NICKNAME/S: The Chicken Farmer

BIO: John Dorge also known as the “towering chicken farmer” having left his Darling Downs poultry farm at 22 years of age to try-out for the Bullets after coach Brian Kerle spotted the 209cm playing in a Gold Coast tournament.

NBL EXPERIENCE

John Dorge made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 22 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.

John Dorge began his NBL journey in 1985 with the Brisbane Bullets, under the leadership of head coach Brian Kerle. Entering the season hungry for redemption after a heartbreaking Grand Final loss to the Canberra Cannons in 1984, the Bullets retooled their roster, adding the legendary Cal Bruton and young big man John Dorge to an already talent-rich squad. With Kerle now in his second year at the helm, the Bullets produced a dominant regular season, finishing on top of the ladder with a 20–6 record.

The driving force behind Brisbane’s success was Leroy Loggins (27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks), who led the team across multiple categories and finished the season as the league leader in steals. His elite two-way play earned him All-NBL First Team honours.

Loggins wasn’t alone. The returning Cal Bruton (17.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) provided leadership and scoring punch, Ron Radliff (17.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals) added consistent outside shooting and playmaking, and team captain Larry Sengstock (16.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) anchored the frontcourt. Import Audie Matthews (16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals) also gave the Bullets another reliable weapon on both ends.

John Dorge (2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds) produced modest numbers as a rookie, but he saved his best performance for the postseason.

Brisbane received a first-round bye and faced Canberra in the semifinals after the Cannons eliminated Coburg by 23 points. In a rematch of the previous year’s Grand Final, the Bullets got their revenge with a 93–76 victory. Loggins led the way with 28 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, while Bruton added 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Dorge also stepped up with his best game of the season, contributing 9 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.

On the other side of the bracket, Adelaide crushed Newcastle 151–103 to set up a Grand Final showdown between two powerhouse clubs. It was the final time the NBL Grand Final would be decided in a single game. With the championship held at Brisbane’s Sleeman Sports Centre, the Bullets entered as favourites.

Leading 78–74 entering the final period, the Bullets outscored Adelaide 42–21 in the last quarter, setting a Grand Final record for most points scored in a final period and claiming a commanding 121–95 win to secure the club’s first NBL championship.

Dorge (2 points and 6 rebounds) again played a vital role, while Bruton finished (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Larry Sengstock (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Leroy Loggins (41 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) would lead Brisbane to their first NBL championship.

1986
The Brisbane Bullets entered the 1986 NBL season looking to defend their first-ever championship and took a major step forward in exposure and professionalism by moving from the 2,700-seat Chandler Arena into the newly built 13,500-capacity Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

John Dorge (8.6 points and 5.6 rebounds) would double his scoring and rebounding output in his second NBL season, playing a key role for a Brisbane team that finished the regular season in second place behind the Adelaide 36ers—whom they had famously beaten in the previous year’s Grand Final.

The driving force behind Brisbane’s success once again was Leroy Loggins (29.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks), who delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in league history. He was again supported by Ron Radliff (16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals), Calvin Bruton (16.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals), and Larry Sengstock (12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks), forming a well-rounded and experienced core.

The 1986 NBL Grand Final series marked a historic shift for the league, with the championship expanded from a one-game playoff to a best-of-three format—prompted by the high-profile nature of the rematch between Brisbane and Adelaide.

Game 1 was held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in front of a then-record Australian indoor crowd of over 11,000 fans, including international cricketers Greg Chappell and Ian Botham. The Bullets held strong through most of the contest, but after both Leroy Loggins and Larry Sengstock fouled out in the fourth quarter, the 36ers capitalised and claimed a 122–119 overtime win.

Game 2 moved to Adelaide’s Apollo Stadium, where the 36ers had gone 14–0 during the regular season. Brisbane shocked the home crowd with a dominant 104–83 win, handing Adelaide their first loss at home all year and forcing a deciding Game 3.

Game 3, also played in Adelaide, turned when Loggins fouled out in the third quarter. Without their superstar, Brisbane couldn’t keep pace. The 36ers pulled away to win the championship decider 113–91, reversing the result of the 1985 Grand Final and ending the Bullets’ bid for back-to-back titles.

Other contributors throughout the season included David Nelson (9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists), Danny Morseu (6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists), Chris McGraw (4.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), and Robert Sibley (5.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists), adding valuable depth to a strong Brisbane rotation that once again reached the league’s biggest stage.

