BIO: Matthew Hodgson was born in Ipswich (QLD) and attended Ipswich Grammar. Hodgson received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2009. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Matthew Hodgson made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 24 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.

The Adelaide 36ers revamped their backcourt ahead of the 2015/16 season, bringing in import guards Kenyon McNeail and two-time NBL champion Ebi Ere. With the departure of Brock Motum to Europe and a decision not to re-sign veteran Luke Schenscher (who later joined Townsville), the team added two young talents: forward Lucas Walker from the Melbourne Tigers and guard Nathan Sobey, who had caught coach Joey Wright’s eye while playing as a training player with Cairns the previous season. Impressed by Sobey’s potential during warm-ups against Cairns, Wright offered him a spot on the 36ers roster.

Daniel Johnson (15.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game) continued to anchor the team, leading in both scoring and rebounding. However, early into the season, McNeail left the team after just three games due to a pre-season shoulder injury sustained during a dunk contest. Wright was tasked with finding a new import point guard for the second time in as many seasons.

The 36ers unearthed Jerome Randle, a point guard who had been overlooked by the NBA due to his size and had spent five years playing in Europe. Randle admitted that he had begun to “fall out of love” with basketball before joining Adelaide. Upon his arrival, Wright gave him a blunt wake-up call, telling him, “If you don’t play your game, then you’re gonna f***in’ sit on the bench!” That statement resonated with Randle, reigniting his passion for the game and making him feel “at home” again, something he hadn’t felt since leaving Chicago.

Randle (23.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists) went on to become the league’s leading scorer, marking the first time an Adelaide 36ers player had earned that honor. He scored 30 or more points in four games, including a stunning 40-point performance against Perth on November 5. His outstanding play earned him the inaugural NBL Australia Post Fan’s MVP award.

Matthew Hodgson averaged 3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.1 assists during the season. He made an immediate impact with an 18-point debut, which remains one of the highest-scoring debut games by an Australian player.

Despite Randle’s remarkable individual season, the 36ers finished just outside the playoffs in fifth place with a 14-14 record. At season’s end, Randle was named to the All-NBL First Team, while Johnson earned All-NBL Second Team honours.

2016/17
In the 2016 NBL off-season, the Adelaide 36ers retained star player Jerome Randle and signed several promising young talents, including Anthony Drmic, the younger brother of former NBL player Frank Drmic, Sudanese-born local Majok Deng, and import forward/centre Eric Jacobsen. The team also made a splash by signing 18-year-old high school star Terrance Ferguson from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ferguson, choosing to play professionally in the NBL rather than in college, would become a test case for the NBL’s Next Stars Program, aimed at developing young NBA prospects.

Despite pre-season predictions that the young 36ers squad would finish last, Adelaide emerged as the team to beat by mid-season. Early injuries to captain Mitch Creek (ankle) and Daniel Johnson (hamstring) contributed to a slow 3-6 start, highlighted by a tough loss to Brisbane (87-105) in Round 7, which saw them fall to the bottom of the ladder. However, a healthy roster saw a quick turnaround as they bounced back by comfortably defeating Brisbane (101-83) in the next game and then went on an eight-game winning streak. By Round 11, they had surged from last to first, and by Round 16, they had won 14 of their last 15 games, locking in first place with three rounds to go. Despite losing their final four regular-season games, Adelaide finished two games clear at the top of the standings with a 17-11 record.

Nathan Sobey (15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals) thrived in Creek’s absence, tripling his scoring output from the previous season. His breakout earned him a spot on the All-NBL Second Team and the Most Improved Player award. Randle (21.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists) led the team in scoring, was named NBL MVP, and earned All-NBL First Team honours. Daniel Johnson (15.1 points, 7.1 rebounds) also made the All-NBL First Team, while Creek (12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds) continued to develop. Matthew Hodgson added 5.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.

Adelaide faced Illawarra in the semifinals, winning Game 1 convincingly (93-78), thanks to a stellar performance by Randle (26 points and 4 assists). However, the Hawks caused a major upset by winning Games 2 (100–94) and 3 (106-98), eliminating the 36ers and ending their season prematurely.

