NICKNAME/S: The Chicken Farmer

BIO: John Dorge also known as the “towering chicken farmer” having left his Darling Downs poultry farm at 22 years of age to try-out for the Bullets after coach Brian Kerle spotted the 209cm playing in a Gold Coast tournament.

NBL EXPERIENCE

John Dorge made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 22 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.

John Dorge began his NBL journey in 1985 with the Brisbane Bullets, under the leadership of head coach Brian Kerle. Entering the season hungry for redemption after a heartbreaking Grand Final loss to the Canberra Cannons in 1984, the Bullets retooled their roster, adding the legendary Cal Bruton and young big man John Dorge to an already talent-rich squad. With Kerle now in his second year at the helm, the Bullets produced a dominant regular season, finishing on top of the ladder with a 20–6 record.

The driving force behind Brisbane’s success was Leroy Loggins (27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks), who led the team across multiple categories and finished the season as the league leader in steals. His elite two-way play earned him All-NBL First Team honours.

Loggins wasn’t alone. The returning Cal Bruton (17.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) provided leadership and scoring punch, Ron Radliff (17.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals) added consistent outside shooting and playmaking, and team captain Larry Sengstock (16.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) anchored the frontcourt. Import Audie Matthews (16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals) also gave the Bullets another reliable weapon on both ends.

John Dorge (2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds) produced modest numbers as a rookie, but he saved his best performance for the postseason.

Brisbane received a first-round bye and faced Canberra in the semifinals after the Cannons eliminated Coburg by 23 points. In a rematch of the previous year’s Grand Final, the Bullets got their revenge with a 93–76 victory. Loggins led the way with 28 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, while Bruton added 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Dorge also stepped up with his best game of the season, contributing 9 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.

On the other side of the bracket, Adelaide crushed Newcastle 151–103 to set up a Grand Final showdown between two powerhouse clubs. It was the final time the NBL Grand Final would be decided in a single game. With the championship held at Brisbane’s Sleeman Sports Centre, the Bullets entered as favourites.

Leading 78–74 entering the final period, the Bullets outscored Adelaide 42–21 in the last quarter, setting a Grand Final record for most points scored in a final period and claiming a commanding 121–95 win to secure the club’s first NBL championship.

Dorge (2 points and 6 rebounds) again played a vital role, while Bruton finished (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Larry Sengstock (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Leroy Loggins (41 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) would lead Brisbane to their first NBL championship.

1986
The Brisbane Bullets entered the 1986 NBL season looking to defend their first-ever championship and took a major step forward in exposure and professionalism by moving from the 2,700-seat Chandler Arena into the newly built 13,500-capacity Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

John Dorge (8.6 points and 5.6 rebounds) would double his scoring and rebounding output in his second NBL season, playing a key role for a Brisbane team that finished the regular season in second place behind the Adelaide 36ers—whom they had famously beaten in the previous year’s Grand Final.

The driving force behind Brisbane’s success once again was Leroy Loggins (29.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks), who delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in league history. He was again supported by Ron Radliff (16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals), Calvin Bruton (16.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals), and Larry Sengstock (12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks), forming a well-rounded and experienced core.

The 1986 NBL Grand Final series marked a historic shift for the league, with the championship expanded from a one-game playoff to a best-of-three format—prompted by the high-profile nature of the rematch between Brisbane and Adelaide.

Game 1 was held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in front of a then-record Australian indoor crowd of over 11,000 fans, including international cricketers Greg Chappell and Ian Botham. The Bullets held strong through most of the contest, but after both Leroy Loggins and Larry Sengstock fouled out in the fourth quarter, the 36ers capitalised and claimed a 122–119 overtime win.

Game 2 moved to Adelaide’s Apollo Stadium, where the 36ers had gone 14–0 during the regular season. Brisbane shocked the home crowd with a dominant 104–83 win, handing Adelaide their first loss at home all year and forcing a deciding Game 3.

Game 3, also played in Adelaide, turned when Loggins fouled out in the third quarter. Without their superstar, Brisbane couldn’t keep pace. The 36ers pulled away to win the championship decider 113–91, reversing the result of the 1985 Grand Final and ending the Bullets’ bid for back-to-back titles.

Other contributors throughout the season included David Nelson (9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists), Danny Morseu (6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists), Chris McGraw (4.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), and Robert Sibley (5.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists), adding valuable depth to a strong Brisbane rotation that once again reached the league’s biggest stage.

