and switching to the colours of the NBA’s most marketable outfit, the Charlotte Hornets.

The Giants’ roster had aged considerably in the years between its 1989 championship and 1994, with its roster now being the oldest roster in the league.

With team stalwart Mark Leader eligible to play as a local in 1994, the Giants were able to sign a new import for 1994, but many were surprised when the team added a 30-year-old point guard Darryl McDonald to the roster. The media and betting agencies tipped the Giants to finish at the bottom of the ladder. The pundits couldn’t be more inaccurate, however, with the team McDonald leading the league in steals and assists and finishing second in both the NBL MVP (behind Andrew Gaze) and Best Defensive Player (Darren Lucas) awards.

Giants fans began to get excited when the Giants came home undefeated after the ‘Doomsday Double’, first avenging a home loss to Perth then holding off Adelaide at the Clipsal Powerhouse, a feat which hadn’t been achieved since 1986. The new-look outfit would go on to win 19 of their 26 games and finish the year in second place. Pat Reidy (19.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3.4) and Paul Maley (19.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg) would carry most of the offensive load.

Once into the NBL playoffs, the Giants faced the Sydney Kings, who opened the Quarterfinalswith a absolute blitz of the Giants (131–109) before falling in three games. On the other side of the bracket, South East Melbourne swept Perth before being swept in a similar fashion by the Giants after a Adonis Jordan three-point heave (he could have found a open David Graham for a better shot but missed him) in the game’s closing moments missed its mark and the chance to force a third game.

Game one of the Grand Final series was held at the Clipsal Powerhouse in Adelaide and after Robert Rose had dragged the Sixers back into the match when they still had trailed by 14 inside the last six minutes of regulation the ball ended up in McDonald’s hands before he nailed the game-winning shot in overtime, delivering a 95–93 win.

As the series moved to the Glasshouse in Melbourne for game two Rose would come out firing, his 31 point effort would see him finish as the game’s high scoring. Still, a balanced attack from North Melbourne proved too strong for the 36ers. The Giants would control the first half, the scoreboard reading 51-41 at halftime and with 36ers forward Mark Davis in serious pain, the Giants were able to put the foot down in the third quarter and then closed out the game with a 117-97 victory.

Paul Rees, who benefitted greatly from McDonald’s passing all series, finished up earning the Finals MVP award after delivering 17 points and 5 rebounds in game one and 20 points (making all seven of his shots) and 7 rebounds in game two.

The 1994 NBL season made history bypassed the one-million spectator mark during the regular season for the first time.

1995
In 1995 Reidy averaged 20.7 points and 7.9 rebounds, and helped guide the Giants to a second place finish in the regular season (18-8).

1996
The Giants would return almost their entire roster in 1996 as the team looked to go one step further after finishing runners-up in 1995. The only roster changes being the addition of Tonny Jensen, a member of the Australian Boomers, who would replace the retiring Mark Leader and a returning Paul Maley would replace import Chris Jent after he delivered one of the greatest one and done seasons in NBL history.

Pat Reidy would lead the team in scoring, averaging 20.8 points as well as 6.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, while McDonald would deliver another stellar season, putting up 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and a league leading 10 assists per game in a extremely close season, where only two games seperated third place and eight place. The Giants finished with a 15-11 record and in seventh place finish on the NBL ladder.

North Melbourne would face crosstown rivals South East Melbourne who would make quick work of the Giants behind a season high 19 points from Andrew Parkinson in game one, a 82-96 loss and a 25 point effort from Tony Ronaldson in game two, which resulted in a 77-87 defeat and the end to the Giants season.

At seasons end McDonald would again be named to the All-NBL First team.

1997
In 1997, the Giants were beginning to feel the pinch financially and struggling to retain talent. He would lose the services of forwards Tonny Jensen (via Newcastle) and Paul Maley (again due to crippling back problems) However, due to the demise of team’s in Gold Coast and Hobart, he would benefit by making some key free agent signings. Import Mike Mitchell and young gun David Stiff, both looking for new NBL homes, joined the team as Coach Brett Browncleverly tried to make the most of his team budget by playing the entire season with the league minimum of 11 players.