2017/18
After finishing first with a 17-11 record the previous season before being eliminated by Illawarra in the semifinals, coach Joey Wright retained all eight Australian players from the 2016/17 roster and looked to go one step further. Reigning NBL MVP Jerome Randle (to Bahçeşehir), Terrance Ferguson (to Oklahoma City) and Eric Jacobsen (to Fukuoka) departed, with Shannon Shorter signed to replace Randle and Ramone Moore (via Melbourne) and Ronald Roberts added as Adelaide’s other imports. The 36ers went undefeated at the Merlion Cup in Singapore and defeated the Shanghai Sharks in the final, but Roberts was released a week before the NBL season after the club cited a knee injury, although Roberts responded publicly that he was “100 percent fine.” Alan Wiggins was signed as his replacement but broke his arm in his NBL debut and required surgery, leading Adelaide to sign former Sydney Kings star Josh Childress.

The Adelaide centre entered the season having re-signed on a two-year deal in March and enjoyed a busy off-season which included a Dallas Mavericks free-agent minicamp before representing Australia during its undefeated FIBA Asia Cup gold-medal campaign. The experience gave him increased confidence entering his third NBL season, saying, “Playing alongside the best players in the NBL, and seeing that I belong with them.”

Adelaide opened the season against Melbourne at Titanium Security Arena on October 5, where Hodgson (5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) started in the middle alongside Sobey (21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Drmic (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Creek (15 points, 3 steals, and 1 block), but Ware (23 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) led United to a 99-97 victory.

Hodgson (4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds across 35 games) appeared in every game Adelaide played during the season and did not miss any games through injury. He started Adelaide’s first 17 games before shifting to the bench when Creek returned to the starting lineup in January, with his playing time decreasing during the second half of the season as Wright settled on Childress and Johnson in larger frontcourt roles.

Adelaide struggled for consistency through the first half of the season despite performing well on the road, winning only eight of its first 16 games. Randle (19.6 points and 5.3 assists across 17 games) later left Turkey after claiming his salary had not been paid on time and enquired about returning to Adelaide, but with the roster already finalised he instead signed with Sydney. The 36ers were then hit by injuries when Creek (14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 31 games) tore a small muscle from the bone around his hamstring and Drmic (6.6 points across 28 games) suffered a left knee MCL sprain.

Hodgson produced his highest-scoring game of the season against Sydney at Titanium Security Arena on October 21, making six of seven field goals to finish with 14 points and 4 rebounds as Adelaide defeated the Kings 114-84. Sobey (25 points) and Shorter (19 points and 6 assists) led the 36ers, while Travis Leslie (25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) was Sydney’s best. Adelaide scored 69 points in the first half, setting a record for the most points scored in a first half during the NBL’s 40-minute era, as the victory improved the 36ers to 3-2.

Hodgson delivered another strong performance against Sydney on November 18, finishing with 13 points and 7 rebounds while making six of seven field goals as Adelaide snapped a three-game losing streak with a 108-93 victory. Shorter (19 points and 6 assists), Sobey (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Johnson (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Perry Ellis (26 points and 8 rebounds), Randle (18 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Isaac Humphries (17 points and 9 rebounds) led Sydney.

With Creek and Drmic sidelined, Hodgson (12 points and 4 rebounds) was one of Adelaide’s better performers against Cairns on Christmas Eve, but Childress (20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) received little support as Gliddon (27 points, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Taipans to a 94-75 win at Titanium Security Arena. The defeat left Adelaide at 8-8 but became the turning point in its season, with the 36ers winning 10 of their final 12 regular-season games.

Hodgson’s best game of the season came in Adelaide’s final regular-season game against Brisbane on February 17, where he made all five of his field-goal attempts and finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks as the 36ers defeated the Bullets 105-82. Deng (20 points and 3 steals), Creek (16 points and 6 rebounds) and Childress (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Travis Trice (20 points) led Brisbane. The victory was Adelaide’s third in a row and completed an 18-10 regular season, securing second place and home-court advantage for the semifinals.

