BIO: Marc Ridlen came to Drury from Springfield (Mo.) Glendale High School and was considered to be a true “diamond in the rough.” He was a shining part of the Drury program for the next four years and went on to a most successful professional career in Australia.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Marc Ridlen made his NBL debut with the Sydney Supersonics on 25/4/1987. He scored 11 points in his first game.

In 1986, the Adelaide 36ers, led by coach Ken Cole, produced the most successful season in NBL history (24–2), winning the championship amidst significant controversy. During the campaign, Cole publicly admitted to smoking marijuana and was suspended by Adelaide’s management just prior to the Grand Final. After immense backlash from players and fans, including threats of boycott from the team, Cole was reinstated and led the 36ers to the title. But despite guiding Adelaide to a championship, the club’s board—citing sponsor concerns and public image—terminated his contract immediately after the season.

Adelaide’s loss was Sydney’s gain. The Supersonics quickly appointed Cole as their new head coach, replacing Owen Wells. Known for his charisma, championship pedigree, and flair, “King” Cole arrived in Sydney with the goal of replicating the system that had delivered success in Adelaide. He set about reshaping the roster in that image, building the team around a dominant frontcourt and fast-paced offense.

Import star Kendal Pinder departed for Perth, and in his place Sydney recruited Marc Ridlen—an unheralded but skilled forward. Alongside Ridlen, Bruce Hope (via Geelong) was signed to provide backcourt scoring, while Mike Kenny, Robert Croker, and James Hewlett rounded out the rotation. Derick Polk returned to anchor the paint after a standout rookie season, and was joined by young local contributors including Scott Fenton and Andrew Svaldenis. The Supersonics’ strategy was clear: Ridlen and Polk would form a twin towers pairing modeled after Mark Davis and Bill Jones, with Fenton tasked with emulating Al Green’s aggressive backcourt leadership.

The season began inauspiciously with a loss to Eastside Melbourne (98–76). While Derick Polk (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Curt Forrester (14 points) contributed solid performances, Ridlen managed just 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Sydney shot just 32% as a team and struggled with ball control. However, it would not take long for Ridlen to make his presence known.

In Round 2, despite a 124–104 loss to West Sydney, Ridlen exploded for 35 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks on 11-of-22 shooting and 13-of-15 at the line. Polk (24 points, 13 rebounds) and Hope (16 points) also impressed, but it was Ridlen’s commanding presence that began to shift the narrative around Sydney’s offensive identity.

That trend continued in a 116–105 Round 3 victory over Hobart, with Ridlen posting 20 points and 16 rebounds. Polk (24 points, 13 rebounds) and Hope (19 points) supported strongly. After a 1–5 start, Sydney delivered their most impressive win of the season with a 105–98 upset over playoff-bound North Melbourne. Ridlen (31 points, 13 rebounds), Polk (29 points, 17 rebounds), and Hope (13 points) led the way in what became a blueprint for Sydney’s most successful formula.

One week later, the Supersonics claimed bragging rights in the “Battle of Sydney,” downing the West Sydney Westars 86–81. Ridlen (16 points, 17 rebounds), Polk (18 points, 7 rebounds), and Hope (15 points) were again pivotal, as Sydney notched their only back-to-back wins of the year. It was in this stretch that Ridlen fully asserted himself as the focal point of Cole’s system.

On June 13, Sydney stunned third-placed Wollongong 104–90 behind one of Ridlen’s most complete efforts: 31 points and 21 rebounds. Polk (18 points, 7 rebounds), Matthews (18 points), and Fenton (15 points, five three-pointers) helped spread the scoring load, but it was Ridlen’s physical dominance that sealed the win.

Ridlen’s late-season tear was historic. He finished the year scoring 30 or more points in 12 of his final 13 games. His top three outings included a 41-point, 22-rebound masterpiece against Westside Saints on September 5, another 41-point game against Newcastle (August 8), and 40 points and 26 rebounds in the final game of the season. During this stretch, he also recorded 36 points and 16 rebounds in a 129–76 rout of Melbourne on August 22, where he was supported by Audie Matthews (28 points, 12 rebounds), Bruce Hope (17 points), and Polk, who grabbed a season-high 25 rebounds.