Another setback that hurt the Giants was when Paul Rees suffered a severe knee injury that kept him out for the majority of the season, only to then see him return and break his wrist against the Bullets in the second last round of the season. Behind star import Darryl McDonald (17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 8.9 assists) and leading scorer Pat Reidy (20.2 points and 5.7 rebounds), they had enough talent to keep the Giants’ competitive as the team finished the year in third place, behind a 18-12 record.

Starting centre Paul Rees was able to return for the playoffs, his presence making a huge difference as the Giants handily defeated the Canberra Cannons (2-1) in the Elimination Finals.

The Giants were eliminated in the next round by the extremely talented Melbourne Tigers (0-2), who went on to win the NBL championship.

1998
With the Giants again facing financial difficulties, the team struggled to remain competitive in 1998 and after finishing the season with a record of 9 wins and 21 losses, North Melbourne merged with the South East Melbourne Magic. Reidy would average 17.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists during the North Melbourne Giants’ last season.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS
1998/99
During the 1998/99 season, Reidy averaged 17.8 points and 5.2 rebounds, helping the Falcons record a 9-17 record.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
1999/00
Key exits reshaped Townsville’s wings and depth: James Harper departed, while veterans Simon Kerle (to Brisbane), Jason Cameron (to Brisbane) and Michael Pennisi (to Philippines) moved on. Back came the core scorers who’d averaged above 4 points per game in 1998/99—Robert Rose, Sam Mackinnon, Andrew Goodwin, Brad Davidson and David Pennisi—giving second-year coach Ian Stacker a sturdy base. Stacker reloaded with Mike Kelly (via Victoria), Ben Knight (via Sydney) and, Australian Boomers forward Pat Reidy (via Newcastle).

The season opened in Melbourne with a 95–106 loss to the Victoria Titans. Reidy (8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals) began the season quietly, while the duo of Rose (29 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists; 14-of-15 FT) and Goodwin (19 points, 6 rebounds) went shot for shot against Victoria’s Jason Smith (29 points, 7 rebounds) and Darryl McDonald (19 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists).

A week later the Crocs corrected course by beating Wollongong 99–88. Rose (17 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 3 steals) delivering a near triple-double, while Reidy (21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) headlined a balanced scoring attack, with Kelly (19 points, 4 rebounds) and Goodwin added (18 points, 4 rebounds) also having solid games. The Hawks were led by Melvin Thomas (21 points, 10 rebounds).

Momentum snowballed: a 123–81 demolition of Perth in Cairns, a 98–88 win at Sydney, and a 103–75 rout in Cairns led into a 131–127 classic over Adelaide where Goodwin (40 points, 15 rebounds) unleashed a season high. Kelly (24 points, 7 rebounds) and Reidy (23 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; 6-of-7 FT) also having big scoring nights in the shootout against Brett Maher (40 points, 3 rebounds) and Martin Cattalini (27 points, 10 rebounds).

By early December the Crocs had dipped to 4–6, then reset with a crisp 108–90 over Wollongong. In this game, Mackinnon (22 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists) produced a triple-double, Brad Davidson (19 points) was hot off the bench and Reidy (15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block; 5-of-6 FT) delivered another solid game. Bruton (24 points, 3 rebounds) and Thomas (23 points, 11 rebounds) were best for the Hawks.

Through the holidays Townsville hardened into a contender—116–82 over Cairns, 108–90 over Wollongong and back-to-back wins over Canberra (117–88, 128–101)—before closing the calendar year by crushing Brisbane 103–78, with Rose (14 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) posting a triple-double.

