NICKNAME/S: JR

BIO: John Peter Rillie was born in Toowoomba (QLD) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Toowoomba Mountaineers basketball program. Following the completion of his collegiate career, Rillie spent 16 years playing professional basketball internationally. From 1995-2009 he enjoyed stints with the Brisbane Bullets (1995), Adelaide 36ers (1996-98), West Sydney Razorbacks (1998-02 and 2003/04) and Townsville Crocodiles (2004-09), and spent 2009/10 with the New Zealand Breakers. Rillie also played one season (2002) with AEK Athens of the Euroleague.

NBL EXPERIENCE

John Rillie made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 23 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.

Rillie joined a Bullets team on the rebound in 1995, having list to Adelaide in the Quarterfinals the previous season. The early exit saw Brisbane revamp their frontcourt, releasing import forwards Dave Colbert and Andre Moore as well as veteran forward Shane Froling. Brisbane signed young centre Andrew Goodwin and Mike Mitchell from Queensland rivals Gold Coast and brought in Chris Munk as their replacements.

Rillie was a late addition to the team and came into the club as a backup point guard to Shane Heal. Leroy Loggins, Rodger Smith, Robert Sibley and Wayne Larkins also returned.

During season Heal (22.9 points and 7.4 assists), Loggins (21.7 points and 7.5 rebounds) and Mitchell (20.9 points and 6.8 rebounds) would carry the team offensively but the new look Bullets didn’t fare any better than the old ones. Brisbane finished in fifth place with a record of 16-10 before being eliminated again during the Quarterfinalsstage, losing to North Melbourne, 0–2.

Additionally, young gun John Rillie averaged 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists for the season and took home the NBL Rookie of the Year award.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1996
After losing to Perth in the semifinals in 1995, a series which included a vicious elbow from Chris Blakemore to the head of Wildcats forward Martin Cattalini, head coach Mike Dunlap had lost favour with Blakemore and 36ers MVP Robert Rose, who both left the team and signed with the Canberra Cannons. Long distance specialist Mike McKay also found Dunlap hard to play for a he left to play with the Brisbane Bullets.

Despite this the 36ers recruited well going into the 1996 NBL season, signing slam dunking forward Leon Trimmingham from the Sydney Kings and, funnily enough, Martin Cattalini from the championship winning Perth Wildcats. John Rillie, who was coming off a Rookie of the Year winning season with Brisbane also signed to play alongside Brett Maher and new import Rick Brunson (who had just narrowly missed out on being drafted to the NBA) in the backcourt.

Rillie averaged 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists alongside stars Trimmingham (22 points per game), Brunson (19 points and 7 assists per game), Brett Maher (16 points and 4 rebounds per game), who would be selected to play for the Australian Boomers at the 1996 Olympic Games mid-season, John Rillie (14 points per game) and Davis (13 points and 8 rebounds per game).

Following the sudden death of his father after the 1996 season, coach Dunlap returned home to the United States and decided to stay there to be closer to his family. The team finished in sixth place with a record of 16-10.

The 36ers defeated arch-rivals Perth Wildcats in the quarterfinals before being eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champs the South East Melbourne Magic in two straight games.

This season would also be Dunlap’s last with the team after he requested the team release 36ers legend Mark Davis and focus on the team’s younger players. Since joining the 36ers, Dunlap had been systematically removing the older players from the squad, but the club board instead retained Davis (who went on to play another four seasons) and agreed that Dunlap would not return as coach.

John Rillie finds Leon Trimmingham for the Stuff!!! Anyone remember how this game ended?? I will post the video of the ending later. @johnrillie @Adelaide36ers pic.twitter.com/VYifbyhOxf

— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) March 13, 2023

1997
Having just shown head coach Mike Dunlap the door, the 36ers hired his assistant and former Gold Coast Rollers coach Dave Claxton as his replacement for the 1997 NBL season. While Adelaide was able to retain the majority of its roster this season, the only changes being the addition of Rupert Sapwell (Geelong) and replacing import guard Rick Brunson, who returned to the US, with ibig man Jeff Brown. Perhaps the biggest change to the roster wasn’t during free agency, but when Brett Maher was handed the team captaincy from club legend Mark Davis (something he would hold until his retirement in 2009).