Johnson (15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds across 35 games) led Adelaide in scoring, with Shorter (13.3 points, 5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals across 34 games), Sobey (12.1 points and 3.7 rebounds across 35 games), Childress (12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds across 27 games) and Moore (11.3 points across 32 games) providing additional scoring. Johnson was selected to the All-NBL First Team, Creek earned All-NBL Second Team honours and the Fans MVP award, while Moore was named the NBL’s Best Sixth Man.

Adelaide opened the semifinals against defending champion Perth at Titanium Security Arena, where Hodgson (0 points) played five minutes as Childress (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals), Creek (20 points and 11 rebounds), Shorter (18 points and 7 assists) and Johnson (16 points and 10 rebounds) led the 36ers to a 109-74 victory, while Cotton (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth. The 35-point margin handed the Wildcats the second-biggest finals defeat in club history.

Game two moved to Perth Arena, where Hodgson (0 points and 1 rebound) again played limited minutes as Adelaide recovered from an 18-point deficit behind Childress (25 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block), Creek (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Sobey (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Cotton (31 points), Jean-Pierre Tokoto (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Brandt (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Perth. Adelaide remained five points behind with 54 seconds remaining before completing an 89-88 comeback victory, sweeping the Wildcats 2-0 and advancing to its first Grand Final since 2014.

The Grand Final series opened at Hisense Arena, where Hodgson (10 points) produced his highest-scoring game of the playoffs and was involved in a first-quarter collision that forced Ware from the court temporarily. Johnson (18 points and 5 rebounds), Shorter (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Creek (14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Adelaide, but Goulding (26 points) and Ware (20 points) carried Melbourne to a 107-96 victory.

Adelaide levelled the series at Titanium Security Arena with a 110-95 game two victory, where Hodgson (2 points and 2 blocks) played limited minutes as Deng (18 points and 6 rebounds), Moore (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Creek (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the 36ers, while Prather (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Goulding (19 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne. The victory came at a significant cost when Childress (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) suffered a shoulder injury late in the game that ruled him out for the remainder of the series.

Game three returned to Hisense Arena, where Hodgson (0 points and 1 rebound) played 12 minutes as Johnson (20 points and 3 assists), Moore (18 points and 2 steals), Deng (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Creek (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide, while Ware (25 points), Prather (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points and 2 steals) helped Melbourne win 101-98. Sobey (9 points, 4 assists, and 1 block) was ejected following a halftime clash with Prather that sparked an all-in melee, while Deng missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds as United took a 2-1 series lead.

Facing elimination in game four, Hodgson (0 points and 1 rebound) played eight minutes as Adelaide raced to a 55-31 halftime lead before Melbourne mounted a second-half comeback. Johnson (21 points and 9 rebounds), Sobey (16 points and 4 rebounds), Shorter (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Deng (13 points and 5 rebounds) helped the 36ers hold on for a 90-81 victory, while Prather (23 points and 7 rebounds) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Melbourne as Adelaide levelled the series at 2-2.

The deciding game five returned to Hisense Arena, where Hodgson (2 points) played five minutes as Shorter (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Johnson (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) and Creek (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Adelaide, while Goulding (23 points), Ware (23 points) and Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne. Goulding was named Grand Final MVP and Prather collected his third consecutive NBL championship as Melbourne defeated Adelaide 100-82 to win the series 3-2.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2018/19
After finishing last in 2017/18 with a 9-19 record and collecting a second consecutive wooden spoon, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Daniel Kickert (to Sydney), Tom Jervis (to Perth), Mitch Young (to Cairns), Shaun Bruce (to Adelaide), Anthony Petrie (retired) and imports Travis Trice and Perrin Buford departed, while captain Adam Gibson, Stephen Holt, Reuben Te Rangi and Will Magnay remained. Brisbane added Cameron Gliddon (via Cairns), Jason Cadee (via Sydney), Matthew Hodgson (via Adelaide), Mika Vukona (via New Zealand), Makoto Hiejima (via Japan) and Alonzo Gee (via Puerto Rico), while Cam Bairstow returned after missing the previous season following a knee reconstruction. Hiejima joined under the NBL’s Asian Player rule, becoming the first Japanese player to sign with an NBL team. Brisbane also faced a difficult early draw, with 12 of its first 15 games coming against teams which had finished in the top four the previous season.

