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Townsville Crocodiles History, Records & Playing Rosters
Townsville All-time Individual Stats Leaders
Townsville Individual Records - Single Year Averages
Townsville All-time Individual Single Game Records
Townsville All-time Team Single Game Records
It was a very different team that took the court in the 1998/99 season. The team had been involved in a dispute with the NBA's Phoenix Suns, who held the "Suns" trademark in Australia.
Faced with the prospect of paying Phoenix royalties on merchandise sales, the team changed its name to the Townsville Crocodiles. New head coach Ian Stacker took the reins, and immediately attracted top-name talent like Australian Olympic player Sam Mackinnon, but it would take one more season before Townsville's long-suffering fans saw playoff basketball.
The NBL changed from playing a winter season to a Summer Season, distancing the competition from the football codes.
1998/99 - Townsville Crocodiles
5 James Harper
6 Sam Mackinnon
8 Michael Pennisi
10 Clinton Fox
11 Jason Cameron
14 Brad Davidson
21 Robert Rose © (MVP)
42 Simon Kerle
51 Grant Kruger
52 David Pennisi
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Shane Froling & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
The promise of being able to recruit players like Sam Mackinnon and Robert Rose was the main reason Ian Stacker was appointed as Head Coach.
This was the year that Rose begun his stellar career in Townsville where he would go on to play the most amount of games for the franchise (258), points (4406), assists (1266), blocks (128), steals (364), rebounds (1600)... pretty much every statistical category!
Simon Kerle posed nude for a mens magazine, which was not looked upon in a good light by management. Kerle left after this season and finished his career in Brisbane. He is 8th on the list of players who have played the most games in NBL history without winning a championship.
This was the final year with the franchise by Jason Cameron. A Mackay local, Cameron had played in every game since the Suns came into the league in 1993.
James Harper will be remebered most for his free throw percentage. Most of the crowd looked away when he went to the FT line. He shot his free throws at 43%.
Ian Stacker was named as coach of the month of January.
After leaving the club in hope to win a championship, Derek Rucker returned as a West Sydney Razorback. Townsville fans did not forget the heading on the front page of the Townsville Bulletin when he left: 'So Long Losers'. Rucker was booed every time he touched the ball but had the last laugh as the new franchise won with a John Rillie 3 pointer on the buzzer. Rucker threw the ball into the crowd and insensed the fans. The Croc had brought a live pig on the court during a timeout with a number 5 painted on the side. :)
Rucker finished his career in 3rd all time in most games without winning a championship (411).
1999/2000 - Townsville Crocodiles
6 Sam Mackinnon (co MVP)
8 Peter Crawford
14 Brad Davidson
15 Chris Novak
21 Robert Rose © (co MVP)
22 Pat Reidy
25 Mark Ferguson
33 Ben Knight
35 Andrew Goodwin
44 Mike Kelly
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Shane Froling & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
This was easily the best recruiting effort by the franchise, gaining Boomer, Pat Reidy, 1996 Grand Final MVP & defensive specialist, Mike Kelly, veteran Andrew Goodwin and youngster, Ben Knight. Adding to that were 3 local juniors, Mark Ferguson, Chris Novak and Peter Crawford.
The team went on a record 9 game away winning streak between 17/12/99 and 11/03/00.
Townsville finally made the playoffs after 7 years previous missing out including a wooden spoon. The team went on a parade through the city on the back of Harley Davidson's and were the toast of Townsville.
The Crocs finished equal top of the ladder in a 3 way tie with Adelaide and Perth on 22 & 6. We were awarded 2nd after a countback, which meant we were awarded a first round bye, then home court advantage in the 3 game semi final against Perth.
Perth Wildcats d. Townsville Crocodiles 2-1 (104-101; 78-101; 104-84).
Ian Stacker was named Coach of the Year and of the month of October. Sam Mackinnon was named in the All NBL Team as well as being named Player of the Month of November. Ben Knight was awarded the 6th Man of the Year and Andrew Goodwin was named Most Improved Player.
Goodwin holds the dubious honour of playing the most games in NBL history without winning an NBL Championship (431). He is 2nd all time in games played for Townsville (191) and 3rd in scoring (2930). 5 former Townsville players are in the top 10 in this category; Goodwin, Derek Rucker (411), Brad Davidson (393), Ben Pepper (384) & Simon Kerle (381).
2000/2001 - Townsville Crocodiles
6 Sam Mackinnon
8 Peter Crawford
14 Brad Davidson
15 Chris Novak
21 Robert Rose © (MVP)
22 Pat Reidy
25 Mark Ferguson
34 DuJuan Wiley
35 Andrew Goodwin
40 David Hinton
44 Mike Kelly
52 David Pennisi
Shaun Cavanaugh
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast Shane Froling & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
The Crocs set a record home winning streak of 12 between the 19/01/01 and 28/04/01 and a 11 game winning streak between 27/01/01 - 30/03/01 .
DuJuan Wiley was sent home for indisgretions after a game in Cairns and was replaced by David Hinton.