1987
In 1987, Dorge played a major role in Brisbane finishing the regular season in second place behind Adelaide, averaging 11.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Due to finishing in the top two during the regular season Brisbane received a first round bye in the 1987 playoffs, where they would face the winner of the Illawarra Hawks / North Melbourne Giants elimination finals series. After the Hawks defeated the Giants 105-97, the Bullets would win game one (109-87), lose game two in a nail-biter (77-78) before earning a spot in the 1987 NBL Grand Final after winning game three 100-82.

The Bullets, who were making their fourth consecutive grand final appearance, would face the Perth Wildcats who had upset the defending champion 36ers in their three-game semi-final series.

Dorge played 21 minutes in the first game and added 5 points and 5 rebounds in the first game as the Bullets took game one in Perth by a single point, 80-79.

Game 2 came much more easily to the Bullets who after a tight first half (47-44) destroyed the Wildcat’s in the second half, outscoring them by 16 points. With Brisbane safely holding onto a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, Dorge saw 20 minutes of action in game two and contributed 7 points and 10 rebounds in the deciding game.

1988
The Bullets entered 1988 looking to defend their championship and secure a third title in four years. With head coach Brian Kerle at the helm, the team retained the core of its 1987 championship roster. The only offseason changes came on the bench, with James Carr and Paul Webb departing and being replaced by two rookies—17-year-old Shane Heal and Simon Kerle.

John Dorge (7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.3 assists) appeared in 25 games during the 1988 season, continuing to provide size, toughness, and rim protection in Brisbane’s frontcourt. While his offensive role remained limited, his presence was a key part of the Bullets’ interior defense and physicality in the paint.

Brisbane remained one of the league’s top contenders throughout the regular season and held second place with just two rounds remaining. However, a costly 97–105 home loss to Canberra dropped them into a tie with the North Melbourne Giants at 18–6. With the head-to-head split at 1–1, the Giants claimed second place on for-and-against (+9), relegating the Bullets to third.

The team was once again led by Leroy Loggins (24.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals), who was named to the All-NBL First Team for the seventh consecutive year and led the league in free throw percentage at 85.6%. Import Emery Atkinson (16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks) provided a strong two-way presence in the frontcourt, while veterans Larry Sengstock (11.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals) added stability and experience.

One of the highlights of the season was the emergence of 17-year-old rookie Shane Heal (15.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists), who quickly made a name for himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents. Playing 27 minutes per game and backing up starting point guard Darren Perry (6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals), Heal won the NBL Rookie of the Year award with ease.

Brisbane’s third-place finish meant they missed out on a direct path to the semi-finals and were instead forced into a sudden-death quarterfinal against the sixth-seeded Perth Wildcats. Playing at home at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Bullets entered as strong favourites.

Leroy Loggins (31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals) while playing 45 minutes, Larry Sengstock (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Emery Atkinson (12 points and 8 rebounds) did their best inside, and John Dorge (6 points and 3 rebounds) made an impact in just 10 minutes of action.

Despite those efforts, Brisbane struggled from the perimeter, hitting just 2-of-16 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Perth shot a blistering 52% from the field, led by former Bullets champion Calvin Bruton, who torched his old team with 31 points, 4 assists, and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. James Crawford (26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks) dominated the paint and disrupted Brisbane’s interior attack, as the Wildcats handed the Bullets a 98–113 loss that ended their season and denied them a fifth straight Grand Final appearance.

1989
Brisbane entered the 1989 NBL season facing significant change after losing two of their top three scorers from the previous year—rising star Shane Heal (to Geelong) and import Emery Atkinson (to Canberra). In response, the club brought in American forwards Winston Crite and Greg Giddings to help carry the scoring load and provide a physical presence in the paint.

John Dorge (8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) continued to improve his production for the fifth consecutive season and remained a reliable contributor in the frontcourt.

Leroy Loggins (22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks) once again led by example and finished as the team’s top scorer and defender. However, for the first time since 1981, he was not selected to the All-NBL First Team—likely a reflection of the team’s underwhelming record. New import Winston Crite (20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) delivered strong individual numbers but failed to form the same one-two punch with Loggins that previous imports had.

Veterans Larry Sengstock (12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals) continued to play important roles, though both were showing signs of decline as their output began to taper off.

Meanwhile, Robert Sibley (15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) made a notable leap in production, emerging as a dependable frontcourt contributor after averaging 8.6 points the previous season. His expanded role gave Brisbane a much-needed secondary scoring option.

Despite several strong individual campaigns, the Bullets couldn’t rediscover the chemistry or depth that had made them a dominant force throughout the 1980s. Brisbane finished the regular season in eighth place with an 11–13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983.

GEELONG SUPERCATS
1990
John Dorge joined the Geelong Supercats ahead of the 1990 NBL season after five years with the Brisbane Bullets, becoming a key piece of a major roster overhaul led by head coach Barry Barnes. The Supercats were desperate to reverse their recent struggles and added Dorge to a revamped frontcourt that also included Vince Hinchen (via Westside Melbourne) and import Brian Vaughns (replacing Aubrey Sherrod).

