Aussie Hoopla Podcast – Matt Shanahan on being a role player in the NBL (July 2020)

Listen to Matt Shanahan’s full Aussie Hoopla interview. The discussion covers his early NBL championships, the AIS, the 1995 junior World Championship, his relationship with coaches and teammates, the 2001 Wollongong title and his reflections on a long NBL career.

NICKNAME/S: Bubbles

BIO: Matthew Shanahan was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Nunawading basketball program. Shanahan received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1993. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

FAMILY: Shanahan’s daughter Eliza followed the family’s basketball pathway into national representation. In 2026, she joined Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra, played for Victoria Metro’s national Under-18 championship-winning women’s team, and was selected for the Australian Gems at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup in Malaysia.

Eliza averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists across four appearances for Australia, shooting 45.5 per cent from three-point range. She scored 16 points against New Zealand, then contributed five points in the semi-final win over China. Australia defeated Japan 83–82 in the final on 10 October to finish the tournament undefeated and win the gold medal, although Eliza did not take the court in the final.

Matt travelled to Malaysia for the tournament and spoke about the pride of seeing his daughter represent Australia, noting she wore number 13, the same number he wore during his own playing career. He said Eliza had earned her opportunity after several earlier selection setbacks and encouraged her continuing progress as a shooter and defender.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Matthew Shanahan made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Magic at 17 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.

Shanahan entered the NBL in 1992 at 16 years of age, signing with the South East Melbourne Magic and winning a title as a rookie despite not playing any minutes in a NBL game.

NORTH MELBOURNE GIANTS
1994
North Melbourne entered 1994 after its financial struggles had become public, but a group of new investors saved the Giants at the eleventh hour and changed the club’s look, moving away from its traditional maroon uniforms and adopting colours similar to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.

Brett Brown returned for his second season as head coach with Pat Reidy, Paul Maley, Paul Rees, Larry Sengstock, Rod Johnson, Darryl Pearce and captain Mark Leader forming the experienced core. High-scoring import Jason Reese (to Canberra) departed, while Darryl McDonald (via CBA) and John Stelzer (via Canberra) were added. Matthew Shanahan joined the end of the bench after spending the previous year at the Australian Institute of Sport and received his first NBL playing opportunities during the season.

Shanahan (1.8 points across 10 games) played only limited minutes for the veteran Giants but remained part of a team which quickly proved wrong the preseason predictions that had North Melbourne finishing near the bottom of the ladder.

Shanahan’s best and highest-scoring game came at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on June 18, where he made 2-of-4 field goals and finished with 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 3:30 minutes. McDonald produced 24 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 8 steals, and 1 block and Reidy added 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Leon Trimmingham erupted for 43 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks for Sydney. North Melbourne still comfortably defeated the Kings 118-98.

Reidy (19.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals across 33 games) and Maley (19.4 points and 6.7 rebounds across 25 games) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4.5 steals across 33 games) transformed the Giants from the point guard position. Rees (12.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 33 games), Johnson (12.7 points across 33 games) and Sengstock (9.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals across 33 games) were also major contributors. McDonald led the NBL in steals and earned All-NBL First Team honours, Reidy was selected to the All-NBL Third Team and Brown was named NBL Coach of the Year.

North Melbourne finished second with a 19-7 record after being widely tipped to finish last, while the 1994 season also became the first in NBL history to pass one million spectators during the regular season.

The quarterfinals opened at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, where Shanahan played 3:50 minutes and finished with 0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Maley (26 points and 6 rebounds) and Johnson (20 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) led North Melbourne, but Greg Hubbard (32 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 7 steals) powered Sydney to a 131-109 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

Shanahan did not play in game two as North Melbourne responded with a 112-91 victory at the Glasshouse, and he again remained out of the rotation when the Giants won the deciding game 104-95 to eliminate Sydney.

Shanahan did not appear in again in the semifinals against South East Melbourne, while North Melbourne won game one 108-87 at Melbourne Park before surviving 79-76 at the Glasshouse to complete the sweep and advance to the Grand Final.

Shanahan did not play in game one of the Grand Final as North Melbourne recovered after Adelaide forced overtime to win 95-93 at the Clipsal Powerhouse on McDonald’s game-winning shot but he returned for the deciding game at the Glasshouse and finished with 0 points and 1 assist. Maley (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Rees (20 points and 7 rebounds) led North Melbourne, while Robert Rose (31 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best. The Giants won 117-97 to complete the 2-0 sweep and claim their second NBL championship, with Rees named Grand Final MVP.

