Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 6 — LaMelo Ball, Spy-Gate and ‘The Hawks’ lose their Illawarra name

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up as LaMelo Ball and his Rookie of the Year season in 2019 propelled the Hawks into the global spotlight, setting NBL viewership and attendance records, while the Kings reloaded under Will Weaver and pushed for a…

Dan Boyce 0 February 2, 2026 1100 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 5 — Firepower Kings, Saville heads to Sydney and The “Resurrection Squad”

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up right after the Kings’ 2005 three-peat sweep of the Hawks and tracking how the “Freeway Series” evolved through the chaos of Firepower, the Kings’ disappearance, the rivalry’s rebirth in 2010, and the Hawks’ huge 2015/16 rebrand…

Dan Boyce 0 December 24, 2025 721 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 4 — Sydney’s Three-Peat Response To Wollongong’s 2001 Title

We continue our deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up from the Wollongong Hawks’ historic 2001 championship and tracking how the Kings and Hawks battled for New South Wales bragging rights through the mid-2000s. Host Dan Boyce revisits Wollongong’s underdog run to become the first…

Dan Boyce 0 December 8, 2025 524 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 2 — Hawks/Kings defections and the rivalry grows through the 90’s

We continue our deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — looking at the success of both teams during the 1990s. Host Dan Boyce picks up where Episode 1 left off, bringing in Hawks legend Gordie McLeod to get his throughts on whether his move to Sydney in 1983…

Dan Boyce 0 October 19, 2025 1068 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 1 — The Origins of the Illawarra v Sydney Rivalry

We crack open one of Aussie hoops’ spiciest grudge matches: Sydney vs Illawarra. Host Dan Boyce traces the rivalry back before the Kings even existed—into state-league days at the Snakepit—then follows it through the 1986 replay controversy, the Kings’ 1988 merger and rise, and the big-city v small-town energy that’s fuelled decades of heat. …

Dan Boyce 0 September 28, 2025 2911 Views

Podcasts

Brian Wethers on the Hunter Pirates’ best season, his 2005 MVP run and the dark times of the 2000s NBL

Wethers shares his journey from a standout NCAA career at Cal and NBA aspirations, to becoming one of the most explosive imports in Australian basketball during the mid-2000s. He breaks down the Pirates’ underdog rise in 2004 under Adrian Hurley, his dynamic partnership with Kavossy Franklin, and the unforgettable playoff push that followed. Visit…

Dan Boyce 0 August 18, 2025 2688 Views

Podcasts

Fabijan Krslovic on joining Melbourne United, building a championship culture in Tasmania and being overlooked by fans and media

Fabijan Krslovic joins the podcast to reflect on his NBL journey to date, a championship-winning run with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and what lies ahead in his new chapter with Melbourne United.<p> Krslovic opens up about representing the Boomers in FIBA qualifiers, the experience of playing alongside Ben Simmons and Dante Exum in Australia’s junior ranks,…

Dan Boyce 0 July 18, 2025 2309 Views

Podcasts

Jordan Hunter on His First Year with the Phoenix, Roster Changes, and Oscar Season Movie Reviews

Jordan Hunter joins the podcast to reflect on his first season with South East Melbourne, representing the Boomers, and how he’s building a creative identity off the court through podcasting, filmmaking, and stand-up comedy. Hunter shares what it was like to join the Phoenix for the 2024/25 NBL season, the internal shifts that followed Mike…

Dan Boyce 0 June 23, 2025 2875 Views

Podcasts

Andrew Svaldenis on early Sydney Kings memories, the role of the Enforcer during the ‘80s, and the final NBL seasons for Hobart & Geelong

Andrew Svaldenis joins the podcast to reflect on a 13-year NBL career that took him from Bankstown to Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, and Geelong—appearing in 299 games and carving out a legacy as one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt battlers across the ‘80s and ‘90s. Svaldenis opens up about debuting as a teenager under Robbie…

Dan Boyce 0 June 17, 2025 1779 Views

Podcasts

Brad Newley on Facing the Redeem Team, Thoughts on why he never made the NBA & Losing a Title to “COVID”

Brad Newley joins the podcast to reflect on an incredible basketball career that’s taken him from Adelaide to Athens, through Olympic Games, the EuroLeague, and a long homecoming run in the NBL. Born in the Adelaide suburb of Lower Mitcham, Newley’s journey began with the Forestville Eagles before taking him across South Australia, the Northern…

Dan Boyce 0 June 2, 2025 1521 Views

NBL News

MELBOURNE UNITED NEEDS TO DECIDE: Are they the Tigers or not?

Jensen Bradtke wearing his father Mark’s famous No. 50 should be one of the great stories of NBL27. Instead, it has again exposed a question Melbourne United has never properly answered: when does Melbourne Tigers history belong to United, and when doesn’t it? Seeing BRADTKE and No. 50 together on a Melbourne basketball jersey again should be nothing other than a celebration. Jensen Bradtke is beginning his first season with Melbourne United, wearing the same number his father Mark wore through one of the great…
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NBL News

The Next Step: Breakout player candidates for NBL27

Every NBL pre-season, there is plenty of attention on players around the league who could take the next step in their professional basketball journey. A breakout can happen in different ways. For some players, it’s getting more opportunity. For an established player, it can mean building on what they have already achieved and elevating their game to another level. For others, it may simply take a new home where their skills can be maximised. Below are four players who I think are ready to break…
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Podcasts

Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra

Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…
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Podcasts

Mitch McCarron on What Went Wrong in Adelaide, United’s 2021 Championship & Overachieving in Cairns

Former NBL champion and Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron joins the podcast to reflect on retiring from professional basketball at just 32, what went wrong during his three seasons with the Adelaide 36ers, and narrowly missing out on representing Australia at an Olympics or World Cup. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with McCarron about the injuries which ultimately ended his NBL career, his transition into coaching and player relations, and why he continues to play basketball with Eltham…
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Podcasts

Darnell Mee on Adelaide’s 2001 Heartbreak, Defending NBL legends and more

Two-time NBL champion and five-time NBL Best Defensive Player Darnell Mee returns to the podcast to revisit the unfinished stories from one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball, including Adelaide’s heartbreaking 2001 playoff exit, his decision to leave the 36ers and the fight to keep the Cairns Taipans alive. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Mee about watching his son Micale build his own basketball career in Australia, the chemistry behind Adelaide’s back-to-back championships, becoming teammates…
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NBL History

Australia’s Greatest Basketball Associations

Junior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more NBL talent than others, establishing themselves as important pathways into professional basketball. Until now, a complete record of the junior association responsible for developing every player to have competed in…
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Podcasts

Matt Garrison on Winning Back-to-Back Titles with Multiple NBL Teams, NBA Opportunities and Aussie Hoops Impact Overseas

Two-time NBL champion Matt Garrison joins the podcast to reflect on winning back-to-back championships with two different teams, helping the Wollongong Hawks claim their first NBL title in 2001 before joining the Adelaide 36ers and winning it all again in 2002. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Garrison about arriving in Wollongong as a mid-season import, adjusting from being a high-scoring starter to an important role off the bench, and being part of the Hawks team that…
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NBL History

Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History

In 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are the most efficient and devastating shooters in the 40-year history of the NBL? To cut through the noise, we have to look beyond raw percentages. By combining historical spreadsheet data…
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