Rillie averaged 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in what would be a lacklustre season for the 36ers. While Brown (7.7 points and 3.8 rebounds) had been signed to pair with 36ers leading scorer Leon Trimmingham (19.4 points and 8.3 rebounds) and Mark Davis (9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds) it became apparent six games that he wasn’t the player the 36ers needed and he was quickly replaced with 35 year old, former 36ers big man Willie Simmons (5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds) who hadn’t played in the NBL since 1994. Needless to say Adelaide struggled through the remaining games and finished in 7th place (with a 14–16 record) and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

1998
At the end of 1997, the 36ers replaced head coach Dave Claxton, who was only signed by the club at the last moment due to unexpectedly losing Mike Dunlap. He was only signed for one season and was subsequently replaced by rookie coach and former player Phil Smyth. Smyth had been hired without any head coaching experience. In fact, his only previous coaching experience being a specialist coach at the Australian Institute of Sport during his playing days in Canberra.

During the off-season, local product Brett Maher engaged in serious talks with the Sydney Kings and almost moved to the nation’s capital to form a all-Australian backcourt with Aaron Trahair. Ultimately, he decided to re-sign with the Adelaide 36ers, who then recruited 205 cm centre Paul Rees (via North Melbourne).

Shortly after, Smyth signed Canberra Cannons guard Darnell Mee who had just spent a season in France after rehabilitating the knee that limited his productivity in his first NBL season.

Once signed, Mee recommended his former teammate Kevin Brooks to the 36ers, and they signed the former NBA forward to a two-year deal. After his first training session with the team, Brooks’ teammates thought he wouldn’t last a week in the NBL with a shooting style that saw him release the ball almost from behind his head. However, they soon found Brooks (19.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists) was for real as he went on to lead the team in points per game with Brett Maher (17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) and Mee (14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4 assists) providing the additional scoring punch.

The 36ers’ gamble on Smyth’s playing experience translating into coaching success also paid off, with Adelaide recording the most wins since 1988 and finished in second place (19–11).

Rillie also added 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

Brett Maher’s led the 36ers into the playoffs for the first time as captain and delivered a emphatic punch to Perth’s playoff chin. The 36ers seized a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semi-final series behind a sensational 36-point career-high game by Maher, who also led the Sixers with six assists (shooting 74 percent, including 7-of-11 three-pointers). Darnell Mee was his usual effective self, adding a game-high 14 rebounds to his 16 points as he terrorised Perth’s backcourt and set a aggressive defensive tone from the outset. Adelaide would defeat Perth, just as easily as it had in game one (117–110), to set up a Grand Final match-up against South East Melbourne.

Adelaide was not expected to defeat the Brian Goorjian led Magic, who had compiled a 26-4 record during the regular season and then swept the Brisbane Bullets in the semifinals. In game one, Brooks finished game-high scorer with 24 points (10/18 shooting), and 8 rebounds as the 36ers stunned all, delivering a 100-93 defeat to the defending champs on their home court. Amazingly, game one of the Grand Final was only the second time the 36ers had defeated the Magic since the Eastside Melbourne Spectres and Southern Melbourne Saints had merged to form the Magic in 1992.

The 36ers, who had started the season off slowly, had really found their form by the time of the Grand Final series and, come game two, obliterated the Magic at home (90-62). Adelaide held the Magic to less than 15 points in three of the game’s quarters. Kevin Brooks (21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks) was again the star, with Martin Cattalini (20 points and 6 rebounds) also a key contributor in a game decided by turnovers (the Magic finished with 26 turnovers compared to the 36ers’ 14) and free throws (The 36ers shot 25 from 33 from the free throw line compared to the Magics 6 from 8).

Adelaide collected their first NBL championship since 1986, and Kevin Brooks was named Grand Final MVP in what was the last winter season for the National Basketball League.