1995
After winning the 1994 championship, North Melbourne entered Brett Brown’s third season with its title core still in place, with Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Rees, Paul Maley, Larry Sengstock, Rod Johnson, Darryl Pearce, Mark Leader, John Stelzer and Matthew Shanahan all returning. The only major setback came in the final weeks before the season when Maley (back injury) was ruled out for the year, forcing Brown to find a late replacement before the Giants signed former Ohio State forward Chris Jent (via Houston Rockets), who had won the 1994 NBA championship only months earlier.

North Melbourne opened the season on April 22 against Gold Coast, where Shanahan (3.1 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) came off the bench and finished with 3 points and 3 rebounds in 4 minutes as the Giants defeated the Rollers 118-97. McDonald (21 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block), Reidy (22 points and 12 rebounds) and Jent (33 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the way, with Jent’s debut marking the first time a reigning NBA champion had played in the NBL.

Six days later, Shanahan had his first scoring burst of the season, finishing with 8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 11 minutes, but Sydney defeated North Melbourne 104-91 at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre.

Shanahan’s best regular-season game came on June 3 against Wollongong, where he made three three-pointers and finished with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal in 10 minutes as North Melbourne defeated the Hawks 98-93.

On July 2, Shanahan finished with 8 points and 2 steals in 12 minutes as North Melbourne defeated eventual champion Perth 109-100 and remained among the teams fighting for top spot during a season where Brisbane, Sydney, North Melbourne, South East Melbourne and Melbourne all spent time leading the ladder.

On August 25, Shanahan added 8 points and 4 assists as North Melbourne defeated Geelong 150-118 at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, with Reidy (28 points), McDonald (23 points, 9 assists, and 7 steals), Jent (19 points) and Rees (17 points and 7 rebounds) helping the Giants produce their highest score of the season.

North Melbourne closed the regular season in Brisbane on September 16, where Shanahan played 4:20 minutes as Jent (31 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), McDonald (26 points, 8 rebounds, 15 assists, and 9 steals), Reidy (26 points) and Rees (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Giants to a 122-109 win, closing on a five-game winning streak and finishing third with a 18-8 record.

Jent (25.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 steals) led North Melbourne in scoring after replacing Maley and earned All-NBL Third Team honours, while Reidy (20.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals) remained a major scoring and rebounding option on the wing. McDonald (17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 3.8 steals) led the NBL in assists and steals for a second consecutive season, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won the Good Hands Award.

Rees (14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) anchored the middle, Johnson (11.5 points) gave the Giants another scoring option, while Sengstock (5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds), Pearce (5.7 points), Leader (4.6 points and 3.0 rebounds) and Shanahan completed Brown’s veteran rotation.

The quarterfinals saw North Melbourne sweep Brisbane, winning game one 115-105 behind Jent (34 points and 7 rebounds), Reidy (25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Johnson (20 points and 4 assists) and McDonald (7 points, 6 rebounds, 19 assists, and 6 steals), before completing the series in Melbourne with a 130-99 win behind McDonald (32 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Reidy (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists), Jent (21 points and 5 rebounds), Rees (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 blocks) and Shanahan (4 points and 1 rebound).

The semifinals opened with North Melbourne holding South East Melbourne to 77 points in a 98-77 win, led by Jent (24 points and 11 rebounds), Reidy (23 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists), Rees (17 points and 6 rebounds) and McDonald (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 12 assists), before the Magic answered with a 98-79 game two win despite Jent (17 points and 10 rebounds), McDonald (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Rees (12 points and 4 rebounds).

Game three remained in Melbourne, where Reidy (27 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists), Jent (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), McDonald (14 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, and 8 steals), Sengstock (14 points) and Johnson (12 points) led North Melbourne to a 107-92 win and moved the Giants into the Grand Final for a second consecutive season.

The Grand Final opened in Perth with North Melbourne winning 104-97 behind Jent (29 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals), Johnson (21 points), Reidy (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) and McDonald (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists), before Perth levelled the series 97-88 in Melbourne behind Andrew Vlahov (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists). Game three returned to Perth, where James Crawford (32 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks) led the Wildcats to a 108-88 win, with Vlahov named Grand Final MVP and Shanahan (11 points and 2 rebounds) playing 11:45 minutes in the loss.

1996
After falling one win short of back-to-back championships, North Melbourne returned most of its roster for Brett Brown’s fourth season. Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Rees, Paul Maley, Rod Johnson, Larry Sengstock, Matthew Shanahan and John Stelzer all remained in place, while Mark Leader and Darryl Pearce retired and Chris Jent (to New York Knicks) exited after his one-season stint with the Giants. Australian Boomers guard Tonny Jensen (via Townsville) joined the roster, while Maley returned from the back injury that had ruled him out for the entire 1995 season.

North Melbourne opened the season in Sydney on April 12, where Shanahan (4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 23:40 minutes, but the Kings defeated the Giants 102-97 despite Jensen (25 points), Maley (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals), McDonald (16 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, and 2 steals) and Reidy (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) keeping North Melbourne close.