1987
In 1987, Dorge played a major role in Brisbane finishing the regular season in second place behind Adelaide, averaging 11.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Due to finishing in the top two during the regular season Brisbane received a first round bye in the 1987 playoffs, where they would face the winner of the Illawarra Hawks / North Melbourne Giants elimination finals series. After the Hawks defeated the Giants 105-97, the Bullets would win game one (109-87), lose game two in a nail-biter (77-78) before earning a spot in the 1987 NBL Grand Final after winning game three 100-82.

The Bullets, who were making their fourth consecutive grand final appearance, would face the Perth Wildcats who had upset the defending champion 36ers in their three-game semi-final series.

Dorge played 21 minutes in the first game and added 5 points and 5 rebounds in the first game as the Bullets took game one in Perth by a single point, 80-79.

Game 2 came much more easily to the Bullets who after a tight first half (47-44) destroyed the Wildcat’s in the second half, outscoring them by 16 points. With Brisbane safely holding onto a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, Dorge saw 20 minutes of action in game two and contributed 7 points and 10 rebounds in the deciding game.

1988
The Bullets entered 1988 looking to defend their championship and secure a third title in four years. With head coach Brian Kerle at the helm, the team retained the core of its 1987 championship roster. The only offseason changes came on the bench, with James Carr and Paul Webb departing and being replaced by two rookies—17-year-old Shane Heal and Simon Kerle.

John Dorge (7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.3 assists) appeared in 25 games during the 1988 season, continuing to provide size, toughness, and rim protection in Brisbane’s frontcourt. While his offensive role remained limited, his presence was a key part of the Bullets’ interior defense and physicality in the paint.

Brisbane remained one of the league’s top contenders throughout the regular season and held second place with just two rounds remaining. However, a costly 97–105 home loss to Canberra dropped them into a tie with the North Melbourne Giants at 18–6. With the head-to-head split at 1–1, the Giants claimed second place on for-and-against (+9), relegating the Bullets to third.

The team was once again led by Leroy Loggins (24.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals), who was named to the All-NBL First Team for the seventh consecutive year and led the league in free throw percentage at 85.6%. Import Emery Atkinson (16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks) provided a strong two-way presence in the frontcourt, while veterans Larry Sengstock (11.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals) added stability and experience.

One of the highlights of the season was the emergence of 17-year-old rookie Shane Heal (15.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists), who quickly made a name for himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents. Playing 27 minutes per game and backing up starting point guard Darren Perry (6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals), Heal won the NBL Rookie of the Year award with ease.

Brisbane’s third-place finish meant they missed out on a direct path to the semi-finals and were instead forced into a sudden-death quarterfinal against the sixth-seeded Perth Wildcats. Playing at home at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Bullets entered as strong favourites.

Leroy Loggins (31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals) while playing 45 minutes, Larry Sengstock (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Emery Atkinson (12 points and 8 rebounds) did their best inside, and John Dorge (6 points and 3 rebounds) made an impact in just 10 minutes of action.

Despite those efforts, Brisbane struggled from the perimeter, hitting just 2-of-16 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Perth shot a blistering 52% from the field, led by former Bullets champion Calvin Bruton, who torched his old team with 31 points, 4 assists, and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. James Crawford (26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks) dominated the paint and disrupted Brisbane’s interior attack, as the Wildcats handed the Bullets a 98–113 loss that ended their season and denied them a fifth straight Grand Final appearance.

1989
Brisbane entered the 1989 NBL season facing significant change after losing two of their top three scorers from the previous year—rising star Shane Heal (to Geelong) and import Emery Atkinson (to Canberra). In response, the club brought in American forwards Winston Crite and Greg Giddings to help carry the scoring load and provide a physical presence in the paint.

John Dorge (8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) continued to improve his production for the fifth consecutive season and remained a reliable contributor in the frontcourt.

Leroy Loggins (22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks) once again led by example and finished as the team’s top scorer and defender. However, for the first time since 1981, he was not selected to the All-NBL First Team—likely a reflection of the team’s underwhelming record. New import Winston Crite (20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) delivered strong individual numbers but failed to form the same one-two punch with Loggins that previous imports had.

Veterans Larry Sengstock (12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals) continued to play important roles, though both were showing signs of decline as their output began to taper off.

Meanwhile, Robert Sibley (15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) made a notable leap in production, emerging as a dependable frontcourt contributor after averaging 8.6 points the previous season. His expanded role gave Brisbane a much-needed secondary scoring option.

