BIO: Phil Doherty was born in Perth (WA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Perry Lakes basketball program. Doherty received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1994. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1994, 1995).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Phil Doherty made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 19 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

1997
After Adelaide eliminated Perth in the 1996 quarterfinals, the Wildcats entered 1997 without Aaron Trahair (to Sydney), Pete Hansen (to Perry Lakes) and Matthew Earp (to Perth Redbacks), while Scott Fisher missed the entire regular season. Coach Adrian Hurley retained captain Andrew Vlahov, Ricky Grace, Todd Lichti, James Crawford, Anthony Stewart, Gavin Vanderputten, Phil Doherty and Ryan Gardiner, adding David Van Dyke (via Newcastle), Greg Brown (via Geraldton), Scott Harkess (via Emporia State) and Nick Lackovic (via the WA state league) to the roster.

Perth opened the season at the Perth Entertainment Centre on April 11, where the second-year forward (2 points) played 18 minutes off the bench as Stewart (17 points) and Grace (14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats, but Brian Tolbert (22 points and 6 assists) helped defending champion South East Melbourne win 104-84.

Doherty (3.5 points across 20 games) remained a reserve frontcourt option in his second season, improving his scoring from 2.2 points per game as a rookie and lifting his shooting from 35 per cent to 47 per cent from the field. He played 20 of Perth’s 30 regular-season games, with no injury listed during the season and his ten regular-season non-appearances coming as his opportunities remained limited within the Wildcats’ frontcourt rotation. During 1997, he also won a gold medal with Australia at the FIBA Under-23 World Championships in Melbourne.

Doherty’s best scoring game saw him finish with a season-high 11 points, one point better than his rookie-season high.

One of his strongest rebounding performances came against Canberra at the Perth Entertainment Centre on July 5, where Doherty (4 points and 7 rebounds) played 14 minutes as Grace (20 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals) and Lichti (19 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth to a 97-71 win.

George Banks (10.3 points and 7 rebounds across 7 games) (via Dinamo Sassari) joined the Wildcats in late June and gave Hurley another frontcourt option across seven games.

Lichti (16.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 34 games) led Perth in scoring, while Grace (16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 34 games) directed the offence and led the Wildcats in assists, with both appearing in all 34 games. Crawford (14.7 points and 7.4 rebounds across 31 games) remained productive around the basket, shooting 50 per cent from the field and appearing in his tenth consecutive NBL All-Star Game. Van Dyke (14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks across 24 games) led Perth in rebounding and blocks, while Vlahov (13.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games) and Stewart (13.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 33 games) rounded out Hurley’s main rotation.

Perth closed the regular season in Townsville on September 26, where Crawford (23 points and 5 rebounds) helped the Wildcats hold off the Suns 102-100, while Derek Rucker (36 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Chris Sneed (16 points and 10 rebounds) led Townsville. The win left Perth fourth with a 17-13 record.

Doherty was not used during Perth’s four playoff games.

The quarterfinal series opened at the Perth Entertainment Centre on October 4, where Grace (18 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals), Lichti (15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Vlahov (14 points and 12 rebounds) and Crawford (12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Perth to an 81-79 win over Brisbane.

Game two moved to the Brisbane Convention Centre, where Grace (25 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Vlahov (21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists), Van Dyke (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Lichti (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats to an 88-71 win and completed the sweep, with Crawford not playing.

Fisher (10 points and 5.5 rebounds across 2 games) returned for the semifinal series after sitting out the regular season.

The semifinals opened in Perth, where Lichti (20 points and 4 rebounds), Grace (19 points and 4 assists), Fisher (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Van Dyke (12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) were Perth’s best, but Chris Anstey (19 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 steals) and Tony Ronaldson (18 points) led South East Melbourne to a 92-82 win.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Grace (16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Van Dyke (13 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Perth, while Sam Mackinnon (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Magic as South East Melbourne won 96-69.

1998
Perth entered the NBL’s 20th and final winter season after finishing fourth at 17-13 and reaching the semifinals in 1997. Adrian Hurley stepped down after five seasons as head coach and Alan Black returned to the Wildcats, with David Van Dyke, George Banks, Scott Harkess and Ryan Gardiner departing. Captain Andrew Vlahov, Ricky Grace, Todd Lichti, Scott Fisher, James Crawford, Anthony Stewart, Gavin Vanderputten, Phil Doherty, Greg Brown and Nick Lackovic remained, while Greg Smith and former Duke guard Thomas Hill (via Jacksonville) joined the roster.