Shanahan (5 points) remained part of Brown’s guard rotation and played limited minutes four days later as North Melbourne defeated Melbourne 105-85 at Melbourne Park. McDonald (20 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) recorded a triple-double, while Reidy (27 points and 10 rebounds), Jensen (28 points) and Rees (17 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) helped the Giants claim their first win of the season.

Shanahan’s best game of the season came against Geelong on May 10, where Shanahan (18 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made four three-pointers as North Melbourne defeated the Supercats 133-103. McDonald (24 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 steals), Reidy (22 points), Maley (19 points and 5 rebounds) and Rees (14 points and 8 rebounds) led the Giants in the win.

Shanahan (13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) gave North Melbourne useful minutes against Gold Coast on June 7 as the Giants defeated the Rollers 114-98, with Reidy (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists), Maley (25 points and 15 rebounds) and McDonald (16 points, 9 rebounds, 14 assists, and 3 steals) leading one of the team’s strongest wins of the season.

Shanahan (10 points and 2 assists) added another double-figure game against Brisbane on August 10, while his late-season minutes lifted again in Perth on September 28, where Shanahan (10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 3 steals) played 29:21 minutes as North Melbourne defeated the Wildcats 99-93 behind McDonald (30 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 9 steals) and Rees (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists).

Reidy (20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3.9 steals) again led the NBL in assists, earned All-NBL First Team honours, won the Good Hands Award and was named NBL All-Star Game MVP. Maley (17.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) returned strongly after missing the previous season, Jensen (14.6 points) gave the Giants another perimeter scorer, while Rees (14 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks), Johnson (9.1 points and 1.3 steals), Sengstock (4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Stelzer (2.1 points) completed Brown’s rotation as North Melbourne finished seventh with a 15-11 record in a tight ladder where only two games separated third place and eighth.

The quarterfinals opened at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where South East Melbourne defeated North Melbourne 96-82 behind Andrew Parkinson (19 points). Shanahan (4 points and 1 rebound) played 14:22 minutes, while Rees (28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Reidy (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and McDonald (11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led the Giants as the Magic took control of the series.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Tony Ronaldson (25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Mike Kelly (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led South East Melbourne to an 87-77 win and completed the sweep. Shanahan (2 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) played in the 87-77 loss.

1997
After finishing seventh with a 15-11 record and being swept by South East Melbourne in the 1996 quarterfinals, North Melbourne entered 1997 with financial pressure continuing to shape Brett Brown’s roster. Tonny Jensen (to Newcastle), Larry Sengstock (retired), John Stelzer (retired) and Paul Maley (back injury) exited, while Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Rees, Rod Johnson, Matthew Shanahan and Stephen Hoare returned. With Gold Coast, Hobart and Geelong no longer in the league, Brown added Mike Mitchell (via Brisbane), David Stiff (via Hobart), Andrew Goodwin (via Brisbane), Matthew Reece (via Newcastle) and Cameron Jackson as North Melbourne carried the league minimum of 11 players.

North Melbourne opened the season with an 85-81 win over Sydney at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where the returning guard (2 points and 1 rebound) played 16 minutes as Reidy (24 points) and Mitchell (23 points and 12 rebounds) led the Giants, while Isaac Burton (19 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Shanahan (7.7 points) appeared in all 35 games and remained in Brown’s backcourt rotation as North Melbourne started the season 4-0. The biggest setback came when Rees (4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds) suffered a severe knee injury that kept him out for most of the regular season before returning late and breaking his wrist against Brisbane in the second-last round.

Shanahan’s best scoring game came against Perth on August 29, where he made four three-pointers and finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists as North Melbourne defeated the Wildcats 103-86.

He followed with another strong performance against Sydney on September 7, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist as the Giants defeated the Kings 117-96.

Reidy (20.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 3.3 steals) led the NBL in assists and steals, won the Good Hands Award, finished runner-up in MVP voting and earned All-NBL Second Team honours.

Mitchell (15.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) gave the Giants another reliable import option, while Stiff (13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) became the main interior presence during Rees’ absence. Johnson (10.8 points) and Goodwin (10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds) provided further support.

North Melbourne closed the regular season at home against Perth on September 24, where Shanahan finished with 10 points and 2 rebounds, but the Wildcats defeated the Giants 106-102, leaving North Melbourne third with an 18-12 record.

The elimination finals opened at the AIS Arena, where Shanahan (8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal), Reidy (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Goodwin (23 points and 11 rebounds) led North Melbourne, but Robert Rose (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped Canberra win 104-93 and take the early edge in the best-of-three series.

