Brian Wethers on the Hunter Pirates’ best season, his 2005 MVP run and the dark times of the 2000s NBL.
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
Release Date: 08/18/2025
Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 3 — The Race To New South Wales First NBL Championship
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
We continue our deep dive into one of Australian basketball’s greatest rivalries... Sydney versus Illawarra. This episode we continue on through the late 1990s and into the Hawks’ historic 2001 championship run. Host Dan Boyce picks up the rivalry from 1995 onward, exploring the coaching swaps, player defections, and the rise of a new generation of stars — from ’s move to Sydney and ’ breakout in Illawarra, to the emergence of , who would soon become the face of the Hawks. Featuring first-hand accounts from , Shane Heal, , , Bill Tomlinson, , and Glen Saville, this episode covers a...
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Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 2 — Hawks/Kings defections and the rivalry grows through the 90's
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
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 to get his throughts on whether his move to Sydney in 1983 was the starting point of the Kings v Hawks rivalry, before moving their the success of both teams during the 1990s Featuring first-hand accounts from Gordie McLeod, , , and , this episode continues to blends personal stories of the NBL's boom period, while continuing to flesh out the history of the Hawks v...
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Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 1 — The Origins of the Illawarra v Sydney Rivalry
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
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. Featuring first-hand stories from Bob Turner, Greg Hubbard and Chuck Harmison, this episode blends history, on-court flashpoints, and off-court theatre to show how the “Freeway Series” became must-watch basketball. Topics include: What...
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Brian Wethers on the Hunter Pirates’ best season, his 2005 MVP run and the dark times of the 2000s NBL.
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
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. We also revisit his return to the league with New Zealand, a blistering run of form that included multiple 30-point nights before injury struck. Wethers opens up about how the game has evolved since then, what came next after his playing days, and the...
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Fabijan Krslovic on joining Melbourne United, building a championship culture in Tasmania and being overlooked by fans and media
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
joins the podcast to reflect on his NBL journey so far, a 2024 championship run with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and what lies ahead in his new chapter with Melbourne United. Krslovic shares stories from his Boomers debut, his time as a junior alongside Ben Simmons and Dante Exum, and how he’s consistently earned his place in the league through grit, defence, and leadership. We also dive into his college days in Montana, his first pro stint in Europe with Phoenix Hagen, and his role in building the JackJumpers’ winning culture from day one. Topics include: 🏀 Playing for the Boomers...
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Jordan Hunter on His First Year with the Phoenix, Roster Changes, and Oscar Season Movie Reviews
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
joins the podcast to reflect on his first season with South East Melbourne, his time with the Boomers, and how he’s building a voice off the court through podcasting, filmmaking, and comedy. for your next set of basketball uniforms. Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring: Australian Basketball Legends: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Current NBL Stars: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Our Finest Coaching Minds: , Barry Barnes, , Adrian Hurley, Adam Forde, , Rob Beveridge, , , , Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, , Will Weaver, NBA Stars Past &...
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Andrew Svaldenis on the early years of Sydney Kings, the role of the Enforcer during the ‘80s and ‘90s, and the final NBL seasons for Hobart and Geelong
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
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 Cadee, his breakout years in Hobart under Cal Bruton, and what it was like to be part of the original Sydney Kings merger. We also dig into some of his biggest games, toughest matchups, and the evolution of the NBL through the lens of a blue-collar big man who saw it all....
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Brad Newley on Facing the Redeem Team, Thoughts on why he never made the NBA & Losing a Title to "COVID"
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, three NBL clubs, countless international tournaments, and a stint with the NBA’s Houston Rockets. From his breakout rookie season with Townsville to Olympic campaigns with the Boomers and his late-career leadership role at Melbourne United, Newley shares the highs, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his journey. We dig into his development at the AIS, becoming the first player to ever win NBL Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man in the same season, and his MVP performance at the 2005 NBL All-Star Game....
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Lamar Patterson on His NBL Career, Playing in India, and his chances of returning to the NBL
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
joins the podcast to talk through the highs, lows, and wild turns of a pro career that’s taken him from Pittsburgh to the NBA, NBL, China, Puerto Rico, and most recently, India. for your next set of basketball uniforms. Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring: Australian Basketball Legends: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Current NBL Stars: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Our Finest Coaching Minds: , Barry Barnes, , Adrian Hurley, Adam Forde, , Rob Beveridge, , , , Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, , Will Weaver, NBA Stars Past &...
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Nick Horvath on the 2009 Dragons vs Tigers Championship and Becoming the Author of an Action Hero
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—from Duke University to NBL champion and beyond. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. He shares stories from the heated South Dragons vs. Melbourne Tigers Grand Final, overcoming serious injury setbacks, and making the transition from import to local player in the NBL. Topics include: 🏀 We talk about Sledge Vs, Nick's highly successful action adventure novel (2:00) 🏀...
info_outlineBrian 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.
We also revisit his return to the league with New Zealand, a blistering run of form that included multiple 30-point nights before injury struck. Wethers opens up about how the game has evolved since then, what came next after his playing days, and the legacy he hopes to leave in Australian basketball circles.
Topics include:
🏀 Life after the NBL and what he’s doing now (2:00)
🏀 NCAA career at Cal and chasing the NBA dream (6:00)
🏀 Signing with the Hunter Pirates in 2003–04 (10:00)
🏀 How coaching styles have evolved since his playing days (19:00)
🏀 His MVP season and the Pirates' playoff run (25:00)
🏀 Signing with the NZ Breakers and battling back from injury (38:00)
🏀 Wrapping up his pro career (42:00)
🏀 Career highlights, hurdles, and moments that still stick with him (45:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.