Doherty (4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds across 20 games) remained part of Perth’s reserve frontcourt during his third and final season with the Wildcats. He produced his best season in Perth, improving from 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds the previous year while lifting his field-goal shooting from 47 percent to 53 percent. His opportunities remained limited behind Fisher, Crawford and the returning Vlahov, with Dewey Michaels also joining the frontcourt during the season.

Perth lost four consecutive games between March 6 and March 22 before reversing its form with five straight victories through April 11. Vlahov returned to the lineup in April after missing the opening half of the season, while Michaels, the reigning SBL MVP and Grand Final MVP with the Perth Redbacks, was added after Hill’s nine-game stint ended.

Doherty’s highest-scoring performance of the season was an 18-point game, surpassing the 11-point career high he had recorded the previous year and standing as his best scoring performance during his three seasons with Perth.

Grace (18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.5 steals across 34 games) led Perth in scoring and assists and earned All-NBL Third Team honours. Lichti (17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals across 32 games) provided another major perimeter option, while Fisher (17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds across 32 games) returned to full-time action after knee reconstruction had limited him to two appearances the previous season and led the Wildcats in rebounding. Crawford (16 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) remained productive inside, while Stewart (11.7 points and 3.3 assists across 34 games) and Vlahov (12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 17 games) added further depth. Crawford, Fisher and Vlahov were selected to the NBL’s 20th Anniversary Team as Perth finished third with a 17-13 record.

Perth opened the elimination finals at Beaton Park on June 12, with Doherty not used as Fisher (37 points) and Lichti (18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats to a 95-85 victory. Mat Campbell (27 points and 5 rebounds) was Wollongong’s leading scorer in the final NBL game played at the Snakepit.

Game two moved to Challenge Stadium, where Doherty (2 points) made his only field-goal attempt in 3:29. Fisher (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Lichti (21 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth, while Elliot Hatcher (34 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) carried Wollongong as the Wildcats won 120-97 and completed the sweep.

Adelaide visited Challenge Stadium for the opening semifinal, with Doherty not used as Crawford (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Grace (20 points and 5 assists) led Perth. Brett Maher (36 points and 6 assists) made seven three-pointers and Darnell Mee (16 points and 14 rebounds) controlled the glass as the 36ers won 114-97.

Doherty again did not play when the series shifted to Adelaide Arena, where Vlahov (32 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Grace (26 points and 6 assists) led Perth. Mark Davis (32 points and 14 rebounds) led Adelaide to a 117-110 victory, completing the semifinal sweep and ending the Wildcats’ season.

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. A member of Australia’s gold medal-winning team at the 1997 FIBA Under-23 World Championships, Doherty had spent three seasons in Perth playing limited minutes behind the Wildcats’ experienced frontcourt of Scott Fisher, James Crawford and Andrew Vlahov. Having averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds during his final season with Perth, the move offered him an opportunity to establish a larger role in the NBL.

Brisbane opened the season against Canberra at the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 9, where Doherty (14 points and 11 rebounds) produced his best overall game of the season in his Bullets debut, making six of eight field goals, including his only three-point attempt. He also collected eight defensive rebounds and three offensive boards in just 23 minutes, recording the first double-double of his NBL career. Woodberry (33 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) made five three-pointers and led Brisbane in scoring, while Loggins (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support. Former Bullet Mike McKay (16 points and 6 rebounds) led Canberra, but Brisbane recorded a convincing 110-78 victory to begin the season.

Doherty (8.2 points and 3.5 rebounds across 22 games) produced the most productive season of his NBL career, improving on his scoring and rebounding from the previous year while seeing his playing time increase from 11.6 minutes per game in Perth to 19 minutes with Brisbane. He finished the season shooting 44 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range, with his ability to score inside and provide occasional perimeter shooting giving Kerle another offensive option off the bench. However, his increased responsibilities also brought inconsistency, with Doherty appearing in 20 of Brisbane’s 26 regular-season games before playing both postseason games.