Despite several strong individual campaigns, the Bullets couldn’t rediscover the chemistry or depth that had made them a dominant force throughout the 1980s. Brisbane finished the regular season in eighth place with an 11–13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983.

GEELONG SUPERCATS
1990
John Dorge joined the Geelong Supercats ahead of the 1990 NBL season after five years with the Brisbane Bullets, becoming a key piece of a major roster overhaul led by head coach Barry Barnes. The Supercats were desperate to reverse their recent struggles and added Dorge to a revamped frontcourt that also included Vince Hinchen (via Westside Melbourne) and import Brian Vaughns (replacing Aubrey Sherrod).

Dorge (15.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.6 blocks) delivered one of the best seasons of his career, averaging a double-double and establishing himself as the Supercats’ interior anchor on both ends of the floor. His shot-blocking and rebounding gave Geelong a much-needed defensive presence, and he remained a consistent contributor in a lineup dominated by high-octane guards.

Geelong’s season began poorly, with the team dropping its first four games despite solid numbers from Vaughns (17.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks). Vaughns was quickly released, paving the way for explosive guard Bobby Locke to join the roster. Locke lit up the Wollongong Hawks for 50 points in one of the most memorable NBL debuts in league history and injected new life into the struggling side.

With Locke (31.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals) leading the scoring load, and 19-year-old Shane Heal (22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.7 steals) having a breakout campaign that earned him the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, the Supercats began to show glimpses of their potential. Daren Rowe (18.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 3.2 blocks) led the league in blocks and gave Geelong valuable two-way production, while Dorge quietly remained a pillar in the frontcourt throughout the highs and lows.

Although the team continued to battle inconsistency, they ultimately secured 11 wins—more than they had managed in the previous two seasons combined. Geelong finished the regular season in 10th place with an 11–15 record, falling short of the playoffs but taking a clear step forward in their development. Dorge’s veteran leadership and elite interior play proved crucial in stabilising a new-look roster and helping set the foundation for future success.

1991
Having won just 16 games across the previous three seasons, the 1991 Geelong Supercats entered the NBL season with modest expectations. But thanks to a talented starting five, a revamped team culture, and a key financial boost from a local ownership group of four major stakeholders and around 30 shareholders, the Supercats turned into one of the league’s biggest surprises—finishing with a 17–9 record and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1984.

There were key roster changes before the season began. Import forward Daren Rowe departed the club and was replaced by Terry Dozier, a long and athletic defender who would go on to win the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award. Young wing Andrew Parkinson also exited (to Southern Melbourne), opening the door for rookie Leigh Cleary to join the bench rotation.

Geelong’s 1991 campaign began how most predicted, with a rough 0–3 start following losses to North Melbourne (109–112), Eastside Spectres (100–119), and Perth (105–110). But the Supercats broke through with a road win over Brisbane (126–106), sparking a stunning turnaround that saw them win 16 of their remaining 22 games.

Led by head coach Barry Barnes, Geelong’s starters logged heavy minutes and delivered elite production across the board. Bobby Locke (25.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 3.0 steals) led the NBL in steals and ranked among the league’s top scorers in his first full season. Vince Hinchen (24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists) and Shane Heal (23.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists) gave the team dynamic offensive firepower in the backcourt, while Terry Dozier (22.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) anchored the defence and added scoring versatility. Inside, John Dorge (14.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks) dominated the paint and led the NBL in blocked shots.

All five starters averaged over 33 minutes per game, with Jim Bateman (7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) providing steady contributions off the bench. Bruce Hultgren, Leigh Cleary, Mark Griffin, and Shane Crothers rounded out the supporting cast, helping to balance out a tight rotation built around defense and cohesion.

The Supercats’ 17–9 finish tied them with Eastside for second place, but the NBL’s head-to-head tiebreaker rule pushed Geelong down to third. Though both teams split their two meetings 1–1, the Spectres had a +1 point differential across those games, handing them the higher seed.

Once into the playoffs, Geelong would face North Melbourne in Game 1 at home, where the Supercats put on a clinic. Shane Heal exploded for 36 points, 11 assists, and nine triples, while Vince Hinchen added 31 points and Terry Dozier chipped in 17 points and 13 rebounds. John Dorge added 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds, and six blocks in one of his best performances of the year. Geelong shot 57% from the field and overwhelmed the Giants 139–119 in a complete team effort that set the tone for the series.