Dorge (15.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.6 blocks) delivered one of the best seasons of his career, averaging a double-double and establishing himself as the Supercats’ interior anchor on both ends of the floor. His shot-blocking and rebounding gave Geelong a much-needed defensive presence, and he remained a consistent contributor in a lineup dominated by high-octane guards.

Geelong’s season began poorly, with the team dropping its first four games despite solid numbers from Vaughns (17.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks). Vaughns was quickly released, paving the way for explosive guard Bobby Locke to join the roster. Locke lit up the Wollongong Hawks for 50 points in one of the most memorable NBL debuts in league history and injected new life into the struggling side.

With Locke (31.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals) leading the scoring load, and 19-year-old Shane Heal (22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.7 steals) having a breakout campaign that earned him the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, the Supercats began to show glimpses of their potential. Daren Rowe (18.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 3.2 blocks) led the league in blocks and gave Geelong valuable two-way production, while Dorge quietly remained a pillar in the frontcourt throughout the highs and lows.

Although the team continued to battle inconsistency, they ultimately secured 11 wins—more than they had managed in the previous two seasons combined. Geelong finished the regular season in 10th place with an 11–15 record, falling short of the playoffs but taking a clear step forward in their development. Dorge’s veteran leadership and elite interior play proved crucial in stabilising a new-look roster and helping set the foundation for future success.

1991
Having won just 16 games across the previous three seasons, the 1991 Geelong Supercats entered the NBL season with modest expectations. But thanks to a talented starting five, a revamped team culture, and a key financial boost from a local ownership group of four major stakeholders and around 30 shareholders, the Supercats turned into one of the league’s biggest surprises—finishing with a 17–9 record and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1984.

There were key roster changes before the season began. Import forward Daren Rowe departed the club and was replaced by Terry Dozier, a long and athletic defender who would go on to win the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award. Young wing Andrew Parkinson also exited (to Southern Melbourne), opening the door for rookie Leigh Cleary to join the bench rotation.

Geelong’s 1991 campaign began how most predicted, with a rough 0–3 start following losses to North Melbourne (109–112), Eastside Spectres (100–119), and Perth (105–110). But the Supercats broke through with a road win over Brisbane (126–106), sparking a stunning turnaround that saw them win 16 of their remaining 22 games.

Led by head coach Barry Barnes, Geelong’s starters logged heavy minutes and delivered elite production across the board. Bobby Locke (25.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 3.0 steals) led the NBL in steals and ranked among the league’s top scorers in his first full season. Vince Hinchen (24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists) and Shane Heal (23.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists) gave the team dynamic offensive firepower in the backcourt, while Terry Dozier (22.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) anchored the defence and added scoring versatility. Inside, John Dorge (14.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks) dominated the paint and led the NBL in blocked shots.

All five starters averaged over 33 minutes per game, with Jim Bateman (7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) providing steady contributions off the bench. Bruce Hultgren, Leigh Cleary, Mark Griffin, and Shane Crothers rounded out the supporting cast, helping to balance out a tight rotation built around defense and cohesion.

The Supercats’ 17–9 finish tied them with Eastside for second place, but the NBL’s head-to-head tiebreaker rule pushed Geelong down to third. Though both teams split their two meetings 1–1, the Spectres had a +1 point differential across those games, handing them the higher seed.

Once into the playoffs, Geelong would face North Melbourne in Game 1 at home, where the Supercats put on a clinic. Shane Heal exploded for 36 points, 11 assists, and nine triples, while Vince Hinchen added 31 points and Terry Dozier chipped in 17 points and 13 rebounds. John Dorge added 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds, and six blocks in one of his best performances of the year. Geelong shot 57% from the field and overwhelmed the Giants 139–119 in a complete team effort that set the tone for the series.

North Melbourne regrouped and evened the series with a 136–116 win at home in Game 2, forcing a decisive third game back in Geelong. In Game 3, the Supercats fought hard but were ultimately overpowered by the Giants 125–113. Despite solid efforts from Locke (31 points), Heal (27 points), and Hinchen (23 points), Geelong had no answers for the interior strength of Paul Maley (24 points, 12 rebounds) or the elite shot-making of Scott Fisher (30 points on 14-of-20 shooting). Dorge also contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in the final game of the season.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE MAGIC
1992
At the end of 1991, the South Melbourne Saints were in financial crisis and unable to continue operations. In a landmark move, they merged with cross-town rivals the Eastside Melbourne Spectres to form a new NBL franchise: the South East Melbourne Magic. With the Spectres having come within one game of a championship the previous season, head coach Brian Goorjian was retained to lead the newly formed club. Only two Saints players were carried over—Andrew Parkinson and Andrej Lemanis—joining a proven Spectres core that included Bruce Bolden, Tony Ronaldson, Darren Lucas, Scott Ninnis, and Darren Perry.

