NICKNAME/S: Kerley

BIO: Simon Kerle was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the St Kilda basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Simon Kerle made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 17 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Brisbane entered the 1988 NBL season looking to go back-to-back and claim their third title in four years. Head coach Brian Kerle returned with a near-identical roster to the previous year’s championship team, with only two changes—rookies Shane Heal and Simon Kerle replacing James Carr and Paul Webb on the bench.

Simon Kerle (1.3 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.2 assists) saw limited action across six games, gaining valuable experience in his first NBL season. While his on-court contributions were minimal, he was part of a squad stacked with veteran talent and high expectations.

Leroy Loggins (24.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) continued to lead from the front, earning All-NBL First Team honours and topping the league in free throw percentage. He was supported by Emery Atkinson (16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds), Larry Sengstock (11.1 points, 10.2 rebounds), and Ron Radliff (12.4 points, 3.5 assists), while 17-year-old Shane Heal (15.0 points, 2.2 assists) won Rookie of the Year.

Brisbane finished the regular season 18–6 but dropped to third after a key loss to Canberra and a tie-breaker went against them. In the quarterfinals, they hosted Perth but were upset 98–113, with Loggins pouring in 31 points.

WESTSIDE MELBOURNE
1990
Kerle was not re-signed by the Bullets after his first season in the league and spent 1989 playing in the state competition. In 1990, Kerle signed with Westside Melbourne and averaged 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. The Saints finished the regular season with a dismal 3-23 record.

BRISBANE BULLETS
1991
During the 1991 season Kerle averaged 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists and helped the Saints finish with a record of 9-17.

1992
During the 1992 season, Kerle averaged 11.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists and was a part of the Bullets squad which finished in a seventh place with a record of 12-12.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE MAGIC
1993
Simon Kerle joined the South East Melbourne Magic ahead of the 1993 NBL season, one of two notable offseason additions alongside David Graham. The pair were brought in to cover the loss of Scott Ninnis (to Adelaide) as the club looked to defend its NBL championship from the previous year. With the core of the title-winning roster retained under head coach Brian Goorjian—and stars like Robert Rose, Bruce Bolden, Tony Ronaldson and Darren Lucas all returning—Kerle was expected to provide backcourt depth and scoring punch off the bench.

However, minutes were hard to come by for the 22-year-old guard in a loaded rotation. With Rose delivering one of the greatest statistical seasons in league history (18.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.2 blocks), and Lucas (14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists) and Graham (10.4 points, 2.5 assists) entrenched in key roles, Kerle struggled to carve out consistent playing time. He appeared in 13 games during the regular season, averaging 2.5 points, 0.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists in short bursts off the bench.

Kerle made his debut in the season opener, a 106–86 win over Canberra, playing less than a minute and not registering a stat. That theme continued for most of the season, as Goorjian leaned heavily on his core rotation—including Sixth Man candidate Andrew Parkinson (11.9 points) and Perry, who returned from ACL rehab in Round 10. Despite limited court time, Kerle’s energy and willingness to shoot gave the Magic an option in short offensive spurts when called upon.

South East Melbourne powered through the regular season, finishing second on the ladder at 20–6, including a 12–1 home record at Melbourne Park. The team was led by the dominant frontcourt play of Bruce Bolden (21.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals), the breakout year of Tony Ronaldson (20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds), and the all-around brilliance of Rose, who would win the NBL MVP and lead the league in steals. The Magic swept Adelaide in the quarter-finals and advanced to a blockbuster semi-final series against the Melbourne Tigers.

Kerle did not appear in the playoffs, with the Magic leaning heavily on their veteran starters and primary reserves. In the semi-final series, Melbourne’s star duo of Mark Bradtke (28 points, 15 rebounds in Game 1) and Lanard Copeland (32 points in Game 2) proved too much, as the Tigers eliminated the Magic in two games. While Kerle’s court time was minimal in the finals, he remained part of a squad that pushed for back-to-back titles and helped bolster the team’s depth during the long regular season.

Though he averaged just 2.5 points per game, Kerle’s 1993 campaign marked a valuable learning experience on one of the league’s premier rosters.

GEELONG SUPERCATS
1994
In 1994, Kerle averaged 11.4 points and 2.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, as the Supercats finished with a 7-19 record.

1995
In 1995, Geelong saw imports Everette Stephens and Daren Rowe, along with veterans Vince Hinchen and Ray Borner (to Canberra), depart the squad as the Supercats moved to refresh the roster with a younger and more committed group.

