BIO: Brendan Mann was born in Adelaide (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Central Districts basketball program. Mann received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1994. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1994, 1995).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Brendan Mann made his NBL debut with the Canberra Cannons at 18 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

1996
Canberra again restructured their roster as they looked to find success, moving on from import duo Jervaughn Scales and Fred Cofield, and adding Robert Rose (via Adelaide) and Darnell Mee, who had previously played for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Chris Blakemore (via Adelaide) and rookie Brendan Mann (via AIS), were signed to replace the outgoing Lachlan Armfield (to Newcastle) and Matt Witkowski (to Gold Coast).

Although Rose (27.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.1 steals) had been told he was getting ‘too old’ when released by the 36ers, he delivered an incredible season, being selected to the All-NBL First Team and coming close to winning the MVP award. Mee (15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.7 steals, 1.5 blocks) showcased that he could do it all in this league, while also battling through a serious knee injury that limited his game all season.

The Cannons were able to return to the playoffs this season, finishing in fourth place (16-10).

Mann appeared in 26 games and averaged 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Canberra then met the Sydney Kings (16-10), who finished as the fifth seed behind high-scoring duo Shane Heal and Isaac Burton. In game one, Sydney surprised everyone with Stephen Whitehead (24 points and 5 rebounds) leading the team in scoring and equalling a season high to give the Kings a 24 point victory (113-89). The Cannons would get a huge boost from their supporting cast in game two, with Jamie Pearlman (29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists), David Close (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ray Borner (21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals) as well as Darnell Mee (29 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks) all scoring over 20 points. Rose (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists) finished just shy of a triple-double with Canberra defeating Sydney by 47 points (146-99). The deciding game saw the stars of the series come out firing, with Canberra’s Rose (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Mee (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists) going head-to-head with Sydney’s Heal (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Burton (25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals) but it was the team’s supporting casts that made the difference. Outside of Heal and Burton, the Kings managed to score a mere 43 points, while the Cannons remaining roster tallied 58 points, with Borner (18 points and 7 rebounds), Blakemore (17 points and 6 rebounds), and Pearlman (17 points and 3 assists) all having big games. Canberra closed out the series with the win (101-89) and headed into a semifinal against Melbourne.

Canberra got a huge effort from Simon Dwight (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks) to win the opening game (98-87), combining with Rose (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists), Mee (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) to score a combined 65 points. Andrew Gaze (28 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) finished as the game’s high scorer. Game two saw a very different Melbourne team on the defensive end, forcing Canberra to shoot 35% from the field (30/86) and Rose (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) the only player to score over 13 points. The Tigers trio of Gaze (30 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists), Copeland (23 points and 6 rebounds) and Bradtke (20 points and 7 rebounds) evened the series with an 18-point win (100-82). In the deciding game, the defensive efforts from Rose (21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals) and Mee (18 points and 4 assists) locked down Copeland (6 points and 5 rebounds). Still, it wasn’t enough to stop the Tigers’ other two big guns in Gaze (29 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks) and Bradtke (26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks), who combined to score half of Melbourne’s points. The Tigers eliminated the Cannons in a tightly fought four-point contest (91-87) and moved on to the Grand Final series.

1997
Following their 1996 semifinal appearance, Canberra reshaped its roster when Darnell Mee (to France), David Close, Nick Proud and John Gladwin departed. Mee had battled a serious knee injury throughout the previous season and was not offered another contract, spending 1997 in France rehabilitating, while head coach Brett Flanigan retained Robert Rose, Simon Dwight, Ray Borner, Chris Blakemore, Jamie Pearlman, Brendan Mann and Troy Pilon before signing former Sydney import Mario Donaldson and adding Matt Scalzi (via Geelong), Paul Denman and Daniel Richardson.

Canberra opened the season against North Melbourne at the AIS Arena on April 12, where Mann (0 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists) played 17 minutes, with Donaldson (34 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Rose (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading the Cannons, but Darryl McDonald (27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led the Giants to a 97-83 win.

Mann (6.8 points across 33 games) appeared in every game, playing all 30 regular-season games and all three elimination finals as his role increased significantly during his second NBL season. After playing 12.3 minutes per game as a rookie, he increased his playing time to 25.4 minutes per game and averaged 3 assists as part of Canberra’s backcourt rotation.

