NICKNAME/S: The Landlord

BIO: Simon Dwight was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Dandenong basketball program. Dwight received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1993. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1993, 1994).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Simon Dwight made his NBL debut with the Canberra Cannons at 18 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.

In 1995, Dwight averaged 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists as the Cannons finished in ninth place with a 12-14 record.

1996
During the 1996 season, Dwight stepped into a larger role for Canberra, averaging 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. His contributions helped guide the Cannons to a fourth-place finish in the regular season with a 16-10 record.

1997
Dwight continued to improve in 1997, increasing his production to 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. His strong play helped the Cannons secure a fifth-place finish in the regular season with a 15-15 record.

1998
In 1998, Dwight remained one of Canberra’s most reliable players, averaging 15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. The Cannons finished seventh in the regular season with a 14-16 record but fell short of a deep playoff run.

WEST SYDNEY RAZORBACKS
1998/99
The 1998/99 season marked the debut of the West Sydney Razorbacks, a newly established franchise led by General Manager Robbie Cadee and head coach Gordie McLeod. The team built a strong foundation with former league MVP Derek Rucker (via Townsville), veteran forward Bruce Bolden (via Sydney), sharpshooter John Rillie (via Adelaide).

With the Canberra Cannons financial issues growing, Simon Dwight was also enticed to join the team thanks to a much larger offer from the West Sydney front office.

The Razorbacks immediately made their presence felt in their inaugural game, securing a hard-fought victory over Sydney (103-97) on the road. The momentum continued with a second win against Canberra (104-89), but the team suffered its first setback in a narrow loss to Newcastle (87-89).

West Sydney displayed its potential early in the season, recording historic back-to-back road wins over Adelaide (112-95) and Perth (98-95) to become the first team in NBL history to complete the “Doomsday Double.” However, inconsistency became an issue as the season progressed, with a road loss to Wollongong (91-100) followed by a home defeat against Victoria (81-92), marking the start of a difficult stretch.

Simon Dwight (14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks) anchored the Razorbacks’ defense, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier rim protectors and leading the NBL in blocked shots. His defensive presence complemented the offensive firepower of team captain Derek Rucker (20.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists), perimeter sharpshooter John Rillie (17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists), and Sixth Man of the Year Bruce Bolden (15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists).

Despite Dwight’s defensive dominance, the Razorbacks struggled to maintain consistency in the second half of the season. Key losses to Victoria (73-101) and Melbourne (90-109) made the playoff push increasingly difficult. However, the team delivered one of its most impressive performances in a home win over Sydney (78-72), where Dwight’s shot-blocking and defensive presence played a crucial role in limiting the Kings’ offensive output.

West Sydney finished their inaugural season in eighth place on the NBL ladder (12-14), with road struggles ultimately proving costly in their bid for a playoff spot.

1999/00
The Razorbacks’ second season saw head coach Gordie McLeod looking to build on the foundation established in their inaugural campaign. The team’s core remained intact, with import Cheikh Ya Ya Dia replacing Ernest Nzigamasabo in the frontcourt, and Greg Blake (via Newcastle) being the only other major addition. Simon Dwight, coming off a strong season where he established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the NBL, was once again expected to be a key presence inside for West Sydney.

West Sydney opened the season with a commanding 98-82 victory over Brisbane at the Sydney SuperDome. A dominant performance against Victoria (104-78) in round two was followed by a 95-85 win over Perth, giving the Razorbacks a 3-0 start to the season.

Dwight (14.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks) anchored the defense for West Sydney, providing elite rim protection and once again leading the NBL in blocked shots per game (3.0). His ability to alter shots and control the paint made him one of the most feared defenders in the league. Offensively, he continued to be an efficient option inside, working well alongside team captain Derek Rucker (20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists), who orchestrated the offense, and John Rillie (18.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists), who provided perimeter scoring. Cheikh Ya Ya Dia (13.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) complemented Dwight in the frontcourt, while Bruce Bolden (11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) provided valuable experience and stability.

Despite early success, inconsistency became a recurring issue as the season progressed. A 101-86 road loss to Brisbane marked the team’s first defeat, followed by a setback against Perth (102-113) in round seven. The Razorbacks bounced back with key wins over Canberra (103-90) and Melbourne (121-107), but a string of costly road losses—including a 19-point loss to Victoria (81-100) and a 94-121 blowout against Canberra—hurt their playoff positioning.