To finalise the Magic’s inaugural roster, import Milt Newton was recruited alongside John Dorge, who arrived from Geelong after leading the NBL in blocked shots in 1991. The 7-foot centre brought size, defensive intensity, and a proven interior presence to an already physical lineup. Dorge (12.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks) led the league in blocked shots for the second straight year and quickly established himself as a defensive anchor under Goorjian’s disciplined system.

With Dorge patrolling the paint and forming a powerful frontcourt tandem with Bruce Bolden, the Magic opened the 1992 season in imposing fashion—winning six of their first seven games. While Newton (15.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals) was productive early, the team made a bold move mid-season by releasing him and signing former LA Clippers guard Rob Rose. From that point on, the Magic surged to a 20–4 regular season record and remained unbeaten at home (12–0). Goorjian earned NBL Coach of the Year honours, and the Magic entered the playoffs as the top seed, with Dorge’s rim protection, rebounding, and physicality pivotal to the team’s success on both ends of the floor.

🏀 THROWBACK THURSDAY 💫

Did you believe in Magic? How could you not with this old tune! Before the days of @SEMelbPhoenix we had the South East Melbourne Magic. Do you remember how many NBL Championships Magic had to their name? Read more – https://t.co/OezFZFpFDS #HoopsAtHome pic.twitter.com/mQfmy7kiG4— Basketball Victoria (@Basketball_Vic) April 16, 2020

In the playoffs, Dorge was a constant defensive force. He helped the Magic sweep both the Canberra Cannons and North Melbourne Giants to reach the Grand Final, where they would face the third-placed Melbourne Tigers, led by scoring machine Andrew Gaze (33.8 points per game) and athletic import Lanard Copeland (28.1 points).

In Game 1 of the Grand Final, South East Melbourne suffered a massive blow when starting point guard Darren Perry tore his ACL just 11 minutes into the match. The Tigers capitalised, running out 116–98 winners behind Copeland’s 34 points and Gaze’s 26. Dorge was solid in the loss, finishing with 13 points (6/12 FG), 12 rebounds (including five offensive), and a block in 25 minutes. His presence on the boards kept the Magic competitive, despite the backcourt setback.

Game 2 saw the Magic bounce back in dominant fashion. With Lucas stepping into the backcourt, and Scott Ninnis limiting Copeland to just 14 points, Dorge again played his role to perfection. He tallied 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, pulled down 8 rebounds, and added 2 blocks in 29 minutes. His interior play helped neutralise the Tigers’ frontcourt and gave the Magic a platform to even the series with a 115–93 victory.

The deciding Game 3 was one of the most intense in NBL history. The Magic brought suffocating defence, and Dorge’s rim protection played a vital role in containing the Tigers’ attack. He contributed 9 points (4/8 FG), 6 rebounds, and a massive 5 blocks in 24 minutes. His timing and presence at the rim helped limit Andrew Gaze to just 18 points on 5-of-19 shooting. As the Magic closed out a 95–88 win to clinch the championship, Dorge’s defensive mastery in the paint stood tall—literally and figuratively.

While Finals MVP honours went to Bruce Bolden, Dorge’s role in the Magic’s inaugural championship season was undeniable. He provided the backbone to a league-best defence, delivered consistent interior production, and played a key role in all three games of the Grand Final series. In one of the most dominant team debut seasons in Australian basketball history, John Dorge was the anchor in the middle—blocking shots, grabbing boards, and doing the gritty work that made “One Magic Year” possible.

1993
Returning to the South East Melbourne Magic for their championship defence, veteran centre John Dorge entered the 1993 NBL season as a key part of coach Brian Goorjian’s interior rotation. However, his campaign got off to a delayed start due to a leg injury that sidelined him for the first two months of the season. The Magic, who had retained most of their 1992 title-winning core—including Bruce Bolden, Robert Rose, Tony Ronaldson, Darren Lucas, and Andrew Parkinson—were forced to adjust early on, relying heavily on Bolden in the frontcourt during Dorge’s absence.

Dorge returned mid-season and ultimately featured in 14 games, providing size, rim protection, and veteran stability off the bench. He averaged 6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in limited minutes, often serving as the team’s primary shot blocker when on the floor. Though not the offensive focal point, his presence helped anchor the paint defensively and gave Bolden occasional respite from having to carry the entire load inside.