North Melbourne regrouped and evened the series with a 136–116 win at home in Game 2, forcing a decisive third game back in Geelong. In Game 3, the Supercats fought hard but were ultimately overpowered by the Giants 125–113. Despite solid efforts from Locke (31 points), Heal (27 points), and Hinchen (23 points), Geelong had no answers for the interior strength of Paul Maley (24 points, 12 rebounds) or the elite shot-making of Scott Fisher (30 points on 14-of-20 shooting). Dorge also contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in the final game of the season.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE MAGIC
1992
At the end of 1991, the South Melbourne Saints were in financial crisis and unable to continue operations. In a landmark move, they merged with cross-town rivals the Eastside Melbourne Spectres to form a new NBL franchise: the South East Melbourne Magic. With the Spectres having come within one game of a championship the previous season, head coach Brian Goorjian was retained to lead the newly formed club. Only two Saints players were carried over—Andrew Parkinson and Andrej Lemanis—joining a proven Spectres core that included Bruce Bolden, Tony Ronaldson, Darren Lucas, Scott Ninnis, and Darren Perry.

To finalise the Magic’s inaugural roster, import Milt Newton was recruited alongside John Dorge, who arrived from Geelong after leading the NBL in blocked shots in 1991. The 7-foot centre brought size, defensive intensity, and a proven interior presence to an already physical lineup. Dorge (12.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks) led the league in blocked shots for the second straight year and quickly established himself as a defensive anchor under Goorjian’s disciplined system.

With Dorge patrolling the paint and forming a powerful frontcourt tandem with Bruce Bolden, the Magic opened the 1992 season in imposing fashion—winning six of their first seven games. While Newton (15.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals) was productive early, the team made a bold move mid-season by releasing him and signing former LA Clippers guard Rob Rose. From that point on, the Magic surged to a 20–4 regular season record and remained unbeaten at home (12–0). Goorjian earned NBL Coach of the Year honours, and the Magic entered the playoffs as the top seed, with Dorge’s rim protection, rebounding, and physicality pivotal to the team’s success on both ends of the floor.

🏀 THROWBACK THURSDAY 💫

Did you believe in Magic? How could you not with this old tune! Before the days of @SEMelbPhoenix we had the South East Melbourne Magic. Do you remember how many NBL Championships Magic had to their name? Read more – https://t.co/OezFZFpFDS #HoopsAtHome pic.twitter.com/mQfmy7kiG4— Basketball Victoria (@Basketball_Vic) April 16, 2020

In the playoffs, Dorge was a constant defensive force. He helped the Magic sweep both the Canberra Cannons and North Melbourne Giants to reach the Grand Final, where they would face the third-placed Melbourne Tigers, led by scoring machine Andrew Gaze (33.8 points per game) and athletic import Lanard Copeland (28.1 points).

In Game 1 of the Grand Final, South East Melbourne suffered a massive blow when starting point guard Darren Perry tore his ACL just 11 minutes into the match. The Tigers capitalised, running out 116–98 winners behind Copeland’s 34 points and Gaze’s 26. Dorge was solid in the loss, finishing with 13 points (6/12 FG), 12 rebounds (including five offensive), and a block in 25 minutes. His presence on the boards kept the Magic competitive, despite the backcourt setback.

Game 2 saw the Magic bounce back in dominant fashion. With Lucas stepping into the backcourt, and Scott Ninnis limiting Copeland to just 14 points, Dorge again played his role to perfection. He tallied 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, pulled down 8 rebounds, and added 2 blocks in 29 minutes. His interior play helped neutralise the Tigers’ frontcourt and gave the Magic a platform to even the series with a 115–93 victory.

The deciding Game 3 was one of the most intense in NBL history. The Magic brought suffocating defence, and Dorge’s rim protection played a vital role in containing the Tigers’ attack. He contributed 9 points (4/8 FG), 6 rebounds, and a massive 5 blocks in 24 minutes. His timing and presence at the rim helped limit Andrew Gaze to just 18 points on 5-of-19 shooting. As the Magic closed out a 95–88 win to clinch the championship, Dorge’s defensive mastery in the paint stood tall—literally and figuratively.

While Finals MVP honours went to Bruce Bolden, Dorge’s role in the Magic’s inaugural championship season was undeniable. He provided the backbone to a league-best defence, delivered consistent interior production, and played a key role in all three games of the Grand Final series. In one of the most dominant team debut seasons in Australian basketball history, John Dorge was the anchor in the middle—blocking shots, grabbing boards, and doing the gritty work that made “One Magic Year” possible.