Game two moved to the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where Shanahan (8 points and 3 rebounds), Reidy (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and McDonald (20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) helped North Melbourne answer with a 108-98 win, while Mario Donaldson (25 points) led Canberra.

Game three stayed in Melbourne, where Shanahan (11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal), Reidy (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Stiff (14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) helped North Melbourne close the series with a 102-75 win, while Rose (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Canberra.

The semifinals opened against Melbourne at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where Shanahan (7 points and 2 rebounds) and Stiff (24 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) kept North Melbourne in touch, but Andrew Gaze (39 points and 10 assists) and Bradtke (25 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Tigers to a 107-99 win.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Shanahan (13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), McDonald (27 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals) and Reidy (20 points and 4 rebounds) led North Melbourne, but Gaze (34 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Bradtke (26 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Melbourne to a 112-105 win and completed the sweep.

1998
In a season that would close the North Melbourne Giants era, the club entered 1998 with its financial problems still growing after a semifinal exit against Melbourne the year before. Mike Mitchell, Paul Rees (to Adelaide), Rod Johnson (to Canberra), Stephen Hoare (to West Sydney) and Matthew Reece all exited the team, while Brett Brown retained Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, David Stiff, Andrew Goodwin and Matthew Shanahan. Paul Maley also returned after missing the previous season with a back injury, with Ben Pepper (via Newcastle), David Close (via Canberra), rookie David Smith (via AIS) and new import Darnell Hoskins added to complete the roster.

The Giants began the year at Beaton Park on January 30 without McDonald, losing to Wollongong 109-96 as Shanahan (7 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists) logged 32:44 minutes, with Reidy (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Hoskins (15 points) leading North Melbourne in the loss.

With McDonald sidelined for the opening 13 games, Brown added Nate Driggers to cover the backcourt while Shanahan (6.4 points) remained part of the guard rotation. Driggers (6 points and 3.3 rebounds) lasted seven games before being released, while Hoskins (17 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals) briefly steadied the import spot when Hoskins (40 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Reidy (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) led North Melbourne past Sydney 97-91 on March 14, with Shanahan (2 points) playing limited minutes in the win.

Shanahan (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) produced his first double-figure scoring game of the season on March 29 as North Melbourne defeated Wollongong 110-92, with Pepper (28 points, 27 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Maley (15 points and 5 rebounds) leading the Giants to one of their stronger home wins.

Hoskins was released after playing his final game on March 29, with Brown bringing NBL legend Butch Hays (8.9 points and 3.4 assists) out of retirement on April 3. Shanahan (16 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) produced one of his best games that night in Townsville, but North Melbourne lost 98-91 despite Pepper (20 points and 8 rebounds) and Goodwin (17 points and 6 rebounds) providing support.

McDonald (12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.3 steals) returned against Adelaide on April 4, while Shanahan (5 points) played limited minutes as North Melbourne defeated the 36ers 115-99 behind Reidy (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Maley (19 points and 4 rebounds), giving the Giants only their fourth win of the season.

Shanahan’s best game of the season came against Townsville on May 17, where Shanahan (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) finished with his season-high scoring game, but North Melbourne lost 111-92 despite Pepper (22 points and 8 rebounds) and Goodwin (14 points and 7 rebounds) leading the Giants.

Shanahan (15 points and 4 assists) followed with another strong game against Adelaide on May 22 as North Melbourne defeated the 36ers 116-101, with Maley (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Pepper (20 points and 8 rebounds) helping the Giants claim their eighth win of the season.

Reidy (17.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) led North Melbourne in scoring, while Pepper (13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds) gave the Giants a new interior focal point after arriving from Newcastle. Maley (12.7 points and 4.9 rebounds) returned from injury and became one of the team’s steadier scorers, while Stiff (11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals), Goodwin (10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds), and Smith (7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals), who earned Rookie of the Year, were the other key contributors.

North Melbourne defeated Perth 109-103 in its final home game on June 5, with Shanahan (12 points) playing 32:14 minutes as Pepper (22 points and 7 rebounds) and McDonald (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists) led the Giants to one of their best wins of the season. The Giants closed the season the next night at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, falling 115-113 to Sydney to finish 10th with a 9-21 record, including only one road win, as Shanahan (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) played 21:35 minutes in the loss.

In an effort to boost sponsorship and membership numbers, South East Melbourne merged with North Melbourne at the end of the season, with the club re-launching as the Victoria Titans. With the majority of the front office being former Magic owners, Brian Goorjian was retained as head coach, leaving Brown without a job, and the Titans built their roster by taking McDonald, Pepper, Smith and Maley from North Melbourne and Jason Smith, Frank Drmic, Brett Wheeler, Mike Kelly and Tony Ronaldson from South East Melbourne, while Shanahan (to Brisbane) was not taken across to the Titans.

