NICKNAME/S: The Croatian Sensation

BIO: Frank Drmic was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Dandenong basketball program. Drmic 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).

FAMILY: Frank’s brother, Anthony Drmic also played 278 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Frank Drmic made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Magic at 18 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.

Entering the NBL Frank Drmic had already received comparisons to Andrew Gaze despite being only 18 and yet to play his first professional game. He played 22 games during his rookie season, averaging 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.8 assists and despite receiving minimal game time during the playoffs, he was a part of the Magic’s 1996 championship winning team.

1997
After finishing second with a 19-7 record before defeating the Melbourne Tigers in three games to win the 1996 championship, South East Melbourne retained the majority of Brian Goorjian’s title-winning roster. Billy McCaffrey (departed) and Darren Lucas (retired) exited, while import Brian Tolbert (via Eastern Michigan) and Matthew Moore (via Newcastle) were added. Tony Ronaldson, Sam MacKinnon, Chris Anstey, Mike Kelly, John Dorge, Andrew Parkinson, Jason Smith and Frank Drmic all returned, with Drmic moving into a larger role during his second NBL season following Lucas’ retirement.

South East Melbourne opened the season at the Perth Entertainment Centre on April 11, where Drmic (1 point, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 21 minutes as the Magic defeated Perth 104-84. Tolbert (22 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) and Ronaldson (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) led South East Melbourne, while Anthony Stewart (17 points) was Perth’s leading scorer.

Drmic (8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds across 35 games) appeared in every game for South East Melbourne and established himself as a regular part of Goorjian’s rotation after playing only 22 games and averaging 2.6 points during his rookie season. His minutes increased from 9.3 to 23.1 per game while he shot 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.

One of Drmic’s best all-around performances came against Sydney at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on June 21, where he finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal as South East Melbourne escaped with an 89-88 win. Anstey (24 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Ronaldson (15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led the Magic, while Aaron Trahair (19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) was Sydney’s best.

Drmic’s best scoring game came one week later against the same opponent at Melbourne Park, where he made four three-pointers and finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal on 7-of-10 shooting as South East Melbourne defeated Sydney 127-100. Anstey (30 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocks) and MacKinnon (17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) provided the main support, while Isaac Burton (26 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led the Kings.

During August, Drmic represented Australia at the FIBA World Championship for Men ’22 and Under on home soil, averaging 6.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across eight games as Australia won the gold medal. He also collected the Bob Staunton Award as the men’s MVP at the Australian Under-20 Championships for the second consecutive year.

Another unusual moment came during Shaquille O’Neal’s 1997 Australian tour, when the NBA superstar trained with the reigning champion Magic, with Drmic among the South East Melbourne players on court.

South East Melbourne again relied on one of the league’s deepest rotations, with Ronaldson (16 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 35 games) leading the team in scoring, while MacKinnon (15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 35 games), Anstey (13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.8 blocks across 33 games), Kelly (12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 35 games) and Tolbert (12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 35 games) gave the Magic five double-figure scorers. Dorge (7 points and 6 rebounds across 22 games), Parkinson (5.7 points across 32 games) and Smith (5.6 points across 34 games) provided further depth, while Kelly was named the NBL’s Best Defensive Player and Goorjian shared Coach of the Year honours with Lindsay Gaze as South East Melbourne finished first with a franchise-best 22-8 record.

Finishing first earned the Magic a first-round bye before the semifinals opened in Perth, where Drmic (8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) contributed in 23 minutes as Anstey (19 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 steals) and Ronaldson (18 points) led South East Melbourne to a 92-82 win, while Todd Lichti (20 points and 4 rebounds) and Ricky Grace (19 points and 4 assists) were Perth’s best.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Drmic (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) made four of six shots, while MacKinnon (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Tolbert (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) led South East Melbourne to a 96-69 win and completed the sweep. Grace (16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and David Van Dyke (13 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Perth.

The Grand Final produced a rematch with Melbourne, who had recovered from a 3-9 start after Jarvis Lang (19.1 points and 9.1 rebounds across 15 games) battled knee problems and was released midway through the season. The Tigers replaced him with Marcus Timmons (17.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks across 21 games), signing him after one trial practice before embarking on a franchise-record winning run and finishing second behind South East Melbourne.