Head coach Jim Calvin, in his third year at the helm, retooled the team by bringing in key additions Joey Wright (USA), Jeff Arnold (USA), Andrew Svaldenis (via Adelaide), and David Graham (via South East Melbourne). The core of returnees included Cecil Exum, Jason Joynes, Justin Cass, and Simon Kerle. Despite flashes of individual brilliance and a more balanced roster, Geelong finished with a 9–17 record and failed to reach the playoffs.

The season opened with a 102–112 loss to Canberra at The Arena. Simon Kerle contributed 10 points, 5 assists, and a steal in 32 minutes, while Cecil Exum added 10 points and 8 rebounds. Geelong rebounded in style the following week with a 117–93 victory over Adelaide, where Kerle poured in 24 points (7-of-9 FG, 5-of-6 3PT) and grabbed 5 boards.

Kerle’s most explosive outing came on July 1 against Wollongong, when he erupted for 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, and added 6 assists in an overtime thriller. Another marquee performance followed on September 1, as he torched Townsville for 35 points and added 10 free throws on 12 attempts in a high-scoring win. He backed that up a week later with a 32-point display against Perth, hitting 4-of-8 from long range while collecting 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

In Geelong’s final game of the year—a 103–129 loss to South East Melbourne—Kerle capped off his season with 22 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals in 30 minutes. Joey Wright finished as the game high scorer with 39 points.

Joey Wright (22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals across 25 games) was Geelong’s leading force on both ends of the floor. His season was highlighted by a record-breaking 28-point effort against Melbourne on June 24, where he set a new NBL mark by hitting 24-of-25 free throws. Jeff Arnold (19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 21 games) dominated the paint, beginning the season with 35 points and earning All-Star selection. David Graham (15.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) was reliable on the wing, while Simon Kerle (18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists across 26 games) established himself as one of the league’s premier scorers. Cecil Exum (10.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 19 games) brought veteran toughness and defensive intensity before injury ended his season and Andrew Svaldenis (10.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) was a key rebounder and low-post contributor.

Simon Kerle’s season included multiple 20+ point performances, including three games over 30 points and a 36-point explosion against Wollongong. His scoring versatility and increased playmaking cemented him as a cornerstone of the Geelong backcourt. The Supercats closed the season at 9–17 under Jim Calvin, who did not return the following year.

1996
1996 would see coach Jim Calvin replaced by up-and-coming coach Ian Stacker, with the team overhauling its roster. Major moves included securing Rupert Sapwell (via South East Melbourne) and Matt Scalzi (via Adelaide) to fill the departures of David Graham and Justin Cass, and bringing in powerhouse import Ray Owes to replace Jeff Arnold. Owes was joined by returning guard Joey Wright, who was injured after just two games and replaced by high-scoring Orlando Williams.

Simon Kerle shouldered a heavy load in the backcourt, playing all 26 games and averaging (17.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists), establishing himself as the team’s lead playmaker and perimeter weapon. He opened his season with 26 points and 8 rebounds against Wollongong on April 20 (6-of-14 FG, 3-of-7 3PT, 11-of-12 FT), then followed with 27 points and 5 assists versus Perth on April 28, knocking down five triples. In a May 3 win over Hobart, he added 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, helping guide Geelong to one of their few early victories.

Kerle’s mid-season stretch featured a series of standout performances, including 23 points (9-of-13 FG, 4-of-5 3PT) and 8 assists in a June 14 clash with Brisbane, and 22 points with 9 assists in an overtime loss to North Melbourne on June 22. On June 28, Kerle erupted for a season-high 28 points (9-of-12 FG, 5-of-6 3PT, 5-of-6 FT) in a hard-fought battle against Adelaide. He again starred on July 27 against Wollongong with 23 points and 8 assists, playing the full 48 minutes in a narrow 122–102 loss.

Kerle’s most complete performance came on August 24 in what was arguably Geelong’s best all-around game of the year—a 119–116 road loss to Townsville. He poured in 24 points (8-of-21 FG, 4-of-12 3PT, 4-of-4 FT), while Ray Owes dominated with 40 points, 22 rebounds (11 offensive), 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Orlando Williams added 32 points and 4 rebounds. The following night, in the team’s final home win, Kerle dished 10 assists and added 22 points (9-of-14 FG, 4-of-8 3PT) as Geelong defeated the Gold Coast Rollers 131–93. Owes and Williams again starred with 33 points and 26 rebounds, and 32 points and 7 assists respectively.

In the club’s final NBL game on September 28—a 100–94 road loss to Sydney—Kerle compiled 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists (7-of-20 FG, 5-of-13 3PT), while Rupert Sapwell led the team with 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Kings secured the win behind Shane Heal’s 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Isaac Burton’s 25-point, 9-rebound effort.