Despite their potent offense—averaging over 105 points per game—the Supersonics were let down by defensive inconsistency and struggled to win on the road, finishing 9–17. A damaging mid-season slump included losses to Canberra (142–117), North Melbourne (138–104), Geelong (102–98), and Newcastle (140–137), effectively ending their playoff chances. Their inability to close out tight games and defend in transition became recurring issues.

Still, the offensive firepower of Ridlen and Polk kept Sydney competitive. Ridlen finished the year averaging 30.5 points, 16.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, earning All-NBL Second Team honours despite Sydney missing the playoffs. Polk was a perfect complement, averaging 20.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks, while leading the league in offensive rebounding and ranking second in total blocks (78).

Bruce Hope (13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.9 steals), Audie Matthews (12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists), and Curt Forrester (12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals) all offered double-digit scoring and veteran toughness. Point guard Scott Fenton (10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists) led the NBL in free-throw percentage and hit key shots throughout the season.

The Supersonics ended their final NBL game with a statement, defeating the Westside Saints 118–98 on September 18. In his final act as a Supersonic, Ridlen tallied 40 points and 26 rebounds, while Polk added 18 points, 21 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Forrester (17 points), Matthews (17 points), and Hope (16 points), rounded out a dominant team performance. Coach Cole declared the group had “finally put it all together for 48 minutes.”

Shortly after, the Supersonics franchise merged with the West Sydney Westars to form the Sydney Kings. “The Sonics are dead – long live the Kings,” read local headlines. Cole’s one-year tenure, though turbulent, showcased Ridlen’s meteoric rise, Polk’s defensive brilliance, and glimpses of promise in Sydney’s younger core. The 1987 season closed the book on the Supersonics, but laid the foundation for a new era of professional basketball in Sydney.

SYDNEY KINGS
1988
The 1988 season marked the dawn of a new era in Australian basketball as the Sydney Kings took the court for the first time.

Formed from the merger of two struggling franchises—the Sydney Supersonics and the West Sydney Westars—the Kings were the brainchild of Supersonics owner Mike Wrublewski and Westars’ Andrew Lazaris, whose shared vision of a unified “one team, one city” Sydney club came to fruition just months before the season tipped off.

The newly formed Kings wasted no time distinguishing themselves.

They were the first Australian basketball club to introduce corporate boxes and rebranded with striking purple-and-gold uniforms, but behind the glitz lay the difficult task of fusing two rival rosters into one cohesive unit.

Coach Claude Williams, previously an assistant coach with the Supersonics and the first Indigenous head coach in NBL history, shouldered the immense responsibility of managing both egos and expectations.

The inaugural Kings roster was headlined by new recruit Steve “Mr Magic” Carfino, who arrived from Hobart after earning All-NBL First Team honours the previous year.

Carfino, who was named team captain, was paired with Supersonics import Marc Ridlen, an All-NBL Second Team selection in 1987 despite the Supersonics’ 9–17 finish.

Supersonics veterans Andrew Svaldenis and experienced guard Zoran Zunic also made the transition to the new Kings lineup.

From the Westars, the club retained versatile forward Glen Dunsmore, high-flying wing Tim Morrissey, and Olympian Damian Keogh, who quickly emerged as the team’s premier local player.

Other new additions included Olympians Ian Davies and brothers Brad and Mark Dalton, all joining from the Geelong Supercats.

In the Kings’ historic debut on February 12 at Homebush, imports Marc Ridlen (33 points, 16 rebounds) and Steve Carfino (23 points, 6 assists) powered Sydney to a thrilling 110–106 victory over Geelong.

Ian Davies (16 points, 6 rebounds) and Andrew Svaldenis (16 points, 9 rebounds) also played key roles.

Despite an impressive debut from Geelong import Sam Foggin (34 points), the Kings secured their first-ever win as a franchise.

One week later, Sydney improved to 2–0 with a 103–95 win over Wollongong, as Steve Carfino (24 points, 6 assists) led the charge once again.

Mark Dalton (23 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks) was dominant inside, shooting an efficient 10-of-12 from the field.

Sydney would win six of their first ten games, generating early excitement among fans, but as they began to face tougher competition, cracks in the newly merged squad began to show.

A three-game skid—falling to North Melbourne (124–125), Adelaide (98–112), and Illawarra (100–102)—laid bare the growing pains of uniting two former rivals.

The loss to the Hawks was particularly frustrating, with Sydney crumbling in crunch time.

