BIO: After moving to the Gold Coast as a teenager and began playing with the Gold Coast basketball association.

FAMILY: Frank’s son Cameron Goldfinch also played 3 games in the NBL. Frank’s brother, Neil Goldfinch also played 6 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Frank Goldfinch made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets on 22/2/1981. He scored four points in his first game.

1984
The 1984 NBL season was one of transformation for the Newcastle Falcons, as club legend Dave Ankeney—then the franchise’s all-time leading scorer—took over as head coach, replacing Denis Kibble. Ankeney looked to build around breakout guard Michael Johnson and overhauled the import rotation, replacing George Morrow and Donnie Cruse with athletic forward Jerry Dennard and versatile big man Jim Bateman.

Newcastle opened the season in blistering form, winning five straight games—including a statement 91–80 victory over the previously unbeaten Brisbane Bullets (6–0). The Falcons remained in contention for top spot in the Eastern Division throughout the season, locked in a tense three-way battle with Brisbane and Coburg.

Bateman proved a major pickup, delivering 24.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. Johnson (21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists) continued his ascent, while veteran Ian Davies added experience and scoring punch with 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. Dennard (15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals) and Ian Robilliard (12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.7 steals) rounded out the starting five, each finishing among the league leaders in steals.

Frank Goldfinch provided support off the bench, appearing in all 26 games and averaging 3.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.7 steals per game. Though his role was limited, he contributed solidly on both ends in a backup guard role, especially during stretches where the Falcons relied on depth to maintain tempo and defensive pressure.

With three games remaining, the Falcons were tied atop the standings. However, a damaging 129–117 loss to Adelaide allowed Brisbane (19–5) to claim first place, and Coburg (18–6) edged Newcastle for second on point differential (+4) after splitting the season series 1–1. As a result, Newcastle entered the playoffs as the third seed, without the double-chance.

In the elimination final, Newcastle defeated Illawarra 108–101 in a hard-fought battle. Davies (26 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals), Johnson (23 points, 8 rebounds), Bateman (21 points, 12 rebounds), and Robilliard (21 points, 10 rebounds) led the way. Goldfinch played a minor role, logging a rebound and a steal in limited minutes as the Falcons shot 44% and won the rebound count 48–42.

The following night, their season came to an end in the semi-final, as Coburg overpowered Newcastle 132–109. Despite strong showings from Johnson (29 points, 11 rebounds), Davies (24 points, 10 rebounds), and Bateman (15 points), the Falcons were unable to contain Wayne Carroll (29 points, 7 assists) and a Coburg side that shot 46% from the field and made 25-of-29 free throws. Goldfinch contributed 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in the loss.

Despite the abrupt playoff exit, 1984 was the most successful season in Newcastle Falcons history.

Frank Goldfinch played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Brisbane Bullets and the Newcastle Falcons. He averaged 5.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 79 NBL games.

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.