BIO: Jerry Dennard was born in Merced, California (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jerry Dennard made his NBL debut with the Newcastle Falcons at 24 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.

The 1984 season marked a turning point for the Newcastle Falcons, beginning with the appointment of Dave Ankeney as head coach. A former club legend and the Falcons’ all-time leading scorer at the time, Ankeney replaced Denis Kibble and sought to reshape the team around emerging star Michael Johnson. In the offseason, Newcastle also moved on from American imports George Morrow and Donnie Cruse, bringing in high-flying forward Jerry Dennard and versatile center Jim Bateman to form a new-look frontcourt

The Falcons got off to a blazing start, reeling off five consecutive victories to open the campaign. Their early-season form included a signature 91–80 win over the previously undefeated Brisbane Bullets (6–0), staking their claim as genuine contenders in the Eastern Division. The team remained locked in a tight race for top spot with both Brisbane and Coburg throughout the regular season

While Bateman and Johnson were the focal points offensively, Jerry Dennard proved to be a valuable two-way contributor in his debut NBL season. The athletic American forward averaged 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks across 26 games. His ability to generate turnovers and push the ball in transition made him a constant defensive threat, while his rebounding presence was pivotal in establishing second-chance opportunities

Michael Johnson (21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists) continued his rise as one of the league’s premier young guards, while veteran Ian Davies (19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists) offered a steadying presence on the wing. Bateman (24.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals) anchored the interior, and Ian Robilliard (12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.7 steals) rounded out a highly productive starting five. Both Dennard and Robilliard finished among the league’s leaders in steals, setting the tone for Newcastle’s aggressive defensive approach

As the regular season neared its conclusion, Newcastle found itself in a three-way tie with Brisbane and Coburg for first place. However, a costly 129–117 loss to the Adelaide 36ers proved pivotal. While Brisbane surged to 19–5 and claimed the top seed, Newcastle and Coburg both finished at 18–6. With the season series tied 1–1, Coburg edged out the Falcons for second place on point differential (+4), leaving Newcastle with the third seed and no second chance in the finals format

In the elimination final, Newcastle defeated Illawarra 108–101 behind a balanced team effort. Dennard contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal while shooting 7-of-10 from the free throw line. He played a key role in containing Wollongong’s forwards and converting defence into fast-break opportunities. Bateman (21 points, 12 rebounds), Davies (26 points, 6 rebounds), Johnson (23 points, 8 rebounds), and Robilliard (21 points, 10 rebounds) also delivered strong outings as the Falcons shot 44% from the floor and won the rebounding battle 48–42

Less than 24 hours later, Newcastle’s season came to an abrupt halt in a 132–109 loss to Coburg in the semi-final. The Giants, led by Wayne Carroll (29 points, 7 assists), proved too efficient, shooting 46% and converting 25-of-29 free throws. Dennard added 8 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals in the defeat, again showcasing his defensive versatility despite the loss

Although the Falcons fell short of a Grand Final berth, the 1984 season was the most successful in franchise history. With an 18–6 regular season mark and their first-ever playoff win, Newcastle cemented its place among the NBL’s elite.

Jerry Dennard played eight seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Newcastle Falcons, Hobart Devils and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 200 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.