Tensions between the merged factions finally boiled over when Ridlen and Keogh were seen nearly coming to blows on the bench.

Illawarra, powered by Don Bickett (23 points) and Jim Bateman (20 points), shot a red-hot 54% from the field to close out the win.

Steve Carfino (32 points) delivered a season-high scoring performance, with Marc Ridlen (22 points, 12 rebounds) and Damian Keogh (14 points, 4 assists) also contributing.

But Sydney’s 55% free-throw shooting (11-of-20) and 14 turnovers proved decisive.

These internal conflicts underscored the immense challenge facing coach Claude Williams: transforming a collection of talented individuals from two former rivals into a cohesive and united team.

Despite the friction, Ridlen (25.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks) was consistently the Kings’ best performer, finishing second in the NBL in rebounding and top five in scoring.

Ridlen’s relentless consistency was evident as he recorded double-digit rebounds in 17 of Sydney’s 24 games, showcasing elite dominance on the boards.

His remarkable outing against Hobart on April 16 was particularly impressive as he tallied 22 points and 22 rebounds—a rare “20-20” performance.

He also proved his versatility as a playmaker in a victory over Geelong on May 21, dishing out a season-high 7 assists alongside 22 points and 16 rebounds.

Ridlen saved his most explosive offensive performance for a late-season clash with Westside on June 18, pouring in a season-best 38 points (18-of-30 FG), grabbing 15 rebounds, and notching 4 steals, exemplifying his ability to impact both ends of the court.

In another standout moment against Newcastle (120–105 win), Ridlen grabbed an incredible 30 rebounds—a franchise record that still stands.

On April 30, he exploded for 35 points on 15-of-22 shooting with 13 rebounds in a narrow loss to North Melbourne (124–125).

Alongside Ridlen, Carfino dazzled in the backcourt, averaging (21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.6 steals) and earning All-NBL First Team honours.

Keogh (14.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Davies (12.8 points, and 3.1 rebounds) supported the high-scoring imports on the scoreboard while playing complementary roles.

Tim Morrissey (7.6 points, and 3.2 rebounds) emerged as the club’s defensive stopper, and Mark Dalton (9.7 points, 6.0 rebounds) brought veteran toughness.

The Kings went 4–7 for the remainder of the season, finishing ninth (10–14) on the ladder.

Claude Williams stepped down as coach at season’s end, frustrated by the boardroom politics and personnel compromises.

But the core he helped assemble—led by Ridlen and Carfino—laid the foundation for the Kings’ long-term future.

1989
Entering their sophomore campaign, the Sydney Kings were determined to shake off their expansion-club growing pains and prove they belonged among the NBL’s contenders.

Owner Mike Wrublewski doubled down on his vision of a big-market powerhouse, replacing inaugural coach Claude Williams with championship winning coach Bob Turner (via Canberra) and appointing Olympians Brad Dalton and Damian Keogh as co-captains to spearhead a tougher, more professional outfit.

Sydney kept its primary core intact from the previous season, The high-scoring import duo of Steve “Mr. Magic” Carfino and Marc Ridlen returned, as did local talent Mark Dalton, Ian Davies, Tim Morrissey, and Andrew Svaldenis. In alignment with adding experiance and grit, Ian Robilliard, a hard-nosed wing who returned to the NBL after a brief hiatus. Robilliard joined as a defensive spark and veteran presence.

The season opened with a nail-biting win over Brisbane (82–79), only for an immediate reality check in Perth (97–117). This inconsistency continued through the opening month – one night Sydney knocked off the Adelaide (113–104) on the road then the following game they suffered a humbling home loss to Eastside (67–92) back home. By late April, the Kings were hovering around .500 and still searching for an identity under Turner’s leadership.

Everything clicked as winter approached. In May and June, Sydney caught fire, embarking on an eight-game winning streak—the longest in franchise history at the time. The run began with a thrilling overtime win over Newcastle (115–112), where Damian Keogh delivered clutch baskets and the Kings showed a new level of composure under pressure.