The Ipswich product had requested a release from the final year of his Adelaide contract after helping the 36ers reach the 2018 Grand Final and signed a one-year deal with Brisbane on April 27. In September, he suffered a calf injury while playing for the Australian Boomers and was ruled out for three to four weeks. The injury kept him out of Brisbane’s October 11 season opener against New Zealand, but he returned against Cairns two days later and played every remaining game through the semifinal series.

Hodgson (9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across 29 games) had a strong first season in Brisbane, starting 28 of his 29 appearances and leading the NBL by shooting 63 percent from the field while ranking sixth in the league in blocked shots.

Hodgson’s best game came against Adelaide on November 4, where he finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks as Brisbane defeated the 36ers 93-90. Gliddon (30 points and 2 steals) made six three-pointers and hit the game-winner with less than a second remaining, while Te Rangi (13 points and 3 assists) provided support and Daniel Johnson (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Adelaide.

His best scoring game came against Melbourne on January 6, where Hodgson (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) made 7 of 10 field goals as Brisbane defeated the defending champions 95-86 on the Gold Coast. Gliddon (16 points and 2 steals) and Cadee (14 points and 9 assists) helped Brisbane record its third win over United that season, while Casper Ware (29 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne.

With Brisbane fighting to remain in the playoff race, Hodgson (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) played an important role against Illawarra on February 7 as the Bullets overcame the Hawks 98-87 in overtime, snapping a four-game losing streak and improving to 13-13. Patterson (24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Gibson (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Jordair Jett (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra.

Four games into the season, Gee (7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 4 games) requested to return to the US for personal reasons and was released, with Patterson (17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 24 games, via China) signed on October 31. Holt (7.1 points across 11 games) was later granted a mutual release to pursue an opportunity in Europe, with Jeremy Kendle (6 points across 18 games), who had been training with Brisbane, initially added as his replacement before being retained for the remainder of the season. Nnanna Egwu (0 points across 3 games) also appeared briefly as an injury replacement, while the rarely used Hiejima (0 points across 3 games) was replaced by A.J. Davis (4.1 points across 11 games, via Prishtina).

Patterson developed into Brisbane’s leading scorer and was named to the All-NBL First Team as well as winning the Bullets’ club MVP award. Gliddon (13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games), Bairstow (11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 29 games), Te Rangi (9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 30 games), Cadee (8.3 points and 4.1 assists across 30 games), Vukona (6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds across 28 games) and Gibson (6.2 points across 30 games) provided Brisbane’s other major contributions. Te Rangi was named both the NBL’s Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year.

Brisbane’s playoff hopes came down to its final regular-season game against New Zealand on February 16, where Hodgson (2 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) helped protect the paint as the Bullets defeated the Breakers 84-78. Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cadee (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Brisbane, while Shawn Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was New Zealand’s best. The victory left Brisbane tied with Adelaide at 14-14, with the Bullets claiming fourth place on points percentage and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Perth opened the semifinals at RAC Arena on February 28 with an 89-59 win over Brisbane behind Bryce Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Terrico White (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Nick Kay (18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks). Gliddon (18 points and 4 rebounds), Hodgson (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Patterson (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Brisbane.

Game two moved to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where Hodgson (15 points and 2 blocks), Patterson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Bairstow (12 points and 7 rebounds) kept the Bullets close, but White (24 points), Cotton (19 points and 10 assists) and Kay (16 points, 15 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Perth to an 84-79 victory to complete the 2-0 sweep.