A highlight of the season came in round 11, when the Razorbacks faced Sydney at the SuperDome in front of a record-breaking NBL crowd of 17,803. West Sydney secured a hard-fought 88-81 victory over their crosstown rivals, a defining moment in the season.

The Razorbacks finished the regular season in sixth place with a 12-16 record, securing their first-ever playoff berth. In the elimination finals, West Sydney hosted Perth in game one at the Whitlam Centre, coming away with a 91-80 victory behind Dwight’s defensive presence and rebounding, which helped control the paint.

Game two shifted to Perth, where the Wildcats responded with a 99-88 win, setting up a decisive third game. Back at the Perth Entertainment Centre, the Wildcats proved too strong, defeating the Razorbacks 82-74 to eliminate them from the playoffs.

2000/01
The Razorbacks entered the 2000/01 season looking to build on their first-ever playoff appearance, relocating from Liverpool’s Whitlam Centre to the State Sports Centre in Homebush Bay. Head coach Gordie McLeod retained the core of the roster, led by captain Derek Rucker, alongside key contributors John Rillie, Cheikh Ya Ya Dia, Bruce Bolden, and Simon Dwight. Scott McGregor (via Sydney) was added to bolster the frontcourt, while Bolden’s naturalisation allowed the team to sign an additional import, Jason Singleton.

West Sydney opened the season in emphatic fashion, defeating Wollongong 115-97, with their balanced attack on full display. However, inconsistency quickly became an issue, as the Razorbacks dropped their next three games, falling to Victoria (93-110), Adelaide (94-114), and Townsville (96-112). A hard-fought 103-99 road win over Cairns helped the team regain some momentum, but they continued to struggle with consistency throughout the season.

Simon Dwight (16.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks) anchored the Razorbacks’ defense, leading the league in blocked shots for the third consecutive season. His rim protection remained a cornerstone of West Sydney’s game plan, while his offensive game continued to evolve. Dwight’s interior presence provided balance to the perimeter firepower of Derek Rucker (19.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists) and John Rillie (19.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists). Cheikh Ya Ya Dia (15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) added much-needed physicality inside, while Bruce Bolden (12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) provided veteran leadership.

The Razorbacks’ struggles were highlighted in round four when they were outplayed by Sydney (101-113), failing to keep pace with their crosstown rivals. Back-to-back losses to Victoria (101-112) and Perth (91-92) saw the team slip further down the standings. A 114-92 victory over Brisbane in round 10 provided a much-needed confidence boost, while a commanding 121-93 win over Melbourne in round 15 demonstrated what the team was capable of when executing at a high level.

Midseason changes saw Jason Singleton (12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) released after 12 games. In February, former NBA player James Cotton was signed, but he made little impact, appearing in only three games before also being released, averaging 4.3 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.7 assists.

Despite Dwight’s continued dominance in the paint, the Razorbacks were unable to find consistency down the stretch, dropping key games late in the season, including defeats to Perth (75-110), Melbourne (101-125), and Sydney (101-122).

West Sydney finished the season in eighth place with a 9-19 record, missing the playoffs after back-to-back postseason appearances.

2001/02
After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Razorbacks entered the 2001/02 campaign determined to re-establish themselves as contenders. The team secured a major offseason signing in Sam MacKinnon (via Townsville), a versatile two-way talent expected to be a difference-maker. However, a knee injury ruled MacKinnon out for the entire season, forcing the team to rely on their existing core. New additions Phil Handy and David Hinton were brought in to bolster the roster alongside returning players John Rillie, Derek Rucker, Bruce Bolden, Cheikh Ya Ya Dia, Scott McGregor, and defensive anchor Simon Dwight.

West Sydney opened the season with a road loss to Sydney (99-117) but responded with a commanding 107-81 win over Wollongong, setting the tone for the year. The team followed up with victories over Melbourne (110-89) and Perth (119-98), signaling their intent to compete for a playoff spot.

Simon Dwight (17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks) was a dominant force in the paint throughout the season, once again leading the league in blocked shots and earning the NBL Best Defensive Player award. His rim protection and rebounding were crucial in West Sydney’s defensive schemes, allowing the team to control the interior against some of the league’s top offenses. Alongside Dwight, John Rillie (22.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) provided elite perimeter scoring, leading the NBL in three-point percentage (47.4%), while Derek Rucker (16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists) continued to provide veteran leadership. Bruce Bolden (13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) and Phil Handy (11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) offered additional support on both ends of the floor.