In the regular season, Dorge’s most impactful stretch came late in the year as he found rhythm and fitness. His ability to alter shots and box out opposing bigs was instrumental in bolstering South East Melbourne’s defensive efficiency. The Magic finished the regular season with a 20–6 record, good for second place on the NBL ladder, including a dominant 12–1 record at home. The team was led by standout seasons from Bolden (21.6 points, 12.6 rebounds), Ronaldson (20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds), and league MVP Robert Rose (18.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 3.0 steals).

The Magic cruised past Adelaide in the quarterfinals, defeating the 36ers in two straight games to set up a semi-final rematch with the Melbourne Tigers—a reprise of the 1992 Grand Final. In Game 1 of the semi-final series, Dorge struggled to assert himself, going scoreless (0-of-2 FG) in just over 11 minutes. He grabbed 3 rebounds and blocked 2 shots, but was outplayed by Boomers centre Mark Bradtke, who delivered a dominant 28-point, 15-rebound performance as the Tigers claimed an 89–72 win.

Dorge bounced back with a stronger showing in Game 2, contributing 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 12 minutes of action. He hit his only field goal attempt and was perfect from the line (4-of-4), providing an efficient presence off the bench as the Magic fought to extend their season. Despite his efforts and a well-rounded team performance—including 25 points from Rose, 19 from Lucas, and 14 points and 12 rebounds from Bolden—the Magic narrowly fell 108–106 in a high-scoring thriller. Lanard Copeland’s 32 points and Bradtke’s 21-point, 9-rebound night sealed the series sweep for Melbourne.

1993
After playing a key frontcourt role during South East Melbourne’s championship-winning inaugural season, John Dorge entered 1993 facing an uphill battle. The 6’11” centre was sidelined for the opening two months of the campaign with injury, delaying his return to a Magic squad looking to defend their NBL crown under head coach Brian Goorjian.

Once healthy, Dorge rejoined the rotation to provide valuable size, rim protection and experience. He averaged 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game across limited minutes, typically operating as a role-playing big behind Bolden and Ronaldson. With scorers across every position, Dorge focused on defence and physical presence in the post—both key to the Magic’s identity.

In the Magic’s 106–86 season-opening win over Canberra, Dorge did not play as he was still working his way back from injury. But by the time the playoffs arrived, he was once again part of the rotation. South East Melbourne cruised past the Adelaide 36ers in the quarterfinals, winning both games with ease to book a semi-final showdown against the resurgent Melbourne Tigers—a rematch of the 1992 Grand Final.

In Game 1 of the semi-final series, Dorge struggled to find his rhythm. He played just 11 minutes, going 0-of-2 from the field while pulling down 3 rebounds and blocking 2 shots. Opposite him, Boomers star Mark Bradtke was dominant, posting 28 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Tigers to an 89–72 win. The Magic, meanwhile, shot just 34% from the field and failed to match Melbourne’s interior strength.

Game 2 saw Dorge make a more efficient impact. In 12 minutes of action, he scored 6 points on a perfect 1-of-1 shooting clip and knocked down all four of his free throws. He added 3 rebounds and 2 blocks, providing a spark off the bench in a game that went down to the wire. Despite a massive performance from Rose (25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and Bolden (14 points, 12 rebounds), the Tigers escaped with a 108–106 win to sweep the series and end the Magic’s season.

Though injuries reduced his offensive opportunities, Dorge’s experience and rim protection were still valued during key stretches of the season.

1994
After losing to heated rivals, the Melbourne Tigers head coach Brian Goorjian decided the Magic needed to go younger and chose not to re-sign veteran guards, Darren Perry and Robert Rose, replacing them with younger talent. 18-year-old Sam MacKinnon and Rupert Sapwell, who had just returned from playing college basketball, were added to the roster, and Adonis Jordan, who had led the Kansas Jayhawks to the 1993 NCAA Final Four only six months prior, became the Magic’s sole import.

Jordan (19.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.6 steals) would lead the team in scoring and assists, alongside frontcourt duo Tony Ronaldson (19.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Bruce Bolden (16.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals) doing the damage inside. Dorge would also add 11.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks during the season and Sam MacKinnon (5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8) would also make a immediate impact, earning his way into the team’s regular rotation (19.2 minutes per game) and delivering one of the greatest seasons ever by a 18-year-old which made him a easy choice for the league’s Rookie Of The Year Award.

In a interesting nod to the future, due to injury the Magic replaced him with state league star Mike Kelly who would become a major part of the Magic roster in 1997.

South East Melbourne was unbeatable at home all season (11-2) butcould never replicate that on the road, losing half their away games and finishing third on the ladder (18-18).