2019/20
After returning to the playoffs in 2018/19 with a 14-14 record before losing to Perth in the semifinals, Brisbane entered the new season without Adam Gibson (to South East Melbourne) and Cameron Bairstow (to Vilnius). Coach Andrej Lemanis added Nathan Sobey (via Adelaide), Taylor Braun (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva) and EJ Singler (via Hawke’s Bay), while Lamar Patterson eventually re-signed to complete Brisbane’s import trio.

Hodgson re-signed with Brisbane on a new two-year deal after his first season with the club and entered the year focused on becoming a stronger defensive rebounder. “The thing I want to bring to the team this season especially is the ability to rebound defensively,” Hodgson said.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where Hodgson (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) helped the Bullets to a 90-81 win, with Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Sobey (17 points and 5 rebounds) leading Brisbane while Aaron Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Hodgson (10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds) started all 28 games and did not miss a game through injury, improving on the 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds he averaged the previous season while shooting 67 percent from the field. Brisbane sat sixth with a 5-6 record after 11 games before improving during the second half of the season and working its way into the finals race.

Hodgson’s best scoring game came against defending champions Perth at Nissan Arena on January 5, where Hodgson (17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped Brisbane defeat the Wildcats 97-85 and improve to 9-11. Patterson (35 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Sobey (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth as the Bullets kept their finals hopes alive.

Hodgson’s best game of the season came against Melbourne on February 1, where Hodgson (14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) produced a double-double as Brisbane defeated United 87-83 at Nissan Arena. Patterson (31 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Sobey (13 points) helped the Bullets collect their sixth consecutive win, while Melo Trimble (36 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne. The victory moved Brisbane two wins clear in fourth place with two rounds remaining.

Patterson (21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) remained Brisbane’s leading offensive player and earned All-NBL First Team honours for the second consecutive season, while Sobey (16 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) was the team’s second-leading scorer. Cadee (11 points) won the NBL Sixth Man award, while Magnay (8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks) was elevated into the starting lineup during his breakout season and won the NBL Most Improved Player award before later earning an NBA opportunity with New Orleans. Singler (7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds), Gliddon (6.9 points) and Braun (6.7 points) were Brisbane’s other main contributors, while veteran Vukona (1.6 points) saw his role reduced as age and injuries took their toll before retiring at the end of the season.

Consecutive losses to New Zealand and Perth left Brisbane needing to defeat Cairns by at least 34 points in its final game to remain alive in the finals race. Hodgson (9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Brisbane defeat Cairns 124-88 at a sold-out Nissan Arena on February 15, with Sobey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Gliddon (25 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals) leading the Bullets while Majok Deng (20 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns. The 36-point victory was the biggest win by any NBL team that season and Brisbane’s 124 points were an NBL season-high, but Melbourne defeated South East Melbourne the following day, leaving Brisbane outside the playoffs in fifth place with a 15-13 record.

2020/21
After finishing fifth with a 15-13 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Cam Gliddon (to South East Melbourne), Lamar Patterson (to New Zealand), Reuben Te Rangi (to South East Melbourne), Will Magnay (to New Orleans), Mika Vukona (to Southern Districts), Taylor Braun (to Israel) and EJ Singler (to NZNBL) departed, while Anthony Drmic and Harry Froling (both via Adelaide), Tanner Krebs (via St Mary’s), Tamuri Wigness (via Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence) and imports Vic Law (via Orlando) and Orlando Johnson (via Russia) were added.

Hodgson returned for his third season with Brisbane and the second year of the two-year deal he had signed in 2019.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at Nissan Arena on January 16 without Hodgson, who was sidelined by a calf injury. Sobey (19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Law (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) led Brisbane, while Sam Froling (19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Hawks to a 90-84 win.

The calf injury also kept Hodgson out of Brisbane’s rematch with Illawarra five days later before he returned on restricted minutes. A leg complaint then ruled him out against Adelaide on February 13, before returning two days later. Hodgson (10.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 32 games) shot 60 per cent from the field and averaged 3.1 offensive rebounds per game, initially coming off the bench while working his way back from injury before moving into the starting lineup late in March.

