NBL EXPERIENCE

Mark Cumberbatch made his NBL debut with the Bankstown Bruins on 13/2/1983. He scored six points in his first game.

Coming off a dismal 2–24 record in 1982, the Bankstown Bruins entered the 1983 NBL season with a significantly reshaped roster and renewed hope. Under the leadership of player-coach Robbie Cadee, the team was bolstered by a trio of new imports—Cliff Martin (via Sydney), Eric Claus, and Wayne Ricarte—who replaced the club’s three leading scorers from the previous season: Kelvin Henderson, Donnie Cruse, and Doug Vukalovich.

The 1983 campaign also marked a structural shift for the NBL. With the league expanding from 14 to 16 teams, a two-conference format was introduced for the first time. Teams were split into Eastern and Western Divisions and played 22 games—each facing divisional opponents twice and inter-division opponents once.

The addition of Martin, Claus, and Ricarte paid immediate dividends. The Bruins were competitive from the outset and showed tremendous improvement on both ends of the floor. Imports Cliff Martin (20.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals), Eric Claus (18.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks), and Wayne Ricarte (17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds) all put up big numbers, but the team lacked any major talent off the bench.

With Cadee (6.4 points and 2.8 assists per game) orchestrating from the point guard spot, the only other key contributors for the Bruins were Ray Dawson (6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds) and Mark Ryan (3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds). Rookie forward Mark Cumberbatch also appeared in all 22 games, averaging 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds in limited minutes. Used primarily as a defensive substitute and energy player off the bench, Cumberbatch provided hustle and physicality but was seldom involved in the scoring load.

Bankstown’s transformation was most evident in their record. The team finished 12–10, marking a dramatic ten-win improvement from the year prior and landing them mid-table in the Eastern Division. The turnaround was so significant that Robbie Cadee was honoured with the 1983 NBL Coach of the Year Award.

1984
After a remarkable turnaround in 1983 under head coach Robbie Cadee—where the Bankstown Bruins improved from a league-worst 2–24 to a respectable 12–10 record—expectations were raised heading into 1984. The sixth season of the NBL saw the league expand to 17 teams and adopt a two-division format. Bankstown, situated in the Eastern Division, retained the bulk of its core roster and entered the season looking to build on the previous year’s success.

Cadee, who had juggled coaching and playing duties in 1983, transitioned to a full-time head coaching role. Veterans Wayne Ricarte and Peter Sheehan moved on, while returning youngster Scott Fenton, rookie Andrew Svaldenis, and key recruit Tony Barnett (via Geelong) were brought in to refresh the rotation. Returning for another campaign was forward Mark Cumberbatch, who played all 24 games of the season and provided valuable support in the frontcourt rotation.

The season opened with a disappointing 91–81 home loss to Newcastle, with Cumberbatch contributing 4 points, 1 rebound, and 3 blocks. Despite solid outings from the team’s top trio—Eric Claus (22 points, 8 rebounds), Cliff Martin (19 points), and Tony Barnett (19 points)—Bankstown struggled defensively. Newcastle’s Jim Bateman (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Jerry Dennard (18 points, 6 rebounds) did the damage inside.

The Bruins then fell heavily to Brisbane (117–89) and dropped a tight one to Frankston (80–78), slipping to 0–3. The breakthrough came in Hobart, where they defeated the Devils 118–95 behind standout performances from Claus (27 points, 10 rebounds) and Martin (25 points, 7 rebounds). Cumberbatch chipped in 8 points and 4 rebounds while providing rim protection with 6 blocks—his best defensive showing of the season.

The Hobart victory sparked a three-game winning streak, with Bankstown also beating Devonport (104–96) and Sydney (114–102). Claus (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Barnett (19 points, 5 rebounds) again impressed in the Sydney win, while Cumberbatch continued to contribute defensively and on the glass.