In the postseason, South East swept Perth in two games to set up a semi-finals matchup against crosstown rival North Melbourne. The Giants delivered a major upset in game one, convincingly defeating the Magic (108-87). In game two, it was much closer. In fact, the game was only decided in the final minute (76-79), and if Adonis Jordan hadn’t missed a three-point heave at the buzzer (many thought he could have made a extra pass to a open David Graham for a better shot), the Magic might have been able to force a third game. Instead, the South East Melbourne’s season came to a end.

1995
Brian Goorjian’s youth movement continued in 1995. After moving on from star import Robert Rose the season prior, veteran big man Bruce Bolden would not be offered a chance to return (he would move on to sign with the Sydney Kings), with his replacement coming in the form of young 7-footer Chris Anstey from the Melbourne Tigers.

Anstey’s move to the Magic was one of huge controversy when Melbourne coach Lindsey Gaze appealed the signing via the NBL tribunal. The NBL decided that Anstey could not leave the Tigers and would have to play for Melbourne as long as the Tigers could match the contract, which they did.

After some extremely creative salary tweaking where Magic CEO Graham McNaney and Goorjian convinced all of the Magic players to sign for less so they could offer Anstey a larger contract (which also fit within the NBL salary cap) that the Tigers couldn’t match. Once Anstey had signed with the Magic, all of the team’s players were reinstated to their previous contracts.

After the Anstey deal was done, the Magic rounded out the roster by adding Nunawading junior Jason Smith, re-signing import Adonis Jordan and pairing him with Richard ‘Scooter’ Barry, son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry. Unfortunately, Barry (14.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals) didn’t quite make the impact in the NBL that his father had in the NBA and was shown the door after four games. Goorjian chose to elevate 23-year-old development player Shane Bright (0.3 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) for the remaining games instead of bringing in another import, aiming to give his young local core of MacKinnon, Anstey and Smith as much playing time as possible.

The Magic went on to finish second on the ladder (18-8), with Tony Ronaldson (21.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.0 steals) leading the team in scoring and Jordan (20.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.8 steals) leading the Magic in assists.

Additionally, 33-year-old big man Dorge (16.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 3.0 blocks) turned the clock back and delivered a breakout season, leading the league in blocked shots. Dorge’s improved play saw him selected to the All-NBL first team at the end of the season while backup guard Darren Lucas (9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals) took home the league’s Best Defensive Player award.

In the postseason, the Magic lost game one of their quarterfinal matchup with the Illawarra (108-113), then returned to Melbourne to win both games two (92-89) and three (93-75). Moving onto the semi-finals, South East Melbourne would face North Melbourne and saw their season end early thanks to losses in both games one (77-98) and game three (92-107).

1996
By 1996, Magic coach Brian Goorjian had succeeded in rebuilding his roster with young Aussie talent like Sam MacKinnon, Chris Anstey and Jason Smith, all under 21 years of age, key contributors on the team. In a move to create more opportunities for his young team, he replaced high-scoring import Adonis Jordan with pass-first point guard Billy McCaffrey (via Vanderbilt) and signed tenacious defender Mike Kelly who was one of the premier players in the state league competition and had a brief cameo with the Magic 1994. Rupert Sapwell was replaced by 18-year-old Frank Drmic, and Goorjian’s veteran core of Tony Ronaldson, John Dorge, Andrew Parkinson, and Darren Lucas returned, believing this was their year to go all the way.

Across the season, the Magic would deliver a balanced attack during the season, with six players all scoring in double figures. Tony Ronaldson would lead the team in scoring and assists, averaging 18.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists, with new import Billy McCaffrey, averaging 17.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and a equal team-leading 4.7 assists per game. 1996 was also a breakout year for Anstey, who saw his playing time double (from 9.6 minutes to 21.3 minutes) and rewarded Goorjian’s faith in the 21-year-old pivot.

Goorjian rotated the big men evenly in most games and the two pivots had highly effective seasons with Dorge averaging 12.4 points. 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in 27.1 minutes per game and Anstey averaging 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game which saw him earn the League Most Improved Player award at season’s end.

This season, the Magic were unstoppable at home, winning 11 from 13 games and finishing the regular season in second-place on the ladder (19 wins, 7 losses). The team’s weaknesses, however, seemed to come from its youthful inexperience and learning to win on the road. Case in point, the Magic managed only two away wins during the regular season against playoff team’s.

Once into the Playoffs, the Magic were able to get revenge on the North Melbourne Giants, who had ended their season in 1995. South East Melbourne defeated North Melbourne in game one (96-82), after shutting down Giants star point guard Darryl McDonald (11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 turnovers). Veteran Andrew Parkinson (19 points) came off the bench to lead the Magic in scoring, and import duo Billy McCaffrey (18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists) and Mike Kelly (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) delivered all-round efforts and a dominant Chris Anstey (12 points and 7 rebounds) created havoc inside.