BRISBANE BULLETS
1998/99
After reaching the semifinals the previous season, Brisbane entered the 1998/99 campaign looking to build on its first playoff series victory since 1993. The Bullets lost Chuck Kornegay, CJ Bruton (to Wollongong), Ben Thompson (to West Sydney) and John Szigeti (retired), while captain Leroy Loggins, Steve Woodberry, Mark Nash and Rodger Smith returned under head coach Brian Kerle. With the NBL moving from a winter to a summer schedule, Kerle signed import Thaddeous Delaney to replace Kornegay in the frontcourt, while Ben Knight and Matthew Shanahan joined after being squeezed out of the North Melbourne Giants and South East Melbourne Magic merger that formed the Victoria Titans. Phil Doherty (via Perth) was also added after leaving the Wildcats in search of more playing time.

Shanahan had spent the previous five seasons with North Melbourne, winning a championship with the Giants in 1994 and developing into a versatile backcourt contributor. He averaged 6.4 points during the 1998 season as North Melbourne struggled to a 9-21 record, finishing tenth and missing the playoffs. Following the merger with South East Melbourne, the new Victoria Titans retained Brian Goorjian as head coach and built their roster around established players from both clubs, including Darryl McDonald, Tony Ronaldson, Brett Wheeler, Paul Maley, Ben Pepper and Jason Smith. Shanahan was not retained and instead signed with Brisbane, giving Kerle another experienced perimeter shooter to support Woodberry and Loggins.

Brisbane opened the season against Canberra at the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 9, where Shanahan (9 points and 5 assists) made three of four three-pointers in 21 minutes off the bench as the Bullets defeated the Cannons 110-78. Woodberry (33 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) made five three-pointers and led Brisbane in scoring, while Doherty (14 points and 11 rebounds) provided a double-double in his first game for the club. Former Bullet Mike McKay (16 points and 6 rebounds) led Canberra, but Brisbane recorded a convincing victory to begin the season.

Shanahan (6.2 points across 27 games) established himself as Brisbane’s most accurate perimeter shooter, leading the NBL in three-point percentage in 1999. He made 33 of his 69 three-point attempts during the regular season at 47.8 percent, finishing with 38 makes from 79 attempts at 48.1 percent across the regular season and playoffs. His ability to stretch the defence and provide additional ball-handling gave Kerle another option behind Brisbane’s established stars, although his minutes fluctuated throughout the season. Shanahan appeared in 25 of Brisbane’s 26 regular-season games and both playoff games, missing the January 29 matchup against Victoria.

On October 31, Shanahan (6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) made two three-pointers as Brisbane defeated West Sydney 95-80 at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Woodberry (33 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) made five of six three-pointers, while Delaney (10 points and 20 rebounds) dominated the glass with nine offensive rebounds. Simon Dwight (24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led the Razorbacks, but Brisbane’s perimeter shooting and rebounding proved decisive.

Brisbane travelled to Perth on November 15, where Shanahan (3 points and 2 assists) played 24 minutes, making one of two three-point attempts as the Bullets defeated the Wildcats 97-77 at the Perth Entertainment Centre. Woodberry (41 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals) produced his highest-scoring performance of the season, making an outstanding 17-of-22 field goals, while Loggins (20 points and 5 rebounds) provided support. Paul Rogers (19 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth, but Brisbane’s victory began a four-game winning streak.

Brisbane continued that winning run against defending champion Adelaide on November 21, where Shanahan (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) made two of three three-pointers as the Bullets defeated the 36ers 112-96 at Adelaide Arena. Loggins (31 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) delivered his season-high scoring performance, making four three-pointers and all nine free throws, while Woodberry (27 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists) narrowly missed a triple-double. Kevin Brooks (25 points) led Adelaide, but Brisbane’s experienced scoring combination proved too strong.

Shanahan produced one of his strongest all-round performances against Wollongong at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 4, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals while making four of seven field goals, including two three-pointers. Woodberry (31 points) led Brisbane in scoring and Loggins (15 points) provided support, while Clayton Ritter (22 points) was Wollongong’s leading scorer. The Bullets held on for a narrow 86-83 victory before defeating Townsville the following night to complete their fourth consecutive win.

Brisbane faced Sydney at the Brisbane Convention Centre on December 12, where Shanahan (4 points and 1 rebound) played 12 minutes as the Bullets fell 103-95 in overtime. Woodberry (38 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) played all 53 minutes and Smith (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, but Acie Earl (33 points and 12 rebounds) led the Kings to victory. Despite another major performance from Woodberry, Brisbane was unable to contain Sydney’s offensive production in overtime.