WEST SYDNEY RAZORBACKS
1998/99
The 1998/99 season marked the debut of the West Sydney Razorbacks, a newly established franchise led by General Manager Robbie Cadee and head coach Gordie McLeod. The team assembled a competitive roster featuring former league MVP Derek Rucker (via Townsville), veteran forward Bruce Bolden (via Sydney), elite shot-blocker Simon Dwight (via Canberra), and sharpshooter John Rillie, who joined after winning a championship with Adelaide.

West Sydney wasted no time making an impression in their inaugural game, defeating the Sydney Kings (103-97) on the road. They backed up their strong start with another victory over Canberra (104-89) before falling in a closely contested matchup against Newcastle (87-89).

The Razorbacks continued to show promise in the early rounds, securing back-to-back road wins over Adelaide (112-95) and Perth (98-95) to become the first team in NBL history to complete the “Doomsday Double.” However, consistency became an issue as the season progressed. A road loss to Wollongong (91-100) and a home defeat to Victoria (81-92) exposed the team’s struggles in closing out games.

John Rillie (17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier perimeter threats, leading the NBL in three-point shooting at 47.5%. His ability to space the floor complemented team captain Derek Rucker (20.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists), who controlled the offense, while Simon Dwight (14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks) dominated defensively, finishing as the league leader in blocked shots. Bruce Bolden (15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) played a crucial role coming off the bench, earning the NBL Best Sixth Man award.

Despite Rillie’s efficient shooting and all-around contributions, West Sydney struggled with inconsistency in the latter half of the season. A heavy defeat to Victoria (73-101) and a tough 19-point loss to Melbourne (90-109) made it increasingly difficult to stay in the playoff race. However, one of the highlights of the campaign came in a home victory over Sydney (78-72), where the Razorbacks’ defense limited their rivals to just 72 points.

West Sydney finished their inaugural season in eighth place on the NBL ladder (12-14), with road struggles proving to be a decisive factor in missing the playoffs.

1999/00
The Razorbacks’ second season saw head coach Gordie McLeod look to build on their inaugural campaign. The team’s core remained intact, with import Cheikh Ya Ya Dia replacing Ernest Nzigamasabo in the frontcourt and Greg Blake (via Newcastle) being the only other major addition. John Rillie, coming off a strong first season with West Sydney, was expected to be a key contributor once again, providing perimeter scoring and playmaking.

West Sydney opened the season with a dominant victory over Brisbane at the Sydney SuperDome (98-82). A convincing win over Victoria (104-78) followed in round two, and a statement victory over Perth (95-85) saw the Razorbacks start the season 3-0.

Rillie (18.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists) continued to be one of the NBL’s most lethal outside shooters, spacing the floor and providing offensive firepower alongside team captain Derek Rucker (20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists). His efficiency from beyond the arc made him one of the Razorbacks’ most dangerous offensive weapons, complementing the inside presence of Simon Dwight (14.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks), who led the league in blocked shots for the second consecutive season. Cheikh Ya Ya Dia (13.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) brought much-needed depth in the frontcourt, while Bruce Bolden (11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) provided valuable leadership and experience.

As the season progressed, inconsistency became a recurring issue. A 101-86 road loss to Brisbane marked the team’s first defeat, followed by another setback against Perth (102-113) in round seven. The Razorbacks bounced back with key wins over Canberra (103-90) and Melbourne (121-107), but costly road defeats, including a 19-point loss to Victoria (81-100) and a heavy defeat to Canberra (94-121), hindered their ability to climb higher in the standings.

One of the defining moments of the season came in round 11 when the Razorbacks faced Sydney at the SuperDome. In front of a record-breaking NBL crowd of 17,803 fans, West Sydney secured a hard-fought 88-81 victory over their crosstown rivals. Rillie played a crucial role in the win, hitting timely shots and keeping the Kings’ defense on edge.