The Razorbacks experienced some midseason struggles, suffering losses to Brisbane (104-108) and Sydney (98-114), but responded emphatically with a 130-80 demolition of Cairns, where Dwight was instrumental in shutting down the Taipans’ interior attack. His defensive dominance continued as the Razorbacks picked up wins over Perth (106-99) and Victoria (81-79), though they stumbled in tough losses to Melbourne (85-104) and Adelaide (93-104).

One of Dwight’s standout performances came in a February 9 showdown against Sydney, where West Sydney secured a dominant 124-95 victory. His shot-blocking presence disrupted the Kings’ offensive rhythm, and his rebounding allowed the Razorbacks to control second-chance opportunities.

West Sydney finished the regular season with a 16-14 record, tying with Wollongong and Melbourne. Due to a three-way head-to-head tiebreaker, the Razorbacks secured the fifth seed and returned to the playoffs.

In the elimination finals, the Razorbacks hosted Perth in game one at the State Sports Centre, delivering a commanding 106-85 victory. Dwight’s defense was a key factor in limiting the Wildcats’ scoring opportunities.

Game two in Perth saw West Sydney close out the series with a 109-98 win, advancing to the semifinals.

In game one of the semifinals, the Razorbacks fell to Melbourne (93-114) at Hisense Arena. However, in game two, Dwight’s defensive presence and interior scoring helped propel West Sydney to a 125-109 victory, forcing a deciding game three.

Game three saw the Razorbacks advance to their first-ever Grand Final with a 115-103 victory, making history as the first Sydney-based team to reach the championship series.

In the Grand Final series, the Razorbacks fell in game one to Adelaide (106-97) at the Adelaide Arena but responded in game two with a 103-100 victory at the State Sports Centre.

Game three saw Adelaide put together a historic shooting performance, hitting a Grand Final record 19-of-31 three-pointers (61.2%) in a 125-107 win, securing their fourth NBL championship and denying the Razorbacks their first title.

2002/03
After helping lead the Razorbacks to the NBL Grand Final the previous season, Simon Dwight returned as the team’s defensive anchor, once again expected to be one of the league’s premier rim protectors. West Sydney’s roster saw notable changes heading into the season, with John Rillie departing to play for AEK Athens in Greece and Willie Farley (via Adelaide) brought in to replace him. Former Sydney Kings guard Aaron Trahair (via Sydney) was also signed to strengthen the backcourt, while Sam MacKinnon, who had missed the entire previous season due to injury, was set to make his long-awaited club debut.

West Sydney opened the season with a strong statement, defeating Adelaide 104-92 at home before following it up with a commanding 122-106 win over Brisbane. Dwight (15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks) continued to be a force in the paint, controlling the boards and protecting the rim, as he looked to defend his Best Defensive Player award. Despite a promising start, the Razorbacks soon struggled with inconsistency, dropping three consecutive games, including a 94-122 loss to crosstown rivals Sydney and a 91-117 road defeat to Canberra.

As the season progressed, Dwight’s interior presence remained a critical component of the Razorbacks’ defense, while Sam MacKinnon (15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) provided versatility on both ends. Derek Rucker (17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists) continued to lead the team from the point guard position, while Farley (16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) contributed as a scoring threat on the perimeter. Dwight’s shot-blocking dominance once again set him apart from the rest of the league, as he remained the NBL’s premier rim protector.

A strong midseason stretch saw the Razorbacks pick up key wins, including victories over Canberra (92-78), Townsville (104-87), and Cairns (116-105). Dwight was instrumental during this run, anchoring the defense while continuing to provide valuable scoring and rebounding. One of his best performances came in a narrow 96-95 victory over Melbourne, where he recorded a double-double and a season-high in blocks.

Disaster struck midway through the season when Dwight suffered a knee injury in a win over Townsville. An MRI revealed deep bone bruising, sidelining him for an extended period. His absence created a significant void in the Razorbacks’ defense, forcing the team to adjust without their best shot-blocker. The injury opened up a roster spot, allowing the club to pursue former Razorback John Rillie, who had been released from his contract with AEK Athens. Rillie ultimately returned to West Sydney, providing a much-needed offensive boost.