Shanahan continued to provide perimeter scoring against Perth at the Brisbane Convention Centre on December 19, finishing with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist while making three of five three-pointers. Woodberry (27 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) recorded a double-double and Nash (15 points and 10 rebounds) provided support, while Andrew Vlahov (24 points) led the Wildcats. Brisbane won 106-93, with Shanahan’s outside shooting helping the Bullets overcome one of the league’s stronger teams.

Against Melbourne at Melbourne Park on December 27, Shanahan (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) made two three-pointers while playing 21 minutes as Brisbane attempted to remain competitive against the Tigers. Loggins (29 points) made 12-of-17 shots from the field and five of six three-pointers, while Woodberry (22 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) recorded a double-double. However, Andrew Gaze (37 points) led Melbourne to a 102-91 victory, highlighting Brisbane’s continued reliance on its veteran scoring combination against the league’s stronger teams.

Brisbane returned to the winners’ list against Newcastle at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 9, where Shanahan (0 points and 2 rebounds) played 15 minutes but missed all three field-goal attempts. Loggins (24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane in scoring, while Woodberry (19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) contributed across both ends of the floor. David Simmons (20 points and 8 rebounds) led Newcastle, but the Bullets recorded a convincing 98-82 victory.

Shanahan delivered another strong shooting performance against his former club, Victoria, at Melbourne Park on February 20, finishing with 11 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist while making four of six field goals, including three of four three-pointers. Woodberry (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Brisbane in scoring and Knight (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) produced his highest-scoring game of the season. However, Frank Drmic (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Titans to a 101-95 victory, with Shanahan providing valuable perimeter scoring against the club that had left him without a roster spot following the merger.

Brisbane’s offence continued to revolve around Woodberry (27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals across 28 games) and Loggins (18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games), who remained the Bullets’ two leading scorers throughout the season. Woodberry produced the best statistical season of his NBL career, winning the 1999 Most Valuable Player award and earning selection to the All-NBL First Team for the second consecutive season. Loggins continued to provide scoring and defensive pressure despite turning 41 during the campaign, having also been selected to the NBL’s 20th Anniversary Team in 1998.

Outside Brisbane’s veteran scoring combination, Delaney (11.6 points and 10.6 rebounds across 28 games) provided rebounding and interior defence but never developed into the dominant replacement the Bullets had hoped for following Kornegay’s departure. Nash (8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds across 28 games) remained a reliable frontcourt contributor, while Doherty (8.2 points and 3.5 rebounds across 22 games), Knight (6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds across 28 games), Smith (6.5 points across 26 games) and Peter Harvey (4.5 points across 17 games) rounded out Kerle’s main rotation. Shanahan’s league-leading three-point accuracy was a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent supporting cast, but Brisbane’s lack of offensive depth meant the team regularly required major performances from Woodberry and Loggins just to remain competitive.

Shanahan later reflected on the challenges of being a role player during his appearance on the Aussie Hoopla podcast, discussing the less glamorous side of professional basketball and the lessons he had learned from veteran teammates including Loggins, Robert Rose, Ricky Grace and Darryl McDonald. His Brisbane season demonstrated his ability to provide highly efficient perimeter shooting while adapting to a supporting role behind established stars.

Shanahan’s best regular-season performance and highest-scoring game came against Canberra at AIS Arena on March 13, where he finished with 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals while making four of five three-pointers in 23 minutes. He made four of six field goals overall and committed no turnovers, providing one of his most efficient offensive and defensive contributions of the season. Woodberry (30 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 steals) narrowly missed a triple-double, while Loggins (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support. Melvin Thomas (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Canberra, but Brisbane won 107-97 to complete a 13-13 regular season and secure fifth place on the ladder, earning a qualifying finals rematch against Melbourne, which the Bullets had swept from the playoffs the previous season.

Brisbane opened its qualifying finals series against Melbourne at the Brisbane Convention Centre on March 20, where Shanahan (8 points and 1 rebound) made three of five field goals, including two of three three-pointers, while playing 16 minutes off the bench. Woodberry (29 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Loggins (24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Brisbane offensively, but Marcus Timmons (36 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) powered Melbourne to a 100-85 victory. Despite Shanahan’s efficient outside shooting, the Bullets were unable to contain Melbourne’s offensive firepower, leaving Brisbane trailing 1-0 in the series.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park on March 26, where Shanahan produced his highest-scoring performance of the season, finishing with 17 points and 1 rebound while playing 32 minutes, his longest appearance of the campaign. He made seven of 16 field goals, including three three-pointers, providing valuable offensive support as Brisbane attempted to keep its season alive. Woodberry (35 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) delivered another outstanding performance, while Loggins (17 points and 9 rebounds) added a further scoring contribution. However, Lanard Copeland (30 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Melbourne to a 98-92 victory, completing the two-game sweep and eliminating Brisbane from the playoffs in the opening round, marking the Bullets’ final postseason appearance until 2004.