The Razorbacks finished the regular season in sixth place with a 12-16 record, securing their first-ever playoff berth. In the elimination finals, West Sydney hosted Perth in game one at the Whitlam Centre and came away with a 91-80 victory, with Rillie making key contributions as a scorer and facilitator.

Game two shifted to Perth, where the Wildcats responded with a 99-88 win, setting up a decisive third game. Back at the Perth Entertainment Centre, the Wildcats proved too strong, defeating the Razorbacks 82-74 to eliminate them from the playoffs.

2000/01
After securing their first-ever playoff appearance the previous season, the Razorbacks entered the 2000/01 campaign with high expectations. The team moved from Liverpool’s Whitlam Centre to the larger State Sports Centre in Homebush Bay, signaling their intent to establish themselves as a long-term force in the NBL. Head coach Gordie McLeod retained the core group, led by captain Derek Rucker, with key contributors John Rillie, Simon Dwight, Cheikh Ya Ya Dia, and Bruce Bolden returning. Scott McGregor (via Sydney) was the team’s major offseason addition, while the naturalisation of Bolden allowed the club to sign an additional import in Jason Singleton.

West Sydney opened the season in dominant fashion, defeating Wollongong 115-97, with Rillie playing a key role in their efficient offensive display. However, the early momentum was quickly derailed as the Razorbacks dropped three consecutive games, falling to Victoria (93-110), Adelaide (94-114), and Townsville (96-112). A hard-fought road win over Cairns (103-99) temporarily steadied the ship, but inconsistency plagued the team for much of the season.

John Rillie (19.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists) remained one of the NBL’s most complete offensive players, providing outside shooting, rebounding, and playmaking. His ability to stretch the floor complemented the inside presence of Simon Dwight (16.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks), who continued to anchor the defense while leading the league in blocked shots for the third straight year. Rucker (19.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists) controlled the tempo, while Ya Ya Dia (15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) brought physicality to the frontcourt, and Bolden (12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) provided veteran experience.

The team’s struggles became evident in round four when they fell to Sydney (101-113), unable to match their crosstown rivals in key moments. Consecutive losses to Victoria (101-112) and Perth (91-92) saw the Razorbacks slip further down the standings. A strong 114-92 victory over Brisbane in round 10 gave the team a boost, while a commanding 121-93 win over Melbourne in round 15 showcased the potential of their offensive firepower.

Midseason changes disrupted the roster, as Jason Singleton (12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) was released after 12 games. In February, former NBA player James Cotton was signed as a late-season addition, but he made little impact, playing just three games and averaging 4.3 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.7 assists before also being released.

Despite Rillie’s consistent production, the Razorbacks were unable to generate sustained success, dropping key games late in the season, including losses to Perth (75-110), Melbourne (101-125), and Sydney (101-122).

West Sydney finished the season in eighth place with a 9-19 record, missing the playoffs after back-to-back postseason appearances.

2001/02
After a disappointing 2000/01 season, the Razorbacks entered the 2001/02 campaign determined to return to the playoffs. The team made a major offseason acquisition in Sam MacKinnon (via Townsville), a versatile two-way player expected to be a game-changer. However, MacKinnon suffered a knee injury before the season, ruling him out for the entire year. To counter his absence, West Sydney signed import Phil Handy and forward David Hinton to provide additional depth alongside the returning core of John Rillie, Derek Rucker, Simon Dwight, Bruce Bolden, Cheikh Ya Ya Dia, and Scott McGregor.

The Razorbacks opened the season with a road loss to Sydney (99-117) but rebounded with a dominant 107-81 victory over Wollongong. Rillie was instrumental in the win, delivering an all-around performance to help the team find early-season momentum. West Sydney followed up with consecutive victories over Melbourne (110-89) and Perth (119-98), establishing themselves as a legitimate contender.

John Rillie (22.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) emerged as the Razorbacks’ primary offensive weapon, leading the team in scoring while also contributing across multiple facets of the game. His perimeter shooting was a key factor in West Sydney’s success, as he led the league in three-point percentage (47.4%). Alongside Rillie, Simon Dwight (17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks) anchored the defense, winning the NBL Best Defensive Player award, while Derek Rucker (16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists) provided veteran leadership. Bruce Bolden (13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) and Phil Handy (11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) rounded out a balanced Razorbacks attack.