Even with Rillie’s return, the loss of Dwight proved difficult for the team to overcome. His defensive presence had been a key factor in West Sydney’s ability to challenge opponents inside, and without him, the Razorbacks struggled to contain opposing big men. Further compounding their problems, Derek Rucker suffered a fractured elbow later in the season, leaving the team without their floor general for a month.

Off the court, the Razorbacks were hit with organizational turmoil. Late in 2002, it was revealed that “The Oasis” development, a project connected to the team’s ownership group, had been plagued by misappropriation of funds.

Despite Dwight’s contributions prior to his injury, West Sydney was unable to maintain their momentum. A series of crucial losses, including a 101-124 defeat to Perth and a 101-104 loss to Victoria, saw the team fall out of the playoff race. They ultimately finished outside the postseason picture, failing to replicate the success of the previous year.

Even with his shortened season, Dwight’s defensive excellence was once again recognized, as he led the league in blocked shots (3.5 per game) and was named the NBL’s Best Defensive Player for the second consecutive year.

The West Sydney Razorbacks entered the 2003/04 season with a bold new approach, choosing not to re-sign import Willie Farley and veteran foundation duo Derek Rucker and Bruce Bolden. In doing so, they made history by becoming the first team in the modern NBL era to field an all-Australian roster. With John Rillie returning from his stint in Greece and Sam MacKinnon fully recovered from injury, the Razorbacks finally had a stable core to build chemistry and push for a championship.

Simon Dwight remained the defensive anchor and interior force for West Sydney, setting the tone for their strong start to the season. The Razorbacks opened their campaign with a commanding 119-103 victory over Hunter, with Dwight dominating both ends of the floor (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists), while MacKinnon (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists) provided his trademark versatility.

Despite winning three of their first four games, West Sydney hit a rough patch, suffering three consecutive defeats, including a 97-83 loss to Sydney, where Matt Nielsen was dominant (29 points and 8 rebounds). Losses to Wollongong (81-90) and Victoria (101-106) followed, leaving the Razorbacks with a 3-4 record and their season at a critical juncture.

The team responded emphatically, embarking on a season-defining 10-game winning streak. Dwight’s presence in the paint was a key factor during this run, as he continued to lead the league in blocks and provided a defensive backbone for the Razorbacks. The winning streak included redemption victories over Sydney (97-87), Wollongong (109-105), and Victoria (107-95), as West Sydney climbed back into title contention.

John Rillie (20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) emerged as the team’s leading scorer, while MacKinnon (17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks) and Dwight (15.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.7 blocks) formed a formidable local trio. The starting five was completed by Aaron Trahair (13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) and Scott McGregor (13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists), while Russell Hinder (9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) and rookie Steven Markovic (8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) provided valuable contributions off the bench.

In February, West Sydney suffered a setback when McGregor sustained a season-ending injury in a 110-99 loss to Wollongong. With McGregor sidelined, Hinder stepped into the starting lineup, while Markovic saw increased playing time. Despite this adversity, the Razorbacks maintained their strong form, finishing the regular season in third place with a 22-11 record, setting new club records for most wins in a season, most home wins, and most road victories.

The Razorbacks carried their momentum into the playoffs, defeating Cairns 110-88 in the elimination final. Dwight’s defensive dominance was on full display as he contributed 11 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks, while Trahair (31 points, 4 assists) and MacKinnon (28 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) led the scoring.

West Sydney then swept Wollongong in the semifinals, winning Game 1 by 16 points (107-91), with Dwight posting 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to go along with Rillie’s 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. MacKinnon (12 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists) played a key role as well. In Game 2, Rillie delivered one of the best individual performances of the season, torching the Hawks for 45 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals while shooting 17-of-26 from the field, securing a 110-95 victory and a trip to the Grand Final.

For the first time in NBL history, the Grand Final was a best-of-five series, with West Sydney facing their crosstown rivals, the Sydney Kings. The Kings, led by league MVP Matt Nielsen, had finished atop the ladder with a 26-7 record, making them the favorites heading into the series.

Sydney took Game 1 with a 96-76 victory, powered by CJ Bruton’s sharpshooting (35 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 9-of-16 shooting). Dwight led the way for the Razorbacks with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, keeping West Sydney competitive despite the loss.

West Sydney responded in Game 2, locking down the Kings defensively in an 87-72 victory. Rillie (18 points) and Trahair (17 points) paced the offense, while Dwight’s interior defense helped the Razorbacks even the series.