In game two, John Dorge (14 points and 14 rebounds) shut down big man Paul Rees (10 points), who had led the Giants in scoring in the opening matchup (28 points). Tony Ronaldson (25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks) led the team in scoring, and Kelly (17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) was able to limit the impact from McDonald (17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists) once again to end the Giants season (87-77).

South East Melbourne would face Adelaide in their semi-final matchup, Ronaldson (20 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists) continued to carry the scoring load in game one, but thanks to 36ers athletic forward Leon Trimmingham (23 points and 9 rebounds), the Magic were unable to get it done in the game’s closing moments (86-87). In game two, Ronaldson (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) delivered a all-around performance, while the team’s young stars were the main driving force in the Magic’s game one win (112-81). MacKinnon (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Anstey (14 points and 6 rebounds) kept the scoreboard ticking over, but more importantly, they were able to limit Trimmingham (10 points) to a 3 from 12 shooting night. South East Melbourne and onto a Grand Final matchup with crosstown rival the Melbourne Tigers.

Melbourne was too good in game one (100-89), with Gaze (35 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) delivering his best game of the series in front of a packed Melbourne crowd. Mark Bradtke (24 points and 15 rebounds) and Lanard Copeland (23 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists) were also brilliant, scoring whenever Gaze didn’t, and the Tigers ‘Big Three’ combining for 82 points.

The Magic would then bounce back and win game two (88-84) in front of a Grand Final record crowd of 15,064 at the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park, which still stands as Melbourne’s highest-attended NBL game ever. Gaze (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists) led the Tigers in scoring in the loss, while the Magic were led by Tony Ronaldson (28 points) and Mike Kelly (19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals).

The third and deciding game was held less than 48 hours later, a scenario that benefited the younger legs of the Magic and allowed them to deliver the final blow (107-70). Billy McCaffrey (24 points and 5 assists) and the incredibly efficient performances from Sam MacKinnon (18 points and 9 rebounds), who shot 9/10 from the field, and John Dorge (16 points and 8 rebounds) who made 8 of his 11 shots saw South East Melbourne’s field goal percentage be the game’s deciding factor. The Tigers made only 23 of 60 shots (38%) compared to the Magic, hitting 46 of their 85 shots (54%) in the 30-point blowout.

The 1996 NBL Grand Final series drew a aggregate attendance record of 43,605 (average 14,535), the largest crowd ever for a three-game NBL series. Magic guard Mike Kelly was awarded the Finals MVP award after averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.3 steals across the three-game series.

A great Australian sporting rivalry!! pic.twitter.com/qVrlKwROkN

— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) March 21, 2023

1997
After winning the NBL championship in 1996, the South East Melbourne Magic retained the core of their roster for the 1997 season. The only significant changes were the addition of import guard Brian Tolbert to replace Billy McCaffrey, and the introduction of 18-year-old Frank Drmic (8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists) to take over the role of the retiring Darren Lucas. These changes were seamless, and under the continued leadership of head coach Brian Goorjian, the Magic recorded their best regular season in franchise history, finishing first on the NBL ladder with a 22–8 record.

The Magic’s strength came from their remarkable balance and depth. Five players averaged double-digit scoring, with only four points separating the team’s leading and fifth-leading scorer. Tony Ronaldson (16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists) was again a key leader, while Sam MacKinnon (15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists) and Chris Anstey (13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.6 steals) emerged as two of the brightest young stars in the league. Mike Kelly (12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals) anchored the perimeter defense and won his second consecutive NBL Best Defensive Player award, while veteran big man John Dorge (7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.5 blocks) added experience and interior toughness. Goorjian’s leadership was recognised with the NBL Coach of the Year honour.

Finishing first gave the Magic a bye into the semi-finals, where they met the fourth-placed Perth Wildcats, who had defeated Brisbane in the elimination finals. In Game One in Perth, Anstey dominated with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 steals, while Ronaldson added 18 points in a 92–82 win. Back in Melbourne for Game Two, the Magic turned up their defensive pressure, coasting to a 96–69 win behind 21 points from MacKinnon, securing another trip to the NBL Grand Final.

The Grand Final set up a highly anticipated rematch with cross-town rivals, the Melbourne Tigers. This Tigers squad, however, was on an all-time run. After a shaky 6–5 start to the season, the mid-year signing of import Marcus Timmons helped spark a 13-game win streak, which extended to 15 heading into the championship series. In Game One, the Tigers overwhelmed the Magic, winning 111–74 behind dominant efforts from Lanard Copeland (29 points), Timmons (24 points, 9 rebounds), and Andrew Gaze (23 points, 9 assists), while limiting Anstey to just 6 points.