Ray Owes stood out as one of the league’s most dominant frontcourt players, averaging (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) across 25 games and earning All-NBL First Team honours.

Despite the influx of talent, the Supercats endured a difficult campaign, finishing 13th with a 6–20 record and ultimately handing back their NBL licence at season’s end due to financial strain and league restructuring.

Despite the Supercats’ struggles, Kerle remained a vital contributor, finishing second on the team in scoring and leading in assists. Alongside Orlando Williams (23.5 points), Ray Owes (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds), and Rupert Sapwell (11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds), Kerle helped form the offensive backbone of Geelong’s farewell campaign. His blend of shot creation, perimeter shooting, and playmaking ensured his 1996 season remained a personal career highlight in a turbulent final year for the franchise.

TOWNSVILLE SUNS
1997
Townsville had not reached the playoffs during its first six seasons in the league but In 1997, the team came ‘oh so close’ to removing the monkey from their back. Needing only one win from their final six games to ensure a historic playoff appearance, the Suns went 0–6 after centre Clarence Tyson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Canberra. Kerle would average 16.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for the season and the team finished in eighth place with a record of 14-16.

1998
After falling just one win short of a historic first playoff appearance in 1997 due to Clarence Tyson’s late-season knee injury, the Townsville Suns entered 1998 determined to finally break through. Head coach Mark Bragg returned for his sixth season with the franchise, bringing back the core of captain Derek Rucker, Simon Kerle, Jason Cameron, Tony De Ambrosis, Grant Kruger, Keiron Mitchelhill, and Brad Davidson. The major changes came in the frontcourt as veteran Shane Froling retired and Tyson remained unavailable, prompting the Suns to recruit former Geelong and NBA forward Ray Owes. Rookie Travis Lindstrom was also added to the roster.

The season began in ideal fashion as Townsville stunned Perth on the road (89–87). Derek Rucker (34 points and 6 assists) set the tone, Ray Owes (19 points and 13 rebounds) impressed in his debut, and Simon Kerle (14 points) balanced the perimeter. For the Wildcats, Ricky Grace (21 points and 8 assists) was the standout, but the Suns’ new trio secured the upset win. However, inconsistency quickly crept in, and by early March the Suns had stumbled to a 2–6 record, leaving them with a mountain to climb.

Even in defeat, Derek Rucker delivered remarkable scoring nights. Against Brisbane (116–98), he exploded for 51 points on 19-of-26 shooting with 11 threes, supported by Simon Kerle (26 points) and Ray Owes (12 points and 11 rebounds). Brisbane’s veteran Leroy Loggins (37 points) was superb, but Rucker’s display stood as one of the season’s great individual performances. Two weeks later, the Suns edged Brisbane again (103–102) with Rucker (23 points and 10 assists), Kerle (20 points), and Owes (12 points and 9 rebounds) leading the way while Steve Woodberry (28 points) kept the Bullets in the contest.

Momentum returned in May with a marquee road victory over the defending champion Melbourne Tigers (114–96). Rucker (26 points and 15 assists) controlled the game, Kerle (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) delivered consistent scoring, and Tony De Ambrosis (21 points and 9 rebounds) posted his best outing of the year. Lanard Copeland (23 points) top scored for Melbourne, but Townsville’s depth prevailed. A week later, the Suns edged Sydney at home (113–108) in a thriller behind Simon Kerle’s season-high (35 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists), Rucker (29 points and 11 assists), and a breakout game from David Pennisi (14 points and 4 rebounds off the bench). Evers Burns (20 points) led the Kings but the Furnace crowd roared Townsville home.

Owes’ inside presence made him one of the NBL’s premier rebounders, finishing the season as the league leader on the glass and third in blocks. He also delivered several dominant frontcourt performances, including 38 points and 13 rebounds against Adelaide (105–117) before following that with 37 points and 13 rebounds in a 98–113 loss to Illawarra 10 days later.

Despite marquee wins over playoff sides like Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, streaky form haunted Townsville. A three-game losing skid to close out the year saw their playoff push collapse, leaving them ninth with a 12–18 record. For the second straight season, they fell agonisingly short of their first finals appearance.

Individually, Derek Rucker (27.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.7 steals) was spectacular, leading the NBL in assists and finishing second in scoring and steals, Ray Owes (19.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) dominated the paint, and both players were named to the All-NBL First Team, with Rucker also earning club MVP honours. Other key contributors included Simon Kerle (18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists), Jason Cameron (7.5 points and 4.7 rebounds), and Grant Kruger (7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds).