Mann’s highest-scoring game came in Newcastle on August 15, where Mann (24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) made 9-of-17 field goals and four three-pointers, with Dwight (33 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Rose (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) providing the other major contributions, but the Falcons defeated Canberra 119-107 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. The 24 points were also his NBL career high.

During the season, Mann was also selected for Australia at the 1997 FIBA 22 and Under World Championship in Melbourne, helping Australia win the gold medal and become the first Australian national men’s basketball team to win gold at a World Championships event.

Rose (23 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games) again led Canberra in scoring and playmaking and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Donaldson (18.9 points and 4.2 rebounds across 33 games) provided another major scoring option. Dwight (16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks across 33 games) produced his best season with the Cannons, led the NBL in blocks and earned All-NBL Second Team selection. Borner (9.3 points and 6 rebounds across 29 games), Pilon (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 32 games), Blakemore (6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds across 18 games) and Pearlman (4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 32 games) provided the other main contributions. An injury ended Blakemore’s season after August 15.

Canberra closed the regular season against Sydney at the AIS Arena on September 27, where Mann (5 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Rose (37 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Donaldson (15 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the Cannons defeat the Kings 98-95 and collect their third consecutive win. Canberra finished sixth with a 15-15 record, going 11-4 at home and 4-11 away after Brisbane claimed fifth place on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Canberra opened its elimination final series against third-seeded North Melbourne at the AIS Arena on October 3, where Mann (12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Rose (22 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Borner (18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led the Cannons to a 104-93 win, while Pat Reidy (25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Andrew Goodwin (23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led North Melbourne.

Game two moved to the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where Mann (9 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Donaldson (25 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Dwight (17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 blocks) led Canberra, but Reidy (26 points and 4 rebounds) and Darryl McDonald (20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) helped North Melbourne win 108-98 and level the series.

Game three remained at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where Mann (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists), Rose (23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) and Pilon (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Canberra, while Reidy (20 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) and Mike Mitchell (17 points) led North Melbourne to a 102-75 win and a 2-1 series victory.

1998
Canberra’s return to the playoffs ended with a first-round loss to North Melbourne in 1997, after which Mario Donaldson did not return and Chris Blakemore (to Brisbane) departed. Head coach Brett Flanigan retained captain Robert Rose, Simon Dwight, Ray Borner, Troy Pilon, Brendan Mann and Jamie Pearlman, while adding Melvin Thomas (via Sydney), Mike McKay (via Brisbane) and Rod Johnson (via North Melbourne).

Canberra opened the season against Sydney at the AIS Arena on February 1, where Mann went scoreless but added 3 assists in 21 minutes. McKay (25 points and 3 rebounds) and Thomas (19 points and 7 rebounds) led the Cannons, while Aaron Trahair (35 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney to a 123-96 victory.

Mann (5.7 points across 23 games) remained part of Canberra’s backcourt rotation during his third NBL season. After appearing in all 30 regular-season games and three playoff games in 1997, his playing time fell from 25.4 to 20.7 minutes per game as he appeared in 23 of Canberra’s 30 games. The Cannons won only one of their opening seven games before recovering to remain in the playoff race late in the season.

Mann’s best and highest-scoring game came against Perth at the AIS Arena on May 29, when he made 8-of-14 field goals, three three-pointers and all four free throws to finish with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Rose (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists) and McKay (16 points and 3 rebounds) provided the other major contributions, while Ricky Grace (37 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth. Canberra defeated the Wildcats 105-95, with Mann finishing one point short of the career-high 24 he had scored the previous season.

Rose (19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 29 games) again led Canberra in scoring and playmaking, while Thomas (18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds across 30 games) became the team’s second-leading scorer. Dwight (15.9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks across 29 games) led the Cannons in rebounding and finished first in the NBL in blocked shots, while McKay (15 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) provided another reliable scorer and Johnson (8.4 points across 30 games) added further backcourt depth. Canberra went 6-9 at the AIS Arena but 8-7 away from home.