Doherty delivered another strong performance against Melbourne at Melbourne Park on October 16, finishing with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists while making eight of 14 field goals and both free throws. Loggins (25 points and 3 rebounds) and Woodberry (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided the main offensive support, but Lanard Copeland (33 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led the Tigers to a 109-101 victory. The performance was Doherty’s highest-scoring game since arriving in Brisbane and demonstrated the additional offensive opportunities available to him following his departure from Perth.

On October 31, Doherty (7 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) helped Brisbane defeat West Sydney 95-80 at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Woodberry (33 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) 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 scoring and rebounding proved decisive.

Doherty’s highest-scoring game of the season came against Newcastle at the Brisbane Convention Centre on November 6, where he finished with a career-high 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist while making nine of 17 field goals. Woodberry (19 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, and 1 steal) recorded a double-double and Loggins (18 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, but Pat Reidy (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Falcons to a 101-84 victory. Despite Doherty leading Brisbane in scoring, Newcastle controlled the contest and the Bullets were unable to capitalise on one of his strongest offensive performances.

Doherty returned to Perth for the first time as a member of the Bullets on November 15, finishing with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block while making six of ten field goals against his former club. Woodberry exploded for 41 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, making an outstanding 17-of-22 shots from the field, while Loggins (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support. Paul Rogers (19 points and 7 rebounds) led the Wildcats, but Brisbane recorded an impressive 97-77 victory at the Perth Entertainment Centre. The result began a four-game winning streak for the Bullets and gave Doherty a successful return against the team he had left in search of more playing time.

Brisbane continued that winning run against defending champion Adelaide on November 21, where Doherty (6 points and 2 rebounds) played 17 minutes 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.

Doherty did not appear in Brisbane’s next six games between December 4 and December 31, missing the remainder of the calendar year as the Bullets recorded victories over Wollongong, Townsville and Perth before suffering losses to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. He returned against Victoria at the Brisbane Convention Centre on January 2, finishing with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 18 minutes. Woodberry (35 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Brisbane in scoring and Loggins (16 points and 4 rebounds) provided support, but Mike Kelly (23 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made seven three-pointers as the Titans defeated the Bullets 99-82.

Although Doherty returned to Brisbane’s rotation for the remainder of the season, his scoring became less consistent, with his minutes fluctuating as Kerle relied increasingly on his veteran stars. Doherty scored 15 points against West Sydney on February 13 and reached double figures again in the final regular-season game, but his role remained primarily as a supporting frontcourt option behind Delaney and Nash.

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 Knight (6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds across 28 games), Smith (6.5 points across 26 games), Shanahan (6.2 points across 27 games) and Peter Harvey (4.5 points across 17 games) rounded out Kerle’s main rotation. Shanahan provided valuable outside shooting, converting 48.1 percent of his three-point attempts, while Smith remained an important defensive presence. However, Brisbane’s lack of consistent scoring depth meant it often required a major performance from Woodberry or Loggins just to remain competitive, with Doherty unable to provide the consistent third scoring option the Bullets needed.

Brisbane entered the final weeks battling to secure a playoff position after struggling to maintain the consistency shown during its four-game winning streak earlier in the season. The Bullets closed the regular season against Canberra at AIS Arena on March 13, where Doherty (11 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block) made four of eight field goals in 18 minutes. 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 year.

Brisbane opened its qualifying finals series against Melbourne at the Brisbane Convention Centre on March 20, where Doherty (6 points, 1 rebound, and 2 blocks) played 15 minutes, making three of seven field goals while providing some defensive support inside. Woodberry (29 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Loggins (24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led the Bullets offensively, but Marcus Timmons (36 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) powered Melbourne to a 100-85 victory. Despite Doherty’s contributions off the bench, Brisbane was unable to contain the Tigers’ offensive firepower, leaving the Bullets trailing 1-0 in the series.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park on March 26, where Doherty (0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) played just six minutes, missing all three field-goal attempts. Woodberry (35 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) produced another outstanding performance, while Loggins (17 points and 9 rebounds) provided support. However, Lanard Copeland (30 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) 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.

Phil Doherty played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Brisbane Bullets and the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 5.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 112 NBL games.