They strung together a steely 82–77 scrap against Hobart, a frenetic 128–125 shoot-out in Melbourne, and a tight 95–90 escape in Geelong—each win piling confidence on confidence. Momentum turned into mania when Sydney toppled ladder-leaders North Melbourne (110–107) and Canberra (119–108), vaulting to 12-5 while sell-outs of 5,000 turned Homebush into a purple-and-gold madhouse. The run finally hit turbulence: a sobering 113–128 thud in North Melbourne snapped the streak, and Andrew Gaze’s Tigers nicked a 112–115 heart-breaker that cost Sydney the head-to-head tiebreak and a top-four seed. Even so, Turner’s crew closed the book at 15-9—proof that basketball fever had truly gripped the Harbour City.

Marc Ridlen (21.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks) and Steve Carfino (20.4 points, 5.1 assists, 2.1 steals) powered the Kings offensively, with Carfino once again earning All-NBL Second Team honours.

Damian Keogh (17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals) delivered his best season to date and Tim Morrissey (13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds) blossomed into one of the league’s premier defensive stoppers.

Sydney would win its first playoff game, outlasting huge games from Andrew Gaze (38 points, 8 rebound, and 5 assists) and Ray Gordon (21 points) thanks to veteran Ian Davies (30 points) and a solid game from Ridlen (22 points and 9 rebounds) inside, 5,006 fans witnessing Sydney’s first post-season victory a home win over Melbourne (117–105).

Melbourne bounced back hard in Game 2, handing the Kings a beating (89-112) to square the series. David Simmons (33 points, 15 boards) and Andrew Gaze (32 points, 5 assists, 4 steals) were just too much to handle. Sydney got solid games from Marc Ridlen (25 points, 7 rebounds) and Steve Carfino (17 points, 8-of-9 from the line), but outside of that, they were completely outmatched—out-rebounded, out-shot, and outworked. The 23-point drubbing put all the momentum back with the Tigers heading into the decider.

Game 3 was a nail-biter. Gaze (30 points) and Simmons (24 points) again led the Tigers offensively, but Sydney dug deep to come away victorious (85–83) and move on to the semi-finals. Ridlen (28 points and 18 boards) and Carfino (19 points) doing most of the scoring. Tim Morrissey (14 points) and Damian Keogh (11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists) were also key contributors. Keogh nailing free throws in the final seconds to ice it.

Facing top-seeded Canberra, the Kings dropped a tough Game 1 at Homebush (98–108). Tim Morrissey led the way with a double-double (20 points, 14 rebounds), but it wasn’t enough to counter a stacked Cannons lineup. Emery Atkinson was everywhere (22 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists), while Herb McEachin (21 points) and Tad Dufelmeier (20 points) piled on the pressure. Sydney hung around for most of the night, but poor shooting (2-of-14 3PT) and 15 turnovers proved costly in the end.

With their season on the line, Game two saw Sydney respond with a gritty win in Canberra (100–92), powered by Marc Ridlen (29 points, 19 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Steve Carfino (30 points, 5 assists, 4 steals). Tempers flared when Cannons coach Steve Breheny infamously head-butted Damian Keogh (11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals) on the sideline, summing up Canberra’s frustration. Tim Morrissey added tough points (16 points) while Brad Dalton battled for boards (12 points, 8 rebounds).

Emery Atkinson (30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) was again a standout for Canberra, but not even his effort could stop the Kings from forcing a deciding Game 3 back in Sydney.

After forcing a Game 3 on the road, the Kings finally ran out of miracles in a record-smashing 82–142 loss at the AIS Arena.

The Cannons were ruthless, shooting at a blistering clip (57% FG), dominating the glass (52 rebounds), and handing out 26 assists. Simon Cottrell (34 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals), Herb McEachin (25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals), and Willie Simmons (20 points, 8 rebounds, 8 blocks) led the onslaught. Phil Smyth (16 points, 10 assists, 7 steals) ran the show, while Emery Atkinson (20 points, 15 rebounds) returned to his dominant best.

For Sydney, Tim Morrissey (26 points, 6 rebounds) was the lone bright spot, with Brad Dalton (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Ian Robilliard (11 points) offering brief resistance. The 60-point margin remains the largest loss in Kings franchise history, a humbling end to a rollercoaster playoff run that transformed them from a punchline into a serious contender.

Ridlen would be named the Kings’ club MVP at the end of the season.

Marc Ridlen played four seasons the Sydney Supersonics. This included the Sydney Supersonics. He averaged 24.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 109 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 43rd in points per game.
– 10th in rebounds per game.

Dan Boyce (836 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.