WOLLONGONG HAWKS
1999/00
After suffering four straight playoff losses the previous season, Wollongong looked to improve by reshaping the roster. The team brought back former MVP Melvin Thomas while also adding Todd Mundt to strengthen the frontcourt. With CJ Bruton (22.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) leading the offense and Brendan Joyce at the helm, expectations were high, but the Hawks struggled to compete with the league’s top teams, finishing in eighth place with an 11-17 record.

The team’s struggles were partly due to a lack of consistency beyond their top players. Melvin Thomas (19.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) and Glen Saville (14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) were named co-MVPs, while Mat Campbell (14.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) provided additional scoring. However, Mundt (8.8 points, 4.9 rebounds) failed to make an impact and was replaced late in the season by Matt Garrison (17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), who provided an immediate upgrade but arrived too late to turn the season around.

Matt Shanahan played a limited role, appearing in just one game where he recorded 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.

2000/01
Prior to the start of the 2000/01 season, coach Brendan Joyce revamped nearly half the Wollongong Hawks’ roster after CJ Bruton (to Sioux Falls), Todd Mundt, Mike McKay, Mark Dalton and Darren Perry exited, bringing in Charles Thomas, Damon Lowery, Axel Dench, Grant Kruger, Matt Shanahan and veteran Ray Borner. The changes paid immediate dividends as the Hawks enjoyed their most successful regular season in franchise history.

Joyce retained co-captains Mat Campbell and Glen Saville together with Melvin Thomas and Matt Garrison, giving Wollongong a deeper roster built around chemistry, role players and balance rather than individual stars.

Wollongong opened the season at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 115-97 loss to West Sydney, where Melvin Thomas (25 points and 16 rebounds) and Charles Thomas (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Hawks, while Shanahan (4.8 points) was scoreless with 1 rebound in 1:19 minutes.

Shanahan played a short-minute guard role behind Wollongong’s main rotation, giving the Hawks another shooter off the bench and helping maintain their offensive spacing when Lowery, Campbell or Charles Thomas came off the floor.

His best regular-season scoring game came in Townsville on January 6, where Shanahan (12 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) made two three-pointers off the bench as Wollongong defeated the Crocodiles 105-100, with Dench (20 points and 6 rebounds), Melvin Thomas (19 points and 13 rebounds), Charles Thomas (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Campbell (13 points and 7 rebounds) helping the Hawks win on the road.

With six players averaging double figures, Wollongong became one of the league’s most balanced teams. Melvin Thomas (18.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals), Charles Thomas (16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals), Saville (15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks), Lowery (13.6 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals), Dench (13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) and Campbell (12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals) carried the main load as the Hawks finished fourth with a 21-7 record.

Wollongong went 12-0 in games decided by three points or fewer, finished with a league-best 12-2 road record and had no player selected to the All-NBL First or Second Team, highlighting how much of their success was built around depth and collective play. Saville and Melvin Thomas were named to the All-NBL Third Team, Dench won NBL Rookie of the Year and Joyce was named Coach of the Year.

Wollongong opened the qualifying finals with a 97-90 overtime win over Perth behind Melvin Thomas (22 points and 13 rebounds), Lowery (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists), Dench (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Campbell (10 points and 5 rebounds). Game two moved to Perth, where Shanahan (9 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) made two three-pointers in 10:28 minutes, but the Wildcats responded with a 106-95 win. Game three remained in Perth, where Saville (26 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists), Lowery (20 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals), Dench (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Charles Thomas (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Wollongong to a 98-88 win and the first playoff series victory in club history.

The semifinals opened in Adelaide, where Wollongong edged the 36ers 84-83 behind Melvin Thomas (18 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists), Charles Thomas (17 points and 6 rebounds) and Saville (14 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists). Game two returned to Wollongong, where Dench (26 points and 9 rebounds), Melvin Thomas (22 points and 11 rebounds), Saville (17 points and 15 rebounds) and Campbell (14 points) led the Hawks, while Shanahan was scoreless in 4:21 minutes as Adelaide won 111-100. Game three became one of the most dramatic finishes in NBL history, with Lowery (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) making three free throws with no time left to win 109-108 and send Wollongong to its first Grand Final series.

The Grand Final opened at the WIN Entertainment Centre against Townsville, where Wollongong won 104-101 behind Melvin Thomas (24 points and 14 rebounds), Campbell (19 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Charles Thomas (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Saville (14 points and 10 rebounds). Game two moved to Townsville, where Shanahan (11 points) made three three-pointers in 9:51 minutes, but the Crocodiles responded with a 114-97 win despite Lowery (25 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals), Charles Thomas (20 points and 5 assists) and Melvin Thomas (16 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks).