Drmic (12 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer and rebounder in game one, but Melbourne overwhelmed the Magic 111-74 behind Lanard Copeland (29 points), Timmons (24 points and 9 rebounds) and Andrew Gaze (23 points and 9 assists).

Goorjian changed the starting lineup for game two, inserting veteran Dorge to add more physicality and moving Anstey to the bench. Drmic (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) made all three of his three-point attempts, while Anstey (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Kelly (10 rebounds) and MacKinnon (6 assists) helped South East Melbourne defeat Melbourne 84-78 and end the Tigers’ 17-game winning streak, with Copeland (29 points), Timmons (12 rebounds) and Gaze (5 assists) leading Melbourne.

A great Australian sporting rivalry!! pic.twitter.com/qVrlKwROkN

— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) March 21, 2023

For the second straight year, the championship came down to game three at Melbourne Park. Drmic (10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 35 minutes and Ronaldson (26 points) led South East Melbourne, but Melbourne broke the game open during the second quarter behind Copeland (26 points and 6 rebounds), Gaze (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists), Mark Bradtke (21 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Timmons (20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals). Warrick Giddey (0 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) delivered three crucial plays, a hard foul that broke MacKinnon’s nose, a block on Drmic and a mid-court screen on Kelly, while Copeland was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 27.6 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 56 percent across the series as Melbourne defeated South East Melbourne 93-83 and won the championship.

1998
After finishing first with a 22-8 record before falling to Melbourne in the 1997 Grand Final, South East Melbourne returned under Brian Goorjian looking to go one step further. Chris Anstey (to Dallas), Brian Tolbert and Matthew Moore departed, while Tony Ronaldson, Sam Mackinnon, Mike Kelly, Frank Drmic, John Dorge, Andrew Parkinson and Jason Smith returned. Goorjian added former NBA guard Clinton McDaniel, Brett Wheeler (via Adelaide) and Ben Knight (via Sydney).

South East Melbourne opened the season against Newcastle at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 30, where Drmic (18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) helped the Magic defeat the Falcons 93-73. McDaniel (19 points, 3 assists, and 5 steals) and Wheeler (17 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Isaac Burton (21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Newcastle.

Drmic (14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3 assists across 34 games) appeared in every game, playing all 30 regular-season games and all four postseason games. After averaging 8.7 points the previous season, he emerged as one of South East Melbourne’s main scoring options and earned All-NBL Third Team honours. His breakout year also put him among the international prospects being tracked ahead of the 1998 NBA Draft.

Drmic’s best game came in Newcastle on April 24, where he finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 block while making 8-of-11 three-pointers as South East Melbourne demolished the Falcons 132-86. McDaniel (22 points, 5 assists, and 7 steals) and Smith (22 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) helped the Magic produce their highest-scoring game of the season.

McDaniel (17.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 steals across 24 games) was sidelined by injury after the Newcastle game, leading South East Melbourne to bring back 1996 championship guard Billy McCaffrey (10.3 points across 7 games) as his injury replacement. McCaffrey played seven games from May 6 through May 27 before McDaniel returned on June 3.

Drmic produced his highest-scoring game against Canberra at the AIS Arena on May 22, finishing with a career-high 32 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals while shooting 13-of-19 from the field and 4-of-4 from three as the Magic escaped with a 104-103 win. Ronaldson (28 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) delivered another huge all-round performance, while McCaffrey added 13 points.

Eight days later, Drmic (24 points, 8 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists) produced another of his best all-round games as South East Melbourne defeated Sydney 110-107 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Ronaldson (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Magic in scoring, while Kelly added 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Ronaldson (18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 34 games) again led South East Melbourne in scoring, while Mackinnon (13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals across 33 games), Kelly (13 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 34 games), Wheeler (12.6 points and 7.1 rebounds across 34 games) and Smith (9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds across 33 games) gave Goorjian one of the deepest rotations in the league. McDaniel led the NBL in steals, Kelly was named Best Defensive Player for the second consecutive season and Smith won the NBL Best Sixth Man award.

South East Melbourne opened the season 6-0 and eventually finished first with a 26-4 record, at the time the third-best regular-season winning percentage in NBL history behind Adelaide’s 24-2 season in 1986 and Geelong’s 21-2 record in 1984. Goorjian was named NBL Coach of the Year for the third time.