Canberra closed the season against Newcastle at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on June 5, where Mann finished with 1 assist and 1 steal without scoring in 15 minutes. McKay (32 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) made 12-of-13 field goals and all seven of his three-point attempts, while Dwight (22 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) controlled the interior. Ben Melmeth (22 points and 17 rebounds) was Newcastle’s best as Canberra won 104-93. The Cannons finished 14-16, level with Wollongong, but the Hawks had won two of their three meetings and claimed sixth place on the head-to-head tiebreaker, leaving Canberra seventh and outside the playoffs.

BRISBANE BULLETS
1998/99
After reaching the semifinals the previous season, Brisbane entered the 1998/99 campaign looking to build on its first playoff series victory since 1993. The Bullets lost Chuck Kornegay, CJ Bruton (to Wollongong), Ben Thompson (to West Sydney) and John Szigeti (retired), while captain Leroy Loggins, Steve Woodberry, Mark Nash and Rodger Smith returned under head coach Brian Kerle. With the NBL moving from a winter to a summer schedule, Kerle signed import Thaddeous Delaney to replace Kornegay in the frontcourt, while Ben Knight and Matthew Shanahan joined after being squeezed out of the North Melbourne Giants and South East Melbourne Magic merger that formed the Victoria Titans. Phil Doherty (via Perth) was also added after leaving the Wildcats in search of more playing time.

Brendan Mann (via Canberra) also joined Brisbane after spending three seasons with the Cannons, where he had developed into a regular backcourt contributor. A member of Australia’s gold medal-winning team at the 1997 FIBA Under-22 World Championship in Melbourne, Mann had averaged 6.8 points and 3 assists across 33 games during the 1997 NBL season. His role diminished the following year, averaging 5.7 points across 23 games as Canberra finished seventh and missed the playoffs. The move to Brisbane offered Mann an opportunity to establish himself in a new backcourt, although he faced competition for minutes behind Woodberry, Smith and Shanahan.

Brisbane opened the season against Canberra at the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 9, where Mann did not play against his former club as the Bullets recorded a convincing 110-78 victory. Woodberry (33 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) made five three-pointers and led Brisbane in scoring, while Doherty (14 points and 11 rebounds) provided a double-double in his first game for the club. Former Bullet Mike McKay (16 points and 6 rebounds) led Canberra, but Brisbane’s experienced scoring combination proved too strong.

Mann (0 points across 2 games) played only a limited role during his first season with Brisbane, making two appearances in December and failing to score in either game. He recorded 1 assist and 2 turnovers in 12 minutes of court time, a significant reduction from the 20.7 minutes per game he had averaged with Canberra the previous season. With Woodberry playing almost every minute and Brisbane relying heavily on its veteran guards, Mann struggled to find opportunities in Kerle’s rotation and did not appear in another game after December 12.

Mann made his Bullets debut against Townsville at the Brisbane Convention Centre on December 5, playing 7:11 minutes off the bench without attempting a field goal. He went scoreless with no rebounds or assists and committed 2 turnovers as Brisbane defeated the Crocodiles 105-97. Loggins (29 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Brisbane in scoring, while Nash (27 points, 16 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) produced his highest-scoring performance of the season. Robert Rose (33 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) made six three-pointers for Townsville, but the Bullets held on to complete their fourth consecutive victory.

Mann’s second and best overall appearance came against Sydney at the Brisbane Convention Centre on December 12, where he played 5:18 minutes and finished with 1 assist while missing his only field-goal attempt, a three-pointer. He committed no turnovers but was called for three fouls as Brisbane fell 103-95 in overtime. Woodberry (38 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) played all 53 minutes, while Smith (21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) provided additional scoring. Acie Earl (33 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Sydney, with Kelsey Weems (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) also productive as the Kings overcame Brisbane in the extra period. The game proved to be Mann’s final appearance of the season, with his two scoreless outings representing his equal highest-scoring games.

Brisbane’s offence continued to revolve around Woodberry (27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals across 28 games) and Loggins (18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games), who remained the Bullets’ two leading scorers throughout the season. Woodberry delivered the best statistical season of his NBL career, winning the 1999 Most Valuable Player award and earning selection to the All-NBL First Team. Loggins continued to provide scoring and defensive pressure despite turning 41 during the campaign, having also been selected to the NBL’s 20th Anniversary Team in 1998.