Facing elimination, Goorjian responded by changing his game plan. Veteran centre John Dorge was inserted into the starting lineup to provide a more physical edge. The adjustment paid off. Anstey responded with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in Game Two, leading the Magic to a gritty 84–78 victory and ending the Tigers’ win streak at 17 games.

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For the second straight year, Melbourne and South East Melbourne would face off in a third game to decide the championship. Midway through the opening term of game three, the scores were tied, but after the Tigers frontcourt were able to limit Anstey (8 points) and pull out a offensive Tigers run in the second quarter, the game was all but over at half-time. The Tigers never looked back, claiming the team’s second NBL championship (93-83).

Ronaldson (26 points) led the Magic in scoring, while Copeland (26 points) was the top scorer for the victors. Copeland was named Finals MVP after averaging 27.6 points and 3.3 rebounds (56% shooting) over the three game series, yet it was blue-collar Tigers forward Warrick Giddey who the Melbourne Tigers deemed the deciding factor in the game three victory. Giddey recorded zero points, four rebounds, three assists and one block, and if you hadn’t seen the game, you’d probably question why he even bothered showing up. But Giddey delivered three crucial plays in the series’ closing moments that turned the tide. Firstly a hard foul on Sam MacKinnon, which broke the Magic star’s nose. The second was a huge block on Frank Drmic, and finally, a mid-court screen on Mike Kelly that came close to knocking him out of his shoes.

1998
After falling short in the grand final, South East Melbourne coach Brian Goorjian looked to rekindle some of the ‘Magic’and replace import guard Brian Tolbert with Billy McCaffrey, who led the Magic to the 1996 championship. Goorjian also blossoming big man Brett Wheeler (via Adelaide) to the squad as a replacement for the NBA departure of Chris Anstey.

The team would win their first six games in a row before a loss to Brisbane that also saw the team release McCaffrey (10.3 points and 2.9 assists) after realising he was not quite the same player as he was in 1996. Former NBA guard Clinton McDaniel (17.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 steals) would replace him and go on to lead the league in steals.

Tony Ronaldson (18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists) who had led the team in scoring since 1994 did so yet again, while 20-year-old Frank Drmic (14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds) had a breakout season, gaining interest from multiple NBA teams. Alongside Ronaldson, McDaniel and Drmic, Dorge would average 3.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists and the Magic would finished on top of the ladder, recording the third best regular season record of all-time (26-4). Only Adelaide in 1986 (24-2) and Geelong in 1984 (21-2) being able to top it. As a result, Brian Goorjian took home his third Coach of the Year award and Mike Kelly was named the defensive player of the year for the second straight season.

The Magic received a first-round bye thanks to finishing in first place, then faced off against Brisbane in the semi-finals.

The Magic would swiftly eliminate the Steve Woodberry led Bullets in two straight games to reach the NBL Grand Final for the third season in a row, this time going head to head with the Adelaide 36ers.

In game one of the Grand Final series, second seed Adelaide (19-11) delivered the initial blow (100-93) on the back of first-year import Kevin Brooks (24 points and 8 rebounds). Amazingly, game one of the Grand Final was only the second time the 36ers had defeated the Magic since the Eastside Melbourne Spectres and Southern Melbourne Saints had merged to form the Magic in 1992.

The 36ers, who had started the season off slowly, had really found their form come the Grand Final and, in game two, obliterated the Magic, who at that point had lost only one home game for the season, at Melbourne Park 90-62. The 36ers held the Magic to less than 15 points in three of the game’s quarters. Brooks (21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks) and Martin Cattalini (20 points and 6 rebounds) were brilliant for the 36ers in a game decided by turnovers and free throws, with South East Melbourne finishing with 26 turnovers and 6 of 8 from the free throw line to Adelaide’s 14 turnovers and 25 of 33 from the stripe. The win saw Adelaide capture their first NBL championship since 1986 with Kevin Brooks being named Grand Final MVP in what was to be the last NBL season played during the winter months. This season also saw the end of the South East Melbourne Magic, who merged with the North Melbourne Giants the following year to become the Victoria Titans. With the Titans combining two NBL rosters many of the older Magic players Dorge (aged 36) and Parkinson (aged 31) would be left without a roster spot and retire at seasons end.John Dorge played fourteen seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, Geelong Supercats and South East Melbourne Magic. He averaged 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 363 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 20th in total rebounds
– 4th in total blocks
– 34th in blocks per game.

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Dan Boyce (836 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.