The Magic closed the regular season against defending champion Melbourne at Melbourne Park on June 6, where Drmic (12 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) filled the stat sheet, but the Tigers won 110-106. McDaniel (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Kelly (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led South East Melbourne, while Andrew Gaze (33 points and 10 assists) was Melbourne’s best.

Finishing first gave South East Melbourne a first-round bye before the Magic opened their semifinal series against Brisbane at the Brisbane Convention Centre on June 19. Drmic (10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) contributed at both ends as South East Melbourne won 106-98, with Ronaldson (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kelly (25 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) leading the way. Steve Woodberry exploded for 46 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 assist for Brisbane.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Drmic (15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) helped South East Melbourne complete the sweep with a 90-84 victory. Mackinnon (30 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) produced his highest-scoring game of the season and Ronaldson added 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Woodberry again led Brisbane with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. The win sent the Magic into the Grand Final for the third consecutive season.

The Grand Final opened at Adelaide Arena on June 28, where Drmic (9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) made three three-pointers, but Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 100-93. Wheeler (29 points and 9 rebounds) and McDaniel (20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Magic, while Kevin Brooks (24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Adelaide. Remarkably, it was only the second time the 36ers had defeated the Magic since South East Melbourne was formed in 1992.

South East Melbourne entered game two at Melbourne Park having lost only once at home during the regular season, but Adelaide dominated the deciding game. Drmic (8 points and 11 rebounds), Wheeler (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Ronaldson (11 points and 6 rebounds) were unable to prevent a 90-62 loss, while Brooks (21 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Martin Cattalini (20 points and 6 rebounds) led the 36ers. Adelaide held the Magic below 15 points in three quarters, with South East Melbourne committing 26 turnovers and making only 6-of-8 free throws compared with Adelaide’s 14 turnovers and 25-of-33 from the line. The victory delivered Adelaide its first championship since 1986 and saw Brooks named Grand Final MVP. It was also the final NBL game played by the South East Melbourne Magic and the league’s last winter-season game, with the Magic merging with the North Melbourne Giants to form the Victoria Titans for 1998/99 and Drmic among the South East Melbourne players retained by the new club.

VICTORIA TITANS
1998/99
After the NBL’s move to summer, interest in the league had declined, and financially, it had become difficult for Melbourne to sustain three separate clubs. In an effort to boost sponsorship and membership numbers, the South East Melbourne Magic merged with the North Melbourne Giants, who had struggled financially for a number of years.

The team was re-branded to the Victoria Titans and, with the majority of the front office being former Magic owners, a decision was made to retain Brian Goorjian as head coach, leaving Giants coach Brett Brown without a job. Selecting a team generated criticism as Goorjian’s appointment coincided with the decision not to offer Pat Reidy (to Newcastle), then a member of the Australian national team, a spot on the roster.

The Titans completed their roster by signing four players from the Giants roster, Darryl McDonald, Ben Pepper, David Smith, and Paul Maley, and five players from the Magic roster, Jason Smith, Frank Drmic, Brett Wheeler, Mike Kelly and Tony Ronaldson, while Brad Sheridan (via AIS) also joined the new club.

Victoria opened its inaugural season against Melbourne at Melbourne Park on October 10, where Drmic (4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 26:59 minutes, but the Tigers defeated the Titans 99-80. McDonald (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Pepper (15 points and 10 rebounds) were Victoria’s best as the new roster struggled for cohesion in its first game together.

Drmic (10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds) gave Victoria another scoring option on the wing and produced his first major game against Sydney on October 31, finishing with 26 points and 5 rebounds as the Titans defeated the Kings 101-92 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Pepper (19 points and 7 rebounds) and McDonald (12 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists, and 3 steals) helped Victoria collect its second win from its first three games.

Drmic’s highest-scoring game came in Townsville on January 30, where he made six three-pointers and finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, but the Crocodiles defeated Victoria 96-71. Pepper (16 points and 13 rebounds) and Ronaldson (11 points and 5 rebounds) were the other main contributors as the Titans completed a difficult road back-to-back.