Hodgson’s best game came against South East Melbourne during the NBL Cup on February 21, where he made nine of his 10 field goal attempts and finished with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 23 minutes. Drmic (16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) and Sobey (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while Mitchell Creek (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix to a 99-83 win. “Hodgy is a difference-maker for us obviously… In this league he is something to deal with certainly,” Lemanis said.

Five days later Hodgson (12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) helped Brisbane defeat Illawarra 97-91, with Law (29 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) and Sobey (18 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) leading the Bullets, while Justinian Jessup (26 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) was Illawarra’s best.

Brisbane followed with another statement win against defending champion Perth on March 5, where Hodgson (8 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) provided a strong presence inside as Sobey (31 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Law (23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) combined for 54 points, while Bryce Cotton (29 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth in a 95-92 Bullets win.

Hodgson’s best scoring game came two days later against top-of-the-table Melbourne at John Cain Arena, where he finished with a career-high 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Hodgson scored 11 points during the final five minutes and threw down a dunk with 25 seconds remaining to seal the win, while Cadee (19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Sobey (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) provided support and Chris Goulding (21 points) led Melbourne as Brisbane won 96-88.

Brisbane changed its import combination during March, releasing Orlando Johnson (6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 15 games) and bringing Patterson (14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 17 games) back (via New Zealand) while he recovered from an MCL injury. Law (18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 16 games) then suffered an ankle injury following Brisbane’s March 20 win over New Zealand, with further testing revealing a torn tendon which required surgery and ended his season. Brisbane was 9-7 when Law made his final appearance but lost six of its next seven games to fall to 10-13, with BJ Johnson (10 points and 3.7 rebounds across 11 games) later added (via Long Island).

Hodgson also missed the March 27 game against New Zealand after appearing to tweak his calf during the warm-up. It was the fourth and final game he missed during NBL21, with Hodgson returning two days later against Illawarra and starting every game for the remainder of the season.

Brisbane’s lowest point came against South East Melbourne on May 22, where Hodgson (6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) played 23 minutes as the Bullets were held to a season-low 66 points. Drmic (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Patterson (11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) were Brisbane’s only double-figure scorers, while Yanni Wetzell (18 points and 9 rebounds) led the Phoenix to a 95-66 win.

Four days later Hodgson (12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 5 blocks) produced his best shot-blocking game of the season as Brisbane defeated Cairns 101-96 and remained in the finals race. Sobey (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Froling (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Brisbane offensively, while Mojave King (25 points) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Sobey (21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 36 games) led Brisbane’s offence and was named to the All-NBL First Team, while Drmic (10.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 34 games), Cadee (9.5 points and 4 assists across 36 games) and Froling (8 points and 4.9 rebounds across 36 games) were among the team’s other major contributors. Brisbane’s frontcourt helped the Bullets finish third in offensive rebounding and second in defensive rebounds across the league.

Hodgson’s work inside was recognised when he won Brisbane’s Defensive Player of the Year award, while Sobey won the Leroy Loggins MVP and Members MVP awards, Cadee received the Players Player Award and Wigness (2.9 points across 27 games) was named Young Player of the Year. Lemanis also announced he would leave Brisbane after five seasons as head coach.

Following the season, Hodgson (to Perth) signed a one-year deal with the Wildcats, ending his three-year stint with Brisbane.

Brisbane closed the season against South East Melbourne at Nissan Arena on June 8, where Hodgson (5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 20 minutes, with Patterson (19 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Sobey (16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) leading Brisbane, while Creek (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was the Phoenix’s best as the Bullets won 94-84 and finished sixth with an 18-18 record.