A November slump saw the Razorbacks fall to Brisbane (104-108) and Sydney (98-114), but the team responded with a statement victory over Cairns (130-80), with Rillie’s efficient scoring fueling the blowout win. The team remained competitive throughout the season, securing key victories over Perth (106-99) and Victoria (81-79), though they struggled in losses to Melbourne (85-104) and Adelaide (93-104).

One of the season’s most memorable performances came on February 9, when the Razorbacks dismantled Sydney 124-95 at the SuperDome. Rillie was a standout performer, torching the Kings’ defense from beyond the arc and further cementing his status as one of the NBL’s premier shooters.

West Sydney finished the regular season with a 16-14 record, tying with Wollongong and Melbourne. Due to a three-way head-to-head tiebreaker, the Razorbacks secured the fifth seed and returned to the playoffs.

In the elimination finals, the Razorbacks hosted Perth in game one at the State Sports Centre, earning a dominant 106-85 win behind Rillie’s offensive firepower.

Game two in Perth saw West Sydney complete the sweep with a 109-98 victory, advancing to the semifinals.

In game one of the semifinals, the Razorbacks fell to Melbourne (93-114) at Hisense Arena. However, in game two, Rillie was instrumental in leading West Sydney to a 125-109 victory, forcing a deciding game three.

The Razorbacks sealed their place in the Grand Final with a 115-103 win in game three, becoming the first Sydney-based team to reach the NBL Grand Final.

In the Grand Final series, West Sydney lost game one to Adelaide (106-97) at the Adelaide Arena but bounced back in game two with a 103-100 victory at the State Sports Centre.

Game three saw the 36ers deliver a historic performance, hitting a Grand Final record 19-of-31 three-pointers (61.2%) en route to a 125-107 victory, denying the Razorbacks their first NBL championship.

West Sydney finished as NBL runners-up, with Rillie’s elite shooting and consistent all-around contributions playing a crucial role in their deep postseason run.

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2002/03
After helping West Sydney reach their first NBL Grand Final, John Rillie chose to play for AEK Athens in Greece. the following season To fill the void, the Razorbacks signed Willie Farley (via Adelaide) and added former Sydney Kings guard Aaron Trahair (via Sydney) to bolster the backcourt. Sam MacKinnon, who had missed the entire previous season due to injury, was also set to make his long-awaited club debut.

West Sydney opened the season with a dominant home victory over Adelaide (104-92), followed by an emphatic 122-106 win over Brisbane. However, the team soon struggled with inconsistency, suffering back-to-back defeats to Victoria (95-105) and Sydney (94-122). A heavy 91-117 loss to Canberra further highlighted their early-season challenges.

Team captain Derek Rucker (17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists) continued to lead from the point guard position, providing stability and experience. MacKinnon (15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) made an immediate impact, contributing on both ends of the floor, while Farley (16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) quickly established himself as a key perimeter scorer. Meanwhile, Simon Dwight (15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks) remained the NBL’s premier shot-blocker, anchoring the team’s interior defense.

A midseason turnaround saw the Razorbacks pick up several key wins, including a convincing 111-85 victory over Brisbane. However, their momentum was short-lived as they fell to Wollongong (93-119). They responded with three straight victories, defeating Canberra (92-78), Townsville (104-87), and Cairns (116-105), with Dwight playing a crucial role in protecting the paint.

Injuries soon became a major issue for West Sydney. During a win over Townsville, Dwight suffered a knee injury, later diagnosed as deep bone bruising. His absence left a significant gap in the Razorbacks’ defensive structure. With Dwight sidelined, the team sought reinforcements, creating an opportunity for former Razorback John Rillie, who had just been cut by AEK Athens. Rillie considered his options, with Melbourne also pursuing him as a potential replacement for Andrew Gaze. Ultimately, he chose to return to West Sydney.