January and February showcased Reidy’s best stretch. He was pivotal in a 102–97 win over Melbourne and then produced his season high (28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) in a 102–95 victory against West Sydney. Townsville kept things rolling—121–98 at Canberra; then into February with a 78–94 stumble versus Perth followed by a 122–73 avalanche over Brisbane—before banking statement road wins over the Giants (81–74) and at Wollongong (114–98).

The Crocodiles ripped off a seven-game surge and finished with the best record in club history, 22–6 (11–3 home, 11–3 away), securing second place and a first-round bye. Stacker was named NBL Coach of the Year. The attack was led by Andrew Goodwin (18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals; NBL Most Improved and All-NBL Second Team) and Sam Mackinnon (17.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.1 blocks; All-NBL First Team). Rose (17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals), along with MacKinnon, were named co-winners of the club MVP. New faces Kelly (16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists; league-best 43.9% 3PT), Reidy (14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists) and Knight (8.5 points, 4.4 rebounds) all made an impact in their first season, Knight also earning the league’s Best Sixth Man award.

Townsville would meet Perth in game one, losing 101–104. Kelly (29 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists) caught fire, Mackinnon (16 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) authored a playoff triple-double and Reidy (16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists). The Wildcats were led by Ricky Grace (24 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists) and Marcus Timmons (20 points, 5 rebounds).

For Game two, the series moved to Queensland, where the Crocodile’s levelled the series, 101–78. Mackinnon (23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) and Reidy (22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) led the team in scoring, with Rose (21 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists) finishing a whisker from another triple-double.

Game three swung back Perth’s way, despite Rose (33 points, 8 assists, 4 steals) equalling his season high points tally in the 84-104 loss. Reidy (8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) produced a quiet game as the Wildcats’ core closed it out—Grace (21 points, 11 assists), Anthony Stewart (21 points, 2 rebounds), Rogers (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Andrew Vlahov (15 points, 17 rebounds).

2000/01
Ian Stacker returned with the core group that had delivered Townsville’s first playoff appearance, retaining Robert Rose, Sam Mackinnon, Pat Reidy, Mike Kelly, Andrew Goodwin, Brad Davidson, Peter Crawford and David Pennisi, with the only notable departure Ben Knight (to Cairns), who was replaced with import Dujuan Wiley.

Townsville opened the season with a statement win over Queensland rivals Cairns at home (120–85).

Sam Mackinnon (35 points and 10 rebounds) led the team in scoring alongside Andrew Goodwin (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals), Robert Rose (13 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists) flirted with a triple-double and Pat Reidy (13 points, and 4 rebounds) was also active at both ends.

The wins continued with the team pulling out a 4–1 start to the season, before a string of losses at Adelaide (105–121) and Perth (108–121) and a Victoria double defeat left Townsville 5–4. Pat Reidy (23 points, and 12 rebounds) recording one of his better games during the Adelaide loss.

Shortly after, severe bone bruising saw Sam MacKinnon (17.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.1 blocks across 16 games) shut down for the rest of the season. The injury to MacKinnon prompted the released of underperforming Wiley (7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks) who was replaced with David Hinton (9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds) in February.

Hinton’s arrival sparked an eleven game win streak for the Crocs, highlighted by a 126–63 demolition of Brisbane in Round 22—one of the largest margins in NBL history—where Goodwin (22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals) led the team in scoring, while Rose (18 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists) recorded a triple-double and Kelly (8 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds) almost achieved the same feat in the same game. Reidy (18 points), Brad Davidson (18 points and 7 assists) were also key factors in the historic win.

Further key wins during the second half of the season included a A drubbing of Canberra (122–88), a nail biter over Sydney (126–123) and then a home rout of the Kings (138–107) in the final regular game of the season which saw the Crocodiles closed the regular season 22–6—best in club history to that point and equal-best in the league—finishing second on percentage behind the Victoria Titans and riding that eleven-game streak into the finals.