PERTH WILDCATS
2021/22
After finishing second with a 25-11 record and being swept by Melbourne in the Grand Final, Perth underwent major changes with five-time championship coach Trevor Gleeson (to Toronto) leaving for the NBA. John Mooney (to Chiba), Will Magnay (to Tasmania), Clint Steindl (to Tasmania), Jarrad Weeks (to Tasmania), Jarred Bairstow (to Tasmania) and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (to Sydney) also departed. Scott Morrison replaced Gleeson as coach, adding Vic Law (via Brisbane) and Michael Frazier II (via Delaware) to the roster.

Matthew Hodgson (via Brisbane) completed Perth’s roster in October, signing a one-year deal after spending the previous three seasons with the Bullets. “It’s a real honour to be joining such a great organisation… I feel truly honoured,” he said.

Perth opened the season against Adelaide at RAC Arena on December 3, where Hodgson (1 rebound) lasted just 71 seconds before suffering a calf injury as the Wildcats won 85-73. Law (37 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) produced the highest-scoring Wildcats debut, Cotton (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) provided support and Daniel Johnson (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide.

Hodgson (6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds across 18 games) battled injuries throughout his first season in Perth. The calf injury suffered in the opener caused him to miss the next four games against Cairns, Brisbane twice and Tasmania before returning against Cairns on December 31.

On January 30, Hodgson (4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) was ejected during the third quarter against Sydney after twice striking Dejan Vasiljevic in the face following a verbal altercation as the Kings defeated Perth 96-81. Law (20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Cotton (20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth, while Jaylen Adams (30 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Sydney.

Hodgson was charged with striking twice and engaging in a melee/brawl, with the tribunal upholding both striking charges and dismissing the melee charge. After an NBL appeal, he ultimately served a two-game suspension and missed games against South East Melbourne and Melbourne. “I consider my reaction out of character and I’m extremely disappointed in myself as I’ve let down my teammates, club and fans. To Dejan, I’m sorry, there is no excuse for my behaviour. I take full responsibility for my actions and will make every effort to improve myself physically and mentally before returning to the court.”

Hodgson’s best game came against Tasmania on February 28, where Hodgson (15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) helped Perth snap a three-game losing streak with an 89-78 win. Cotton (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Law (19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led the Wildcats, while Jack McVeigh (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) was Tasmania’s leading scorer. Hodgson suffered another calf injury late in the game, forcing him to miss the following four games against Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand before returning for Perth’s first game back at RAC Arena on March 20.

Perth completed its extended road stretch sitting second with a 13-6 record before struggling during its final nine games. During the run home, the Wildcats attempted to replace Frazier II (7.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 19 games) with John Brown III (via UNICS Kazan), who had left Russia amid humanitarian concerns. Brown arrived in Perth and trained with the Wildcats, but complications obtaining the required FIBA clearance prevented him from being registered before the deadline, forcing Perth to return Frazier II to the active roster as Brown returned to the United States.

Earlier today, @PerthWildcats head coach Scott Morrison addressed the awkward nature of how things have played out with Michael Frazier II and John Brown III.#NBL22 pic.twitter.com/scxWbnKfDQ— NBL (@NBL) April 6, 2022

Cotton (22.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals across 28 games) and Law (20.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 26 games) led Perth’s offence as the Wildcats averaged a league-best 89.1 points per game, with both selected to the All-NBL First Team. Blanchfield (10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds across 23 games), Norton (9.6 points and 3.8 assists across 18 games), Travers (7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds across 27 games), Wagstaff (6.2 points across 28 games) and Majok (5.3 points and 5.2 rebounds across 28 games) provided further support. Perth’s late-season struggles worsened when Law suffered a right ankle syndesmosis injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

With Law unavailable, Perth entered its final game against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on April 24 needing a win to reach the playoffs. Hodgson (12 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) produced his only double-double of the season, while Cotton (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Frazier II (22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth and Xavier Munford (24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne. Perth built an eight-point lead before the Phoenix fought back and forced overtime, eventually winning 102-100 to leave the Wildcats fifth with a 16-12 record and end their run of 35 consecutive finals appearances.
Matthew Hodgson played seven seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets and Perth Wildcats. He averaged 7.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 194 NBL games.