As the season progressed, the Bruins remained competitive but inconsistent. They secured home wins over Coburg (100–94), Melbourne (102–97), Frankston (99–84), and St Kilda (76–74), with Cumberbatch consistently playing his role as a shot blocker and rebounder. However, their form on the road deteriorated, finishing with just three wins away from Bankstown Stadium (3–9). Heavy losses to Coburg (147–112), Brisbane (113–74), Canberra (97–76), and Geelong (103–96) underscored their defensive shortcomings.

Bankstown finished the year strongly, winning three of their final four games. They crushed Sydney (130–85), stunned West Adelaide (108–89), and closed the season with a 104–95 win over Perth. Claus dominated with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Barnett (19 points) and Martin (18 points) also played key roles. Cumberbatch added 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block in the season finale.

The Bruins ultimately concluded the 1984 season with a 10–14 record, placing seventh in the Eastern Division and missing the playoffs. Eric Claus (25.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 blocks) and Cliff Martin (20.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals) led the team offensively, with Barnett (17.0 points, 6.1 rebounds) proving to be a critical addition. Cumberbatch averaged 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game across 24 appearances, making him one of the league’s more reliable interior defenders off the bench.

1985
By 1985, the gap between professional and semi-professional NBL clubs had widened considerably. Financially outmatched, the Bankstown Bruins struggled to remain competitive. The offseason saw the departure of cornerstone imports Eric Claus and Cliff Martin, who had led the team offensively during its most successful stretch. In their place arrived the explosive American duo of Vince Kelley and Vince Hinchen.

Despite limited resources, Bankstown pulled off a major recruitment coup by signing reigning Rookie of the Year Damian Keogh from Nunawading. Fresh off a 20-point-per-game campaign, Keogh joined the Bruins in search of a larger role and greater minutes under returning coach Robbie Cadee.

The season began with a difficult opener against Keogh’s former club. Despite big games from Hinchen (36 points) and Kelley (30 points, 13 rebounds), Bankstown fell to Nunawading 109–96. A narrow 92–89 loss to Canberra followed, before the Bruins finally broke through for their first win of the season against Geelong (107–103). While Mark Cumberbatch went scoreless in limited action, his defensive presence was still felt in the win.

However, any early momentum quickly disappeared. The Bruins dropped nine straight games, including a heavy 144–115 loss to Coburg. Bennie Lewis torched Bankstown with 43 points, 14 assists, and 5 steals, as the Bruins’ defense collapsed. Cumberbatch delivered one of his best outings of the season, contributing 12 points and 2 rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting.

Another crushing defeat came against the Adelaide 36ers, where “The Two Vinces” combined for 83 of Bankstown’s 110 points—Hinchen (43) and Kelley (40 points, 15 rebounds) putting on an offensive clinic in a 117–110 loss. Cumberbatch chipped in 4 points and 4 rebounds, hitting 2-of-4 shots from the field.

Kelley (31.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks) and Hinchen (30.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists) formed one of the NBL’s most explosive duos. Keogh (13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists), while productive, was unable to reach the same heights as his rookie campaign.

Beyond the imports, second-year forward Andrew Svaldenis impressed (11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds), with strong contributions from Tony Barnett (8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds), Greg Hemmings (6.4 points, 2.1 assists), and Cumberbatch (5.1 points, 3.8 rebounds).

With the Bruins slumping to a 2–13 record, Hinchen departed and the team stumbled to the end of the season.

In the final game of the year, Bankstown edged the Sydney Supersonics 90–89. Keogh lit up the scoreboard with 24 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from three-point range, while Kelley (35 points, 9 rebounds) and Svaldenis (13 points, 9 boards) lifted the team. Cumberbatch added 3 points and 4 rebounds in the win, rounding out a steady season.

Bankstown finished with a 6–20 record, placing twelfth overall. Despite boasting two of the league’s most prolific scorers, the Bruins were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and financial strain. At season’s end, the franchise rebranded as the West Sydney Westars, closing the book on the Bankstown Bruins’ seven-year NBL history.

Mark Cumberbatch played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Bankstown Bruins and the West Sydney Westars. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 107 NBL games.

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.