Brisbane would finish fifth with a 13-13 record, securing a qualifying finals rematch against Melbourne, which Brisbane had swept from the playoffs the previous year. Mann was not part of the playoff rotation, and Melbourne would eliminate Brisbane in two games.

1999/00
After missing out on retaining 1999 NBL MVP Steve Woodberry (to Sydney), Brisbane entered the 1999/00 season looking for a new source of offensive production. Chuck Kornegay had already departed before the previous season, while veteran captain Leroy Loggins was showing signs of slowing down and the Bullets began planning for life after Leroy.

Head coach Brian Kerle signed his son Simon Kerle and Jason Cameron (both via Townsville), adding them to returning players Brendan Mann, Phil Doherty and Mark Nash as he looked to build a local core. Rod Johnson (via Newcastle) provided veteran backcourt leadership, while imports 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.

Mann stepped up into the team’s regular rotation this season, averaging 5.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 28 games.

2000/01
Following a seven-win season, Brisbane appointed Richard Orlick as head coach for 2000/01, but the Bullets struggled through another difficult campaign. Simon Kerle (24.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 27 games) became Brisbane’s leading scorer, with import Randy Rutherford (19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 27 games) providing the other major offensive contribution. Leroy Loggins (16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2 steals across 22 games) remained a key figure in the backcourt, despite turning 43 during the season.

Mann (4.3 points and 3 assists across 7 games) was limited to seven appearances as injuries disrupted Brisbane’s guard rotation. Fellow local guard Damien Ryan (7 points across 6 games) was also restricted to six appearances, leaving Orlick with few consistent backcourt options. The Bullets began the year with CJ Black as an import, but he played only two games before being replaced by Khari Jaxon, whose defensive contributions did little to solve the team’s scoring problems. Wade Helliwell (8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds across 28 games) was the only player to appear in all 28 games, while rookie Lee Barlow (8.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 16 games) played just over half the season. Former Bullet Rodger Smith also returned from the state league for a one-game appearance as Brisbane struggled to maintain a full rotation.

Against Sydney at the Sydney SuperDome on February 16, Mann (3 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) contributed as a reserve playmaker in a 112-106 defeat. Kerle (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Rutherford (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Loggins (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals) carried Brisbane’s offence, but Shane Heal (25 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Sydney to the victory.

Mann (8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) made a three-pointer and three free throws against Townsville on March 15, but Brisbane suffered a 126-63 defeat at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. Helliwell (15 points and 6 rebounds) and Rutherford (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Bullets, while Andrew Goodwin (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) topped Townsville’s scoring and Robert Rose (18 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists) recorded a triple-double.

In Brisbane’s final game against Melbourne at the Convention Centre on March 30, Mann (9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made all five of his free throws as the Bullets fell 103-94 to the Tigers. Loggins (34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) delivered one final outstanding performance, while Rutherford (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, but Andrew Gaze (34 points) and Mark Bradtke (25 points and 16 rebounds) led Melbourne to victory. Brisbane finished 10th with a 4-24 record, one game ahead of Canberra, and Loggins retired after a remarkable 21-season NBL career.

CANBERRA CANNONS
2001/02
After a season playing in Europe, CJ Bruton signed a deal to play with Canberra, aiming to help his father and head coach Calvin turn the team around after a woeful season where the Cannons managed only three wins for the season. Coach Bruton also added players George Banks (via Perth), Brendan Mann (via Brisbane) and rookie big man Cameron Rigby to the roster.

Banks (23.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) would lead the team in scoring while Bruton (19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) led the team in assists. Canberra finished the season with 12 wins and 18 losses and failed to reach the playoffs.

Mann averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for the season.

2002/03
Although Canberra entered 2002 struggling to stay afloat financially, the team added imports Mike Chappell (via Wollongong) and Reginald Poole (via Europe) to the roster and hoped a competitive team would draw enough fans to cover their costs.

With Chappell (21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) leading the team in scoring, alongside Dave Thomas (18.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals), CJ Bruton (15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 steals) and Poole (14.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.2 blocks) the Cannons started the season on fire. The part of the plan that involved building a successful team worked with Canberra winning seven of their first nine games, but by December, Cannon’s ownership couldn’t afford to keep paying the bills, and the team was forced into voluntary administration just three months into the season. Back-up big man Pero Vasiljevic (5.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) and Thomas, who had both just signed two-year deals with the Cannons, exited the club to find alternative employment. A few games later, Bruton and Chappell both requested their release and signed elsewhere also.