Drmic (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) produced another key game against Brisbane on February 20 as Victoria defeated the Bullets 101-95 at Melbourne Park, with Ronaldson (22 points and 9 rebounds) and Wheeler (15 points and 6 rebounds) helping the Titans recover from a one-point loss to Wollongong the previous night.

Ronaldson (16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists), who was named team captain of the new franchise, responded by leading Victoria in scoring and earning club MVP honours. Pepper (12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks) finished second in scoring and led the team in rebounds and blocks, while McDonald (11.1 points, 5 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.4 steals) led both the Titans and the NBL in assists and steals. Smith (11.2 points and 4.1 rebounds), Wheeler (11 points and 5.9 rebounds), Kelly (10.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) and Maley (7.2 points) gave Goorjian seven double-figure scorers as Victoria finished fourth with a 16-10 record, lost only three games at home and entered the playoffs on a four-game winning streak.

Victoria opened the Qualifying Finals at Melbourne Park by defeating Wollongong 96-65 behind Ronaldson (20 points and 4 rebounds), Smith (18 points), Wheeler (15 points and 6 rebounds), Pepper (12 points and 16 rebounds) and Maley (12 points and 5 rebounds), while Drmic (5 points and 3 rebounds) played 30:30 minutes as the Titans took control of the series.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Victoria defeated Wollongong 91-82 and completed the sweep behind Ronaldson (20 points and 4 rebounds), Smith (19 points and 5 rebounds), Wheeler (14 points and 8 rebounds) and McDonald (7 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists, and 5 steals), while Drmic (5 points) played 27:14 minutes in the win.

The semifinals opened at Melbourne Park, where Victoria ground out an 80-77 win over Melbourne behind Ronaldson (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Maley (16 points) and McDonald (11 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists), while Marcus Timmons (31 points and 9 rebounds) led the Tigers. Drmic (2 points and 4 rebounds) played 21:03 minutes in the win.

Game two stayed at Melbourne Park, where Kelly (19 points and 7 rebounds), Pepper (15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and McDonald (13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals) led Victoria to a 94-87 win over Melbourne, completing the sweep and sending the Titans into a Grand Final series against Adelaide. Drmic (11 points and 5 rebounds) played 39:07 minutes in the win.

The Grand Final series opened in Melbourne, where Adelaide made 16 three-pointers and defeated Victoria 104-94 behind Brett Maher (31 points) and Darnell Mee (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists). McDonald (23 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Ronaldson (19 points and 4 rebounds) and Pepper (18 points) led Victoria, while Drmic (12 points and 6 rebounds) played 23:09 minutes.

Game two moved to Adelaide, where Maher (25 points) came out firing for the 36ers, but Victoria slowed the game down and levelled the series with an 88-82 win. Ronaldson (22 points), Wheeler (18 points and 9 rebounds), Smith (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and McDonald (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Titans, while Drmic (4 points and 3 rebounds) played 18:02 minutes as Victoria forced a deciding game.

Game three remained in Adelaide, where more than 7,000 36ers fans saw Martin Cattalini (19 points and 9 rebounds) lead Adelaide and Maher (15 points and 7 rebounds) named Grand Final MVP as the 36ers completed back-to-back championships. Pepper (15 points) and Ronaldson (15 points and 6 rebounds) led Victoria, who shot 26-of-78 from the field, while Drmic (3 points and 6 rebounds) played 20:38 minutes in the 80-69 loss.

1999/00
Victoria entered 1999/00 still chasing the championship that had slipped away in back-to-back Grand Final losses, first as South East Melbourne in 1998 and then as the Titans in 1999. Brian Goorjian kept most of the core together but looked to make the roster younger, with Paul Maley (to Adelaide) and Mike Kelly (to Townsville) exiting, while Nathan Taylor returned and development player Glen Siegle was elevated into the full squad.

Tony Ronaldson, Darryl McDonald, Jason Smith, Frank Drmic, Brett Wheeler, Ben Pepper, David Smith and Brad Sheridan all returned as Victoria again entered the season looking to go one step further.

Victoria opened the season at Melbourne Park on October 2, where Drmic (17 points and 3 rebounds) helped the Titans defeat Townsville 106-95. Smith (29 points and 7 rebounds) and McDonald (19 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led the way as Victoria began its second season as the Titans with a home win.

