NBL EXPERIENCE

Andrew Page made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks on 15/4/1983. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

The Hawks entered the 1983 NBL season undergoing major change, losing captain and playmaker Gordie McLeod to Sydney and import Alonzo Weatherly to the US.

Charlie Ammit stepped in as head coach—Illawarra’s fourth in four years—while former MVP Michael Jones returned as captain and import guard Jerry Steurer replaced Weatherly. Local rookies Simon Cottrell and Tim Morrissey joined the rotation, and development guard Andrew Page, part of the team’s training squad, earned limited minutes off the bench.

Illawarra’s year opened with a 95–113 loss to Newcastle despite Jones (35 points), Cottrell (24), and Steurer (20). Page did not score but logged early court time in the final minutes. The Hawks endured an eight-game slide before claiming their first win at Beaton Park over Devonport (102–100), powered by Jones (33 points), Slacke (29), and Steurer (24).

The team’s form improved late, highlighted by home victories over Coburg (89–88) and Frankston (92–90) behind Jones (30 and 25) and Steurer (31 and 30).

Jones (32.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks across 22 games) led the league in scoring, with Steurer (23.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists) and Slacke (11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds) key contributors. Morrissey (7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists) rounded out the main rotation.

Andrew Page (0.3 points across 6 games) was part of the team’s training roster and offered reliable support and energy in limited appearances as Illawarra finished 4–18, seventh in the Eastern Division.

1984
After a season with the Sydney Supersonics, Gordie McLeod returned to Illawarra and resumed the captaincy under Charlie Ammit—the first Hawks coach kept on for consecutive years. With former MVP Michael Jones departing overseas, the club paired returning import Jerry Steurer with American seven-footer David McGuire to retool the frontcourt.

Illawarra burst out of the gates with a 119–93 statement over Sydney at Beaton Park, driven by McLeod (24 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals), Steurer (22 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists) and Tim Morrissey (18 points, 8 rebounds). Andrew Page chipped in 2 points (1/1 FG) off the bench as the rotation overwhelmed the Supersonics.

A brief stumble followed, but the Hawks reset with a 97–84 win against St Kilda as McLeod (21 points, 11 assists) steered the offense, Morrissey (22 points, 8 rebounds) punished mismatches and Steurer (19 points, 12 rebounds) controlled the paint. Page (2 points) making bench contributions as well.

Ten games in, with the ledger at 5–5, McGuire (16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.1 blocks) was moved on and ex-NBA forward Marlon Redmond (29.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists) arrived. He detonated for 45 points and 17 boards in a 107–103 win over Perth, with Steurer (23 points, 9 rebounds) and McLeod (10 points, 12 assists) in support.

Redmond’s presence reshaped the attack: McLeod (15.9 points, 8.7 assists) controlled pace, Steurer (23.6 points, 8.2 rebounds) provided balance, and Morrissey (18.7 points, 6.6 rebounds) delivered a breakout year. Page’s contributions were modest but steady. Illawarra closed at 13–12, securing the club’s first winning record and maiden playoff berth. They fell 101–108 to Newcastle in the Elimination Final despite big nights from Redmond (31 points, 11 rebounds), Steurer (21 points, 9 rebounds), Morrissey (20 points) and McLeod (14 points, 14 assists). Page saw minimal court time and went scoreless in the finale.

Andrew Page played three seasons with the Illawarra Hawks.