Upon his return, Rillie (23.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) provided an immediate offensive boost. His elite perimeter shooting and ability to create his own shot helped reinvigorate the Razorbacks’ attack. However, the team continued to battle inconsistency. Their struggles were compounded when Rucker fractured his elbow, forcing him to miss a month of action. Without their captain and playmaker, the Razorbacks suffered crucial defeats, including a 107-111 loss to Adelaide and a 108-122 loss to Sydney.

While the team faced challenges on the court, off-court turmoil also hit the organization. Late in 2002, it was revealed that “The Oasis” development, a project tied to the Razorbacks’ ownership group, had been plagued by misappropriation of funds. Additionally, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who owned the team, were found guilty of systematic breaches of the NRL salary cap, resulting in a record $500,000 fine and the forfeiture of all 37 premiership points they had earned that season.

Despite the distractions, the Razorbacks delivered some strong performances in the latter part of the season, including a dominant 112-77 victory over Victoria in round 16 and a hard-fought 93-90 win over Melbourne in round 21. However, crucial losses to Perth (101-124) and Victoria (101-104) in the final stretch of the season saw them fall out of playoff contention.

West Sydney ultimately finished outside the postseason picture, failing to replicate their deep finals run from the previous year. Despite the disappointing team outcome, Rillie’s individual excellence was recognized, as he was named to the All-NBL Second Team.

2003/04
West Sydney entered the 2003/04 season with a bold new direction, opting not to re-sign import Willie Farley and veteran foundation duo Derek Rucker and Bruce Bolden. Instead, the team made history by becoming the first in the modern NBL era to field a full lineup of Australian talent. With John Rillie returning after spending half of the previous season in Greece and Sam MacKinnon back from injury, this was also the first season the roster had a clear “runway” to build continuity and challenge for a title.

West Sydney opened the season in dominant fashion, with Simon Dwight (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam MacKinnon (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists) both delivering near triple-doubles in a home victory over Hunter (119-103).

The Razorbacks started the season 3-1 before suffering a three-game losing streak, including defeats to Sydney (83-97), where Matt Nielsen dominated with 29 points and 8 rebounds, Wollongong (81-90), and Victoria (101-106).

With a losing record (3-4) and the season at a crossroads, West Sydney responded with a dominant 10-game winning streak, which included revenge victories over Sydney (97-87), Wollongong (109-105), and Victoria (107-95).

During this stretch, John Rillie (20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) solidified himself as the team’s leading scorer, while Sam MacKinnon (17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks) and Simon Dwight (15 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3.7 blocks) formed one of the strongest local trios in NBL history.

The starting five was rounded out by Aaron Trahair (13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) and Scott McGregor (13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists), while Russell Hinder (9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) and rookie Steven Markovic (8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) also played key roles off the bench.

In February, the team suffered a setback in a loss to Wollongong (110-99), where McGregor sustained a season-ending injury. With McGregor sidelined, Hinder moved into the starting lineup, and rookie Markovic saw increased minutes to help cover the load.

Despite the loss, the team maintained its strong form, finishing the regular season in third place (22-11) and breaking club records for most wins in a season, most home wins, and most road victories.

The Razorbacks carried their momentum into the postseason, defeating Cairns in the elimination final (110-88), with Trahair (31 points, 4 assists), MacKinnon (28 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), and Dwight (11 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks) propelling the team into the semifinals.

West Sydney then swept Wollongong in the semifinals, winning Game 1 by 16 points (107-91) behind a strong performance from Rillie (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), alongside Dwight (22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and MacKinnon (12 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists). Mat Campbell (20 points) led the Hawks in scoring.

In Game 2, Rillie delivered his best performance of the season, erupting for 45 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals while shooting 17-of-26 from the field to lead the Razorbacks to a 110-95 victory and a Grand Final berth.

For the first time in NBL history, the Grand Final was played as a best-of-five series, with the Razorbacks facing their toughest test against league MVP Matt Nielsen and the Sydney Kings, who had finished the regular season on top of the ladder (26-7).