Drmic (13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds) remained a key part of Victoria’s wing rotation and produced his best scoring game against Melbourne on October 16, finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals as the Titans defeated the Tigers 112-77. Smith (29 points and 4 rebounds), Ronaldson (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Pepper (13 points and 11 rebounds) helped Victoria complete the back-to-back and improve to 3-1.

Drmic delivered another strong game against Melbourne on November 20, finishing with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks as Victoria defeated the Tigers 113-112 at Melbourne Park. Ronaldson (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists), McDonald (23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) and Smith (19 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) helped the Titans survive the one-point win.

Drmic (20 points and 6 rebounds) added another efficient scoring game against West Sydney on December 10 as Victoria defeated the Razorbacks 100-81, with Smith (22 points and 5 rebounds), Ronaldson (21 points) and McDonald (15 points and 13 rebounds) helping the Titans respond after a road win in Brisbane.

Smith (17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals) enjoyed a breakout season, leading Victoria in scoring and earning club MVP honours after increasing his role from the previous year. Ronaldson (16 points and 5.4 rebounds) remained team captain and one of the Titans’ most reliable scorers, while McDonald (13.8 points, 4 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.5 steals) again led both Victoria and the NBL in assists and steals. Wheeler (11.9 points and 7.7 rebounds), Pepper (10.4 points and 6 rebounds) and David Smith (5 points and 3 rebounds) helped Victoria deliver a balanced attack with six players scoring in double figures. The Titans finished fourth with a 20-8 record, built their season around a 11-3 home record and entered the playoffs against Melbourne.

Victoria opened the elimination finals at Melbourne Park, where Melbourne took game one 101-94 despite Smith (22 points and 5 rebounds), McDonald (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Drmic (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) leading the Titans.

Game two stayed at Melbourne Park, where Victoria answered with a 78-70 win behind Ronaldson (18 points and 5 rebounds), McDonald (15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Smith (13 points and 4 rebounds) and Drmic (12 points and 11 rebounds), forcing a deciding game.

Game three remained in Melbourne, where Victoria overcame Andrew Gaze (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and eliminated the Tigers with a 105-96 win. McDonald (29 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals) led the Titans, while Ronaldson (19 points and 7 rebounds), Smith (14 points) and Drmic (14 points and 8 rebounds) helped Victoria move into a semifinal series against Adelaide.

The semifinals opened in Melbourne, where Victoria defeated Adelaide 101-86 behind Ronaldson (26 points and 5 rebounds) and McDonald (24 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), taking game one against the team that had ended the Titans’ previous two seasons. Drmic (4 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) played 30:49 minutes in the win.

Game two moved to Adelaide, where Martin Cattalini (24 points and 7 rebounds) and Darnell Mee (22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led the 36ers back into the series with a 95-72 win. Ronaldson (17 points and 5 rebounds), Drmic (14 points) and Smith (13 points) were Victoria’s main contributors as Adelaide forced another deciding game.

Game three remained at Adelaide Arena, where Victoria finally overcame the 36ers with a 93-89 win behind McDonald (24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Pepper (21 points and 7 rebounds) and Drmic (19 points and 4 rebounds), while Mee (22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) again filled the stat sheet for Adelaide. The win sent Victoria into its second straight Grand Final series and sparked a Titans celebration on court before the series with Perth had begun.

The Grand Final series opened at Melbourne Park, where Perth defeated Victoria 84-78 behind league MVP Paul Rogers (24 points and 20 rebounds). Ronaldson (25 points) led the Titans, while Drmic (13 points and 4 rebounds), Smith (11 points) and McDonald (8 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) kept Victoria within reach.

Game two moved to Perth, where Marcus Timmons (27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals) led the Wildcats to a 83-76 win and was named Finals MVP as Perth completed the sweep. McDonald (25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led Victoria, while Drmic (15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) played 36:50 minutes in the 83-76 loss.

2000/01
In 2001, Drmic averaged 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, and helped guide the Kings to a fifth place finish in the regular season with a 17-1 record.

2006/07

Frank Drmic played eight seasons across four NBL teams. This included the South East Melbourne Magic, Victoria Titans, Sydney Kings and South Dragons. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 255 NBL games.

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