Sam Mackinnon only played 16 games due to deep bone bruising in his knee and did not play for the Crocodiles again. The Crocs were written off at that point with the first game in Sam's abscence coming against the Adelaide 36ers. It was a barn stormer! Andrew Goowin had 40 and Brett Maher also had 40 (his career high), with the Crocs winning in overtime, without Mackinnon, Wiley & Hinton who was not cleared to play.
The Crocs notched up their biggest victory of all time against Brisbane on the 16th of March. The final margin was a whopping 63 points.
Rose was named the NBL MVP, All 
NBL First team, Player of the Month for January & March. Ian Stacker was the Coach of the Month for both February and March. No one will ever forget the buzzer beating 3 pointer Rose hit against Sydney on the 23rd of March 2001.
Townsville once again finished equal first on the ladder, only to be demoted to 2nd by way of count back with the Victoria Titans (22 & 6).
After a disgraceful 28 point loss in the first game, the Crocs beat the 5th placed Sydney Kings in the first round 2-1.
Townsville Crocodiles d. Sydney Kings 2-1 (109-127; 121-113; 122-114)
The Titans were beaten in the first round by the Adelaide 36ers and once again the Crocs had to come from 1 game down against a very well coached and talented Victorian team to win 2-1.
Townsville Crocodiles d. Victoria Titans 2-1 (97-106; 98-82; 101-97)
Wollongong beat Adelaide in the Semi Final on a dubious foul and unbelieveable free throw by Damon Lowery. Townsville had home court advantage in the finals series which was the first time a NSW team had been in a final and the first time 2 regional teams had met in such a game.
Game 1: Wollongong Hawks 104 defeated Townsville Crocodiles 101 at Wollongong Ent. Centre
Game 2: Townsville Crocodiles 114 defeated Wollongong Hawks 97 at Townsville Ent. Centre
Game 3: Wollongong Hawks 97 defeated Townsville Crocodiles 94 at Townsville Ent. Centre
2001/2002 - Townsville Crocodiles
4 Graeme Dann
5 Shawn Harvey
8 Peter Crawford
10 Kelvin Robertson
12 Andrew Rice
14 Brad Davidson
15 Andrew Looke/Murdock
21 Robert Rose © (MVP)
22 Pat Reidy
32 Ray Owes
35 Andrew Goodwin
44 Mike Kelly
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Shane Froling & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
It was a very disappointing year following our maiden Finals appearance the year before. We did not make the playoffs.
Ray Owes was recalled to the franchise after playing in the 1998 season with the Suns. His last game was somewhat of a highlight; he was ejected for dissent towards a referee.
Shawn Harvey was brought into the team to replace Owes.
Andrew Looke joined the team from Brisbane and later changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Murdock.
Kelvin Robertson, a local legend, played his first game in the NBL and only game of the season against the Cairns Taipans. He had to wear number 10 and Graeme Dann wore number 4. Kelvin is now up to 252 for the Crocs, just 6 behind Rob Rose.
2002/2003 - Townsville Crocodiles
4 Graeme Dann
5 Wayne Turner (co MVP)
8 Peter Crawford
9 Graeme Anstey
10 Kelvin Robertson
12 Andrew Rice
15 Andrew Looke/Murdock
21 Robert Rose ©
22 Pat Reidy (co MVP)
25 Mark Ferguson
30 Adonis Jordan
35 Andrew Goodwin
44 Mike Kelly
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Shane Froling & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
University of Kentucky legend, Wayne Turner, was NCAA's all time leader in games played in Division 1, twice appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He was the catalyst for another trip to the Semi Finals after finishing 3rd after the regular season. Turner was injured for the first 4 games and was replaced by Adonis Jordan.
Jordan holds the 3rd longest break between NBL gigs (2554 days). He was a star for the University of Kansas before being drafted by Seattle in 1993 and found his way to the South East Melbourne Magic under Brian Goorjian in 1994 and 1995. After playing elsewhere around the world, including some time in the NBA, Jordan found his way back in Townsville for the start of the 2003 season near on 7 years later.
The Crocs went on an amazing run of 16 straight wins (including 10 at home) bewteen the 14th of December 2002 until the 1st of March 2003. All players and coaches made a pact to not shave their beards after starting the season 3-11.
The Wollongong Hawks were quickly becoming the Crocs bogey team, breaking the 16 game streak in the first game of the playoffs and won the series 2 nil.
Wollongong Hawks d. Townsville Crocodiles 2-0 (97-87; 102-101).
The Crocs then had to take on the minor premiers, Sydney, in the Semi Finals. The Crocs lost the first game by 23 but turned it around in the 2nd game, holding the high scoring Kings to just 91 in a 24 point win.
Sydney Kings d. Townsville Crocodiles 2-1 (124-107; 91-113; 114-99)
Stacker was named Coach of the Year after collecting the monthly award in December, January and February.
2003/2004 - Townsville Crocodiles
4 Kelvin Robertson
6 Jeremy Veal
8 Peter Crawford
9 Rueben Nembhard
10 Cameron Tragardh
13 Greg Vanderjagt
21 Robert Rose ©
22 Pat Reidy (MVP)
25 Mark Ferguson
30 Troy Turner
35 Andrew Goodwin
42 Carlos Daniel
44 Mike Kelly
45 Grant Kruger
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Shane Froling & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
In another disappointing year, the Crocs failed to make the Playoffs after experiencing import troubles. Carlos Daniel was sacked first after a bad start to the season, the Stacker admitted he cut the wrong import as Jeremy Veal did not fit into the team's chemistry.