Other key games during the second half of the season included the Crocs win over Canberra (122–88) where Reidy (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) produced one of his best games for the season. Reidy (31 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) delivered a season high in a thrilling win at Sydney (126–123) shootout with Sydney before defeating them again convincingly at home (138–107) with Reidy (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) finishing with another solid game.

In the absence of MacKinnon, Rose (22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals), took his game to another level, making the All-NBL First Team while finishing fourth in both scoring and assists and fifth in free-throw percentage and winning the NBL Most Valuable Player award.

Reidy (17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists) also lifted his offensive game after MacKinnon’s injury and together with Mike Kelly (16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals), who ranked top-five in league three-point percentage became the team’s primary offence.

The Qualifying Finals opened in Sydney and went the Kings’ way 127–109 despite big games from Rose (28 points) and Reidy (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists).

Back at The Swamp two nights later, Townsville squared the series at 1–1 with a 121–113 win driven by Kelly (29 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists) Reidy (27 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), Rose (16 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists) and Brad Davidson (23 points, 6 assists).

The decider again in Townsville finished 122–114 to the Crocs with Rose (22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists), Goodwin (20-point, 10-rebound double-double) and Reidy (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) being too strong for Matthew Nielsen (28 points and 11 rebounds) and the Kings.

The Semi-Finals began in Melbourne, where Tony Ronaldson (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Darryl MacDonald (20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) led the Titans to a game one win (106–97). Rose (26 points), Kelly (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Reidy (16 points, and 3 rebounds) falling short in the opening game for the second straight series.

The return to The Swamp delivered a Townsville win (98–82) built around defense (Titans were held to 34% shooting) and efficient scoring from Goodwin (19 points and 11 rebounds), Rose (19 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists) and Reidy (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists).

Two nights later the Crocs sealed their first-ever Grand Final berth (101–97) behind Goodwin (23 points and 4 rebounds), Rose (20 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists) and Reidy (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), who drilled a dagger three in the final minute. Titans’ guard Mark Dickel (33 points) kept Victoria within reach until the horn.

The Grand Final series then opened in Wollongong, the Croc’s losing game one for the third time in a row (101–104) despite a season high scoring night from Goodwin (29 points and 8 rebounds). A key factor in the loss was Rose (26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) being in foul trouble for most of the game and Hawks stars Melvin Thomas (24 points, 14 rebounds) and Mat Campbell (19 points) rarely making a mistake. Pat Reidy (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) also produced a solid game.

The response in Game Two at The Swamp was emphatic, a 114–97 victory where Goodwin (19 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals) imposed himself again, Rose (16 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists) delivered a rare playoff triple double, while Reidy (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Kelly (21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) also made an impact at both ends. Damon Lowery (25 points, 4-of-6 3PT) and Charles Thomas (20 points) led the visitors.

Less than 24 hours later the title decider was played where the Hawks’ (97–94) again came away victorious in a tightly fought game. Despite a monumental line from Rose (30 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals) and solid games from Kelly (21 points, 7 rebounds), and Goodwin (22 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals), who shot a perfect 7-of-7 at the stripe. Reidy (10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) battled brilliantly on the glass, but struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Hawks duo Charles Thomas (23 points) and Glen Saville (18 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals) made clutch plays whenever Townsville came too close, resulting in Wollongong becoming the first NBL champions from NSW.

2001/02
During the 2002 season, Reidy averaged 16.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3 assists and was a part of the Crocodiles squad, which finished in ninth place with a record of 13-17.

2002/03
Reidy averaged 19.6 points and 8 rebounds, and helped guide the Crocodiles to a third place finish during the 2002/03 season with a 19-11 record.

2003/04
the Crocodiles finished with a 13-20 record in 2003/04. Reidy averaged 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds.

2004/05
In 2004/05 Reidy averaged 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds, and helped guide the Crocodiles to a third place finish in the regular season with a 19-13 record.