Game 3 proved to be a thriller, with the Razorbacks securing a dramatic 82-80 overtime victory to take a 2-1 series lead. Dwight (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) was a force inside, while MacKinnon (14 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists) controlled the boards, and Rillie (18 points) delivered in clutch moments.

With the championship on the line in Game 4, Rillie erupted for 31 points, but Sydney held on for an 82-77 win, setting up the first-ever Game 5 decider in NBL history.

In front of 9,609 fans at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the Razorbacks fought hard, but Sydney’s defense shut down Rillie, limiting him to 12 points and 10 rebounds. Trahair (20 points) and Dwight (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the way for West Sydney, but the Kings pulled away late for a 90-79 victory. Ebi Ere delivered an explosive fourth quarter, scoring 25 points to seal the win, while Brett Wheeler (18 points, 11 rebounds) and Nielsen (14 points, 12 rebounds) controlled the interior. Nielsen was awarded Grand Final MVP honours, adding to his regular-season MVP award.

Despite the disappointment of falling short in the Grand Final, the 2003/04 season was one of the Razorbacks’ most successful campaigns. Simon Dwight’s defensive dominance was once again recognized, as he led the league in blocks while anchoring the team’s interior. John Rillie and Sam MacKinnon were named to the All-NBL First Team, while Steven Markovic was honored as the NBL Rookie of the Year. West Sydney’s record-breaking season cemented their status as one of the league’s premier teams.

2004/05
After reaching the 2004 NBL Grand Final, the West Sydney Razorbacks underwent major changes. Head coach Gordie McLeod was released after six seasons at the helm, with longtime assistant Mark Watkins stepping into the head coaching role following a player endorsement. Meanwhile, financial instability within the club’s ownership, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, played a significant role in shaping the team’s offseason. The Bulldogs were fined and stripped of their wins due to serious breaches of the NRL salary cap, adding further uncertainty to the Razorbacks’ future.

West Sydney faced key departures in the offseason. Leading scorer John Rillie (to Townsville) and key bench contributors Russell Hinder (to Hunter) and David Pennisi (to Europe) all departed, while Brad Williams retired. These exits created significant holes in the roster, forcing the Razorbacks to retool.

Key players returning to the lineup were captain Sam MacKinnon, Simon Dwight, Scott McGregor, who had missed the previous season due to a season-ending injury. and reigning NBL Rookie of the Year Steven Markovic who would look to step up into the hole left by Rillie. The team, which had played the previous season with an all-Australian roster, opted to bring in Nick Horvath (via Duke University) as their marquee import.

Nick Horvath (20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) would immediately became the team’s most potent offensive weapon as Simon Dwight (15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.2 blocks) and Sam MacKinnon (14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks) continued to steer the squad at both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Scott McGregor (12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) provided additional scoring and leadership upon his return.

West Sydney would open the season with a loss to Perth (97–120) but bounce back with a win over Brisbane (106–75) in Round 2. The remainder of the season was dismal for West Sydney, who suffered a four-game losing streak after that, which included a home loss to Melbourne (97–105) and back-to-back defeats by Adelaide (85–102) and Perth (90–101).

The Razorbacks rebounded in Round 8, securing an impressive 96–82 win over Wollongong, with Horvath (29 points, 14 rebounds) and MacKinnon (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) leading the way. Another close contest saw West Sydney defeat Cairns 87–84, with Markovic (18 points, 6 assists) showing his growing influence in the backcourt. Despite these promising performances, inconsistency plagued the team throughout the season, preventing them from stringing together consecutive wins for extended periods.

The team’s struggles were further exposed in a seven-game losing streak from January 2 to January 29, 2005. This stretch effectively eliminating any playoff hopes. Although the Razorbacks managed to snap their losing streak with a home victory over Hunter (103–76) thanks to a big game from McGregor (21 points, 7 rebounds) stepped up.and another standout win on February 11, when they defeated the Hawks 117–95 in one of their best offensive performances of the season. However, these efforts were not enough to turn their season around.

West Sydney finished the season in ninth place with an 11–21 record, missing the playoffs after making the Grand Final the previous year.

Although Dwight had intended to play the 2005/06 season a chronic knee injury would force him into early retirement, ending his NBL career.

Simon Dwight played eleven seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Canberra Cannons and the West Sydney Razorbacks. He averaged 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 314 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 33rd in total rebounds
– 1st in total blocks
– 2nd in blocks per game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Dan Boyce (832 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.