NBL EXPERIENCE

Darren Shaw made his NBL debut with the Sydney Supersonics on 4/2/1984. He scored eight points in his first game.

1986
Coming off a disappointing 1985 season, the Sydney Supersonics entered 1986 in full rebuild mode. Imports Wayne Kreklow, Jerry Steurer, along with local players like Brett Flanigan, Graham Davis, Tony Wilkerson all departed. To fill the void, Sydney recruited powerful American big man Derrick Polk, versatile forward Audie Matthews (via Brisbane), and young Australian Andrew Svaldenis (via Bankstown).

Last season’s leading scorer for the Supersonics, Kendal “Tiny” Pinder returned for a second NBL season after leading the league in scoring and earning All-NBL First Team honours the previous year. Veterans Wayne Burden, Curt Forrester, Scott Fenton, Darren Shaw, Zoran Zunic, Gavin Kelly, and Nick Stenstrom also returned to provide stability.

Coaching responsibilities shifted as well, with Owen Wells returning for a second stint as Supersonics coach, taking over the helm from Paul Coughter. Wells, a former NBL MVP with the Supersonics, was tasked with guiding a revamped squad back to contention.

Darren Shaw appeared in two games for the Supersonics, contributing 2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1 block during a short mid-season stint. His role came during a period of minor roster shuffling and injury cover. Though limited statistically, Shaw’s presence gave Sydney added depth in the frontcourt rotation.

The Supersonics turned their season around from a 2–8 start to finish 14–12, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1983. Pinder (21.4 points, 16.0 rebounds) and Polk (21.9 points, 13.7 rebounds) forming a dominant inside duo.

Shaw did not feature in the postseason, where Sydney fell to Brisbane in the Elimination Final, but was part of a squad that rebuilt its identity and reignited playoff hopes.

1987
In 1986, the Adelaide 36ers, led by coach Ken Cole, delivered the most dominant season in NBL history (24–2), claiming the championship amid considerable off-court controversy. During the year, Cole publicly acknowledged using marijuana and was suspended by Adelaide management ahead of the Grand Final. In response, the 36ers roster rallied behind their coach, threatening to boycott unless Cole was reinstated. Adelaide’s board eventually yielded, and Cole guided the team to the title. Nevertheless, citing image concerns and sponsor pressure, the club terminated Cole’s contract immediately after the championship—despite immense fan and player support.

That dismissal opened the door for the Sydney Supersonics to land the NBL’s reigning Coach of the Year. Replacing Owen Wells, the flamboyant and inspirational Cole took over the reins in Sydney, bringing not only a new system but an entirely new energy. He quickly set about transforming the culture and roster, aiming to replicate the structure that had brought him success in Adelaide.

Cole’s appointment came alongside sweeping roster changes. Kendal Pinder departed for Perth, and Wayne Burden moved on to Hobart. To fill the void, Sydney signed untested import Marc Ridlen and brought in Bruce Hope (via Geelong) for additional perimeter scoring. Bench depth was rounded out with new faces including Mike Kenny, Robert Croker, and James Hewlett.

Derick Polk returned to anchor the paint for a second season, with support from guard Scott Fenton, emerging forward Andrew Svaldenis and Darren Shaw, hoping to looking to carve out a role in Cole’s rotation in his second year in the league. The Supersonics were reimagined in the image of Cole’s former 36ers team—with Ridlen and Polk positioned as twin towers reminiscent of Mark Davis and Bill Jones, and Fenton in the Al Green mold.

The season began on April 25 with a loss to Eastside Melbourne (98–76), a game Shaw failed to appear in but Polk (21 points, 14 rebounds), Curt Forrester (14 points), and Svaldenis (12 points, 11 rebounds) put up good numbers, while Ridlen struggled on debut (11 points).

Sydney slipped to 0–2 following a 20 points loss to West Sydney (104-124), but the game saw Ridlen, explode for 35 points and 17 rebounds, silencing any early doubts about his abilites. Ridlen then led Sydney through their best stretch came in late May, beginning with a 105–98 win over North Melbourne where Ridlen (31 points, 13 rebounds) and Polk (29 points, 17 rebounds) dominated. In their next outing, Sydney defeated the West Sydney Westars 86–81 in a fiery cross-town showdown, where Shaw finally got some decent minutes, recording 6 rebounds and 2 points, while Polk (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Ridlen (16 points, 17 rebounds) led the team offensively.

On June 13, Sydney stunned third-placed Wollongong with a 104–90 win. Ridlen (31 points, 21 rebounds), Polk (18 points, 7 rebounds), and Matthews (18 points) were the standouts. Shaw contributed 2 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block in 13 minutes—his most impactful appearance of the season—helping Sydney maintain their energy off the bench and defend the paint against a physically imposing Hawks front line.

However, a string of heavy losses in July and early August—including defeats to Canberra (142–117), North Melbourne (138–104), Geelong (102–98), and Newcastle (140–137)—dashed playoff hopes. Shaw continued to see limited action, averaging under 3 points and 3 rebounds across his 7 appearances for the year. While his role remained minor, his presence added size and depth in games where Ridlen and Polk faced foul trouble.

The Supersonics still showed flashes of their potential. In a dominant 129–76 win over Melbourne in August 22 where Ridlen (36 points, 16 rebounds), Matthews (28 points, 12 rebounds) and Polk, who pulled down a season-high 25 rebounds, all had big games.

Marc Ridlen was Sydney’s headline act, exploding for 30+ points in 12 of his final 13 games. His standout outings included 41 points and 22 rebounds vs. Westside Saints (September 5), another 41-point game vs. Newcastle (August 8), and a 40-point, 26-rebound finale vs. Westside (September 18). The Missouri-born import was named to the All-NBL Second Team, an extraordinary achievement for a player on a 9–17 team.

Polk (20.2 points, 12.8 rebounds) remained one of the league’s best interior defenders and rebounders, ranking second in blocks (3.0 per game). Bruce Hope (13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.9 steals) provided a reliable outside scoring presence. Audie Matthews (12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists) and Curt Forrester (12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals) contributed valuable scoring and hustle. Scott Fenton (10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists) led the NBL in free throw percentage.

Darren Shaw (2.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists across 7 games) played a small but steady role in Cole’s rotation as the team finished the year with a commanding 118–98 victory over the Westside Saints on September 18—its final game before the franchise merged with the West Sydney Westars. Ridlen (40 points, 26 rebounds) was dominant, while Polk (18 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks), Forrester (17 points), and Matthews (17 points) rounded out the scoring.

Coach Cole reflected proudly after the game, stating that the team had “finally put it all together for 48 minutes.” That moment proved to be the end of an era, as the Supersonics name was retired and replaced by the newly formed Sydney Kings just weeks later. “The Sonics are dead – long live the Kings,” the Sydney press declared.

While Cole’s lone season in Sydney was marked by growing pains and defensive struggles, it also offered glimpses of promise. Darren Shaw’s contributions may have flown under the radar, but his effort, energy, and professionalism added depth to a squad in transition. As Sydney looked toward a new chapter, the 1987 season stood as a bridge between eras—one defined by transformation, talent, and the first steps toward a new identity in Australian basketball.

Darren Shaw played four seasons the Sydney Supersonics. He averaged 7.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 55 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (837 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.