Veterans Matthew Shanahan (14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) and Willie Simmons (6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks) were added mid-season to help cover the loss of their starting lineup but it wasn’t nearly enough.

In a combined attempt to raise enough money to keep the team in the league and add a few bodies to the roster, a number of NBL legends made cameo appearances with Cannons throughout the last half of the season. 41-year-old Butch Hays suited up for four games for the Cannons, and Perth Wildcats’ legend James Crawford also came out of retirement for one game. The Cannons’ season ended with the club going 4-17 across their remaining games, and at the end of 2003, Canberra’s licence was moved to Newcastle, where it operated as the Hunter Pirates.

Mann (9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) would be the only member of the starting lineup to remain with the team until the end of the season missing only one game for the entire season.

HUNTER PIRATES
2003/04
As a result of Canberra’s NBL licence moving to Newcastle, former Cannons players Brendan Mann, Matthew Shanahan and Cameron Rigby all came across to the Pirates to form the beginnings of the Pirates roster. Hunter chose not to retain Cannons coach Cal Bruton and signed Bruce Palmer as their first head coach.

Hunter signed rookie point guard Chris Harriman (via Augusta State) straight out of college and filled the remainder of the roster with low-cost imports Kevin Brooks and Chris Brown, local players Josh Morgan and Adam Melmeth, and a number of players who had been discarded by their former clubs like Geordie Cullen (via Wollongong), Michael Kingma (via Sydney) and Travis Lindstrom (via Perth) who were all unable to secure deals elsewhere.

It took six games before the Pirates won their first game, a four-point victory over Adelaide at home (103–99) and then managed to win only one more, a home win against Cairns (109–103) and ended their first season on a 15-game losing streak. Their two win season was the second worst in NBL history (outside of Geelong’s zero win season in 1988).

Initial coach Bruce Palmer was controversially fired partway into the season and was replaced by assistant coach David Simmons but that made little difference to the team’s success.

Cullen (17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) would lead the team in scoring and win the league’s Most Improved Player award at the end of the season. Kevin Brooks (16.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), Matthew Shanahan (15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) and Chris Brown (10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) would lead the team in scoring. Starting point guard Brendan Mann (9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals) suffered a season ending injury only three games into the season, resulting in rookie Chris Harriman (7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4 assists) stepping into the starting lineup. Harriman would narrowly miss out of winning the Rookie of the Year award, finishing second to West Sydney’s Steven Markovic.

2004/05
In the Pirates’ second NBL season, Adrian Hurley was enticed out of semi-retirement to take on the role of head coach. After the club won only two games in its debut campaign, Hurley rebuilt the roster, retaining just three players: Geordie Cullen, co-captain Brendan Mann and Josh Morgan.

Ben Melmeth (via New Zealand), Russell Hinder (via West Sydney), Brad Davidson (via Townsville) and Larry Davidson formed the Pirates’ new-look roster, while imports Brian Wethers and Kavossy Franklin were signed to provide offensive scoring power.

Under the guidance of former Australian national team coach Adrian Hurley, the Pirates improved after a slow start (1-4), recording victories against some of the league’s best teams, including an away win over Perth (83-77) and a win against league leaders Wollongong (90–81). After ten games, the Pirates sat fifth on the ladder (5-5), with much of the credit going to the unselfish play of imports Brian Wethers (24.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) and Kavossy Franklin (20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals).

Mann’s season was disrupted by an injury, and Hunter signed Damon Lowery (via Wollongong) in January 2005 as his injury replacement for the remainder of the campaign.

Wethers was selected to the All-NBL First Team and won the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Franklin earned All-NBL Third Team honours, while Hurley was named NBL Coach of the Year. After winning its final two regular-season games, Hunter secured the last playoff berth and finished eighth with a 15-17 record.

In the elimination final, Hunter lost 99-113 to Brisbane, ending its playoff run.

Mann appeared in 13 games and averaged 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists before his injury ended his season.

Brendan Mann played ten seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Canberra Cannons, Brisbane Bullets and Hunter Pirates. He averaged 5.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 177 NBL games.