Game three saw Wollongong become the first New South Wales club to win an NBL championship, with Charles Thomas (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Melvin Thomas (18 points and 12 rebounds), Saville (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists), Dench (15 points and 11 rebounds) and Campbell (10 points and 3 rebounds) leading the Hawks to a 97-94 win, while Shanahan was scoreless in 1:51 minutes in the championship win.

2001/02
Following its breakthrough 2001 NBL championship, Wollongong returned to the competition as the defending titleholder. Shanahan remained with the Hawks in a supporting perimeter role, appearing in 25 games during the 2001/02 campaign. He averaged 3.0 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists, finishing with 75 points, 23 rebounds and 15 assists in 230 total minutes. He made seven three-pointers from 42 attempts while playing relatively limited minutes behind the team’s established guards.

Wollongong completed the regular season in fourth place at 16–14, and Shanahan’s final recorded appearance of the season came on 31 March 2002. His opportunities diminished compared with the championship campaign, setting up his move between clubs during the following season.

2002/03
Shanahan began the 2002/03 season with Wollongong following the Hawks’ first NBL championship in 2001. With opportunities restricted, he appeared in 10 games for the Hawks, contributing 0.9 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists in limited minutes. Wollongong eventually finished fourth with an 18–12 regular-season record.

Shanahan then moved to the Canberra Cannons during the campaign, taking on a much larger role in the backcourt. Across eight games for Canberra he averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists, recording 116 points, 37 rebounds and 31 assists in 264 minutes. He made 42 of his 99 field-goal attempts and 22 of 28 free throws during the stint. Canberra finished ninth with an 11–19 record and missed the postseason.

HUNTER PIRATES
2003/04
Shanahan signed with the newly established Hunter Pirates for the 2003/04 NBL season and became one of their most productive players. He took on a leading scoring and playmaking role, averaging a career-high 15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists across 28 games. He registered 439 points, 101 rebounds and 113 assists, while making 67 of 165 three-point attempts (40.6 per cent) in 1,123 minutes.

Hunter struggled through its inaugural campaign despite Shanahan’s production, recording just two wins in 33 games and finishing 12th. His efforts during the season became a major individual highlight even though the new franchise could not translate his offensive contributions into a competitive record.

PERTH WILDCATS
2004/05
After the Pirates’ difficult opening campaign, Shanahan moved west to the Perth Wildcats for 2004/05. Perth gave him an important perimeter rotation role, with Shanahan averaging 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists across 32 games. He totalled 258 points, 96 rebounds and 128 assists while shooting 40-of-109 from three-point range (36.7 per cent).

Perth finished the regular season seventh with a 17–15 record. Shanahan’s first Wildcats campaign added another stop to a career in which he had already played for several NBL clubs in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

2005/06
Shanahan remained with Perth for a second season and enjoyed his most substantial statistical campaign for the Wildcats. He averaged 11.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists across 36 appearances, accumulating 400 points, 126 rebounds and 157 assists. He made 69 three-pointers from 179 attempts (38.5 per cent), providing outside shooting and ball movement for the Wildcats.

Perth finished the regular season with a 16–16 record in seventh place. Shanahan then left the Wildcats after two seasons, having played 68 games for the club across 2004/05 and 2005/06.

SOUTH DRAGONS
2006/07
Shanahan joined the South Dragons ahead of the expansion club’s inaugural NBL season in 2006/07. He played 28 games, averaging 7.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists, and made 36 of 96 three-point attempts (37.5 per cent). His 201 points, 54 rebounds and 60 assists provided experienced backcourt support as South established itself in the league.

The Dragons finished their first regular season seventh with a 15–18 record and missed the playoffs. Shanahan returned for a second campaign as part of the team’s experienced core.

2007/08
Shanahan played 24 games in his final NBL season, averaging 3.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the South Dragons. He finished with 93 points, 47 rebounds and 35 assists in 516 minutes, converting 16 of 57 three-point attempts (28.1 per cent).

The Dragons endured a difficult second season, finishing 13th and last with a 5–25 record. Shanahan’s final recorded NBL game came on 16 February 2008. His long Australian career had included championships with North Melbourne in 1994 and Wollongong in 2001, as well as membership of South East Melbourne’s 1992 championship group before his first recorded NBL playing appearance.

Matthew Shanahan played sixteen seasons across nine NBL teams. This included the South East Melbourne Magic, North Melbourne Giants, Canberra Cannons, Hunter Pirates, Wollongong Hawks, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans, Perth Wildcats and South Dragons. He averaged 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 395 NBL games.