Sydney secured a Game 1 victory (96-76), led by captain CJ Bruton’s hot shooting (35 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 9-of-16 shooting), while Dwight (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) led the way for West Sydney.

The Razorbacks responded in Game 2 with a commanding 87-72 victory, shutting down the Kings defensively while Rillie (18 points) and Trahair (17 points) led the team in scoring, evening the series at 1-1.

In the pivotal Game 3, West Sydney took a 2-1 series lead after a dramatic 82-80 overtime win, putting them within one victory of the championship. Rillie (18 points) played a crucial role in keeping the team ahead, while Dwight (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) and MacKinnon (14 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists) also delivered key contributions.

Despite a strong performance from Rillie (31 points), Sydney bounced back in Game 4 with an 82-77 victory, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown in Game 5—the first Game 5 in NBL Grand Final history.

In front of 9,609 fans at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the Razorbacks fought hard, but the Kings’ defense managed to shut down their primary offensive weapon, limiting Rillie to 12 points and 10 rebounds. Trahair (20 points) and Dwight (18 points) played well, but ultimately, the team fell short (90-79). An explosive fourth-quarter performance from Ebi Ere (25 points) sealed the win, with Brett Wheeler (18 points, 11 rebounds) and Matt Nielsen (14 points, 12 rebounds) providing strong interior play. Nielsen earned Grand Final MVP honours, adding to his regular season MVP award.

Despite the disappointment of losing the Grand Final, the 2003/04 season marked one of the Razorbacks’ most successful campaigns. John Rillie and Sam MacKinnon were both named to the All-NBL First Team, while rookie Steven Markovic earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
2004/05
During the 2004/05 season, Rillie averaged 18.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists and was a part of the Crocodiles squad which finished in third place with a record of 19-13.

2005/06
In 2005/06, Rillie averaged 15 points and 5.7 rebounds, and helped guide the Crocodiles to a ninth-place finish during the regular season with a 9-23 record.

2006/07
During the 2006/07 season Rillie averaged 19.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists as the Crocodiles finished in fifth place with a record of 19-14.

2007/08
In 2007/08 Rillie averaged 15.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as the Crocodiles finished with a record of 17-13 and in fifth place during the regular season.

2008/09
The 2008/09 season saw Rillie average 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists and play a key role in helping the Crocodiles to sixth place finish in the regular season with a 17-13 record.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2009/10
Having achieved their first-ever playoff appearance the season prior, coach Andrej Lemanis returned with the majority of Breakers roster intact, losing only Phill Jones (to Cairns) and Tim Behrendorff (to Wollongong). Having played with one import last season, Rick Rickert, the Breakers added Dave Thomas (via Cairns) to add veteran leadership to the club but prior to the season starting, he was forced to retire from playing in the NBL due to injury. Former NBA talent Awvee Storey was then signed as his replacement and development player Thomas Abercrombie was elevated to the full squad.

New Zealand struggled through the first half of the season, mainly due to missing their leading scorer Kirk Penney (23.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists) due to a back injury that saw him sidelined for nine games. In addition to this, Storey (7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists) fell well short of expectations and was released after nine games with the club stating ‘things weren’t working out’. Rillie (4.3 points and 1.6 rebounds), who had been released by Townsville the season prior, signed with the club as a interim replacement and appeared in 12 games.

New Zealand was then boosted by the midseason addition of import Kevin Braswell (9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.3 steals), who played in the Breakers final seven games, winning the last six in a row.

New Zealand’s late-season surge proved to be in vain, as the Breakers missed the playoffs during one of the closest NBL seasons of all-time. Despite New Zealand being only two games behind league leaders Perth, they would miss the playoffs and finish in fifth place (15-13).

John Rillie played sixteen seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, West Sydney Razorbacks, Townsville Crocodiles, Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 481 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 19th in total games played.
– 17th in total points
– 25th in total rebounds
– 14th in total assists
– 23rd in total steals

HIGHLIGHTS:

Dan Boyce (833 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.