1998/99
The summer switch arrived with a clean slate in Townsville. Inaugural coach Mark Bragg exited after six seasons and Ian Stacker came north from South East Melbourne, while a trademark dispute prompted the club to retire “Suns” and embrace the region-first “Crocodiles”—the same banner Stacker’s under-22s carried to FIBA gold in 1997. The coaching move also brought Sam Mackinnon, a headline-grabbing transfer that strained ties with Stacker’s former boss Brian Goorjian. Only four holdovers returned (Simon Kerle, Brad Davidson, David Pennisi, Jason Cameron) as Stacker rebuilt around new arrivals Robert Rose (via Canberra), Andrew Goodwin (via North Melbourne) and James Harper (via South Florida), with Michael Pennisi also rejoining from overseas. For Kerle, the remit was clear: space the floor, change pace, and provide punch alongside two elite playmakers.

Townsville’s first night under the new name delivered a 91–84 win over Brisbane. Kerle chipped in 14 points and stretched the defence with four made threes, complementing Mackinnon (18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and a career high effort from David Pennisi (18 points, 5 rebounds) as the Crocs withstood Steve Woodberry (31 points) and Leroy Loggins (17 points).

A harsh reality check followed—six straight defeats—before the reset came at home against Wollongong (93–80). There, Mackinnon (26 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists) delivered his best game of the season, while Kerle (21 points) and Rose (20 points) kept the Hawks and star Clayton Ritter (22 points) at bay. The very next outing produced the Crocs’ peak offensive performance: 120 points on Canberra. Kerle (33 points and 5 assists) caught fire for a season-high, while Goodwin (19 points, 5 rebounds) and Harper (19 points, 13 rebounds) controlled things inside against a Cannons group led by Melvin Thomas (21 points, 13 rebounds).

From there, the blueprint was clear: play fast, lean on star creation, and let Kerle’s perimeter bursts tilt games at the Furnace. Home form turned into a weapon—headlined by a 116–68 demolition of Sydney and a 90–89 upset of reigning champion Melbourne—though late stumbles to Sydney (101–119) and Adelaide (92–107) to end the season.

Kerle (13.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists) saw his numbers decrease with the influx of new talent, but was still dependable from the perimeter. Around him, Rose (21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.8 steals) was ever-present and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, Mackinnon (16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks) was named to the All-NBL Third Team, while other key contributors included Goodwin (14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds) and Harper (10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks).

A slow start and some late season errors saw the Crocs finish seventh (12–14), just outside the playoff bracket.

BRISBANE BULLETS
1998/99
The team were unable to retain imports Chuck Kornegay (Spain) and Steve Woodberry (Sydney), who both left for high-paying deals, and by the 1999/00 season, Leroy Loggins (16.0 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game) was finally showing signs of slowing down. By now, his numbers had dropped to career lows across the board, and the Bullets began to plan for life after Leroy.

Head coach Brian Kerle signed his son Simon Kerle and Jason Cameron (both via Townsville) as well as Brendan Mann (via Canberra) to build a local core to build around, adding them to existing young talent, Phil Doherty and Mark Nash. Rod Johnson (via Newcastle) was also added for some veteran leadership, and import signings Kelvin Price and Sheldon Quarles rounded out the roster.

Amazingly, Loggins (15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) was still a vital cog in the Bullets’ offence and continued to clock 29 minutes of playing time each game despite being 42 years old. Kerle (14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) did what he could, while Price (12.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Quarles (11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) underperformed, to say the least. The Bullets didn’t quite have the talent they did the previous year and finished 7-21, causing Loggins to miss the playoffs for only the third time in his 20 seasons in the NBL.

2000/01
The 2000/01 season was especially disappointing for the Bullets, as they managed to win only four games new coach Richard Orlick. The team relying offensively on Simon Kerle (24.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists), Randy Rutherford (19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals) and a 43-year-old Leroy Loggins (16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.0 steals) which didn’t have what it took to compete against the league’s best team’s.

After the Bullets last game, Loggins would retire after 21 seasons but even during his final run, he was still starting and averaging 36 minutes per game for the Bullets. a indication of both his greatness and the weakness of the Bullets roster at the time.

Brisbane finished the season second last (4-24), one game above the Canberra Cannons (3-25).

Simon Kerle thought he had sent it to OT. but CJ single handedly dismantled the D and hit the game winner!! @NBL @nblhistory pic.twitter.com/bavjukBB4s— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) March 18, 2023

2001/02
In 2001/02, Kerle averaged 15.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists as the Bullets finished in seventh place with a record of 14-16.

2002/03
In 2002/03, Kerle averaged 9.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as the Bullets finished in first place with a record of 6-24.

2004/05
After a year spent out of the league, Kerle returned to the Bullets roster in 2004. Kerle averaged 12.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as the Bullets finished in fifth place finish with a 17-15 record.