Grant Kruger was re-signed after retiring from the league and playing for the local ABA team. Rueben Nembhard was brought in for 12 games and no one will ever forget his ugly jump shot. He shot just 53% from the FT line.
There was somewhat of a clean out after this season with popular players Mike Kelly, Andrew Goodwin & local Peter Crawford not resigned.
Rob Rose was named to the East All Star Team, scoring 12 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. The game was played in Melbourne.
2004/2005 - Townsville Crocodiles
4 Kelvin Robertson
5 Rob Brown
7 Derek Moore
11 Cameron Tragardh
13 Greg Vanderjagt
15 Adam Quick
20 Brad Newley
21 Robert Rose ©
22 Pat Reidy
30 Troy Turner
31 John Rillie (MVP)
34 Casey Calvary
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Scott Ninnis & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
Adelaide youngster Brad Newley was signed along with proven game winner, John Rillie, University of Portland alum and Melbourne native, Adam Quick and 2 explosive imports, Rob Brown and Casey Calvary.
Newley grew 2 inches during the season and took the NBL by storm. He took
out the 6th man of the Year, Rookie of the Year & All Star MVP Trophy. Newley scored 35 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished off 7 assists.
Rob Brown won the Slam Dunk Contest at the All Star game with some amazing dunks in front of his how crowd. He was well known during his season in the NBL for screaming after each dunk. He is now playing on the And 1 world tour as 'Wolverine'.
Brown, John Rillie and Casey Calvary also played in the All Star Game. Rillie almost had a triple double with 23 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. Brown led the 'World' Team with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Rillie and Calvary are both Gonzaga University alumni and were 2 of the best ever along with NBA players John Stockton, Ronny Turiaf, Adam Morrison & Dan Dickau.
Derek Moore was signed to replace an injured Pat Reidy and was a dominant force in the paint, blocking 2.5 shots per game in his 17 games.
John Rillie won the Player of the Month for both November and January. Ian Stacker won the Coach of the Month fot January and February.
The Crocs finished the regular season 3rd and faced the Melbourne Tigers in the Quarter Finals; a one game elimination.
Townsville Crocodiles d. Melbourne Tigers 1-0 (112-100)
Again Wollongong proved to be our down fall, losing in the Semi Finals 2-0.
Wollongong Hawks d. Townsville Crocodiles 2-0 (100-84; 109-105)
2005/2006 - Townsville Crocodiles
4 Kelvin Robertrson
9 Damon Lowery
11 Cameron Tragardh
13 Greg Vanderjagt
20 Brad Newley
21 Rob Rose
24 Michael Cedar
31 John Rillie
33 Larry Abney (MVP)
34 Casey Calvary
Max Murray
Coach: Ian Stacker
Ast: Scott Ninnis & Andrej Lemanis
Interesting Facts:
In another season that the Crocs were supposed to take the next step, we crumbled to second last. It was to be Ian Stacker's last season as head coach after 8 seasons.
Rob Brown was replaced by Marcus Fleming, but unfortunately when he arrived, he had a pre existing knee injury, which meant he was flown home. Our second choice proved to be an excellent choice! Larry 'The Birdman' Abney.
He was named in the All NBL Team and played in the 'World' All Star team, hitting 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Birdman led the league in rebounding with 11.3 and scored over 20 points per game.
Former Adelaide 36ers and SE Melbourne Magic guard, Scott Ninnis was signed as Assistant Coach. Another local boy, Michael Cedar, was signed to the team, along with Damon Lowery... does anyone know why we signed him?
2006/2007 - Townsville Crocodiles
4 Kelvin Robertson
6 Drew Williamson
9 Andrew Rice
12 Daniel Egan
13 Greg Vanderjagt
20 Brad Newley
22 EJ Rowland
24 Michael Cedar
30 Blair Smith
31 John Rillie © (co MVP)
32 Jelani Gardner
33 Larry Abney (co MVP)
Coach: Trevor Gleeson
Ast: Lyndon Brieffies & Rohan Short
Interesting Facts:
Trevor Gleeson was signed to the Crocs after a stint as an assistant with Brisbane, the Head Coach in Korea and the US and as a scout in the NBA.
Assistant coach Lyndon Brieffies returned to Townsville after playing for the Suns in the State League in 1988 and for the Brisbane Bullets in the first ever game in the Townsville Entertainment Centre in 1993. He scored 1 point.
Rob Rose was not re-signed to the team, must to the disgust of many fans and at the age of 42, he signed with arch rivals, the Cairns Taipans. Rose played 2 games in the NBA for the LA Clippers in he 88/89 season, won NBL MVP's in 
1993 & 2001 and was named in the NBL's 25th Anniversary Team.
Jelani Gardner only played 14 games before being replaced by EJ Rowland. EJ played the first 12 games of the season for the Sydney Kings.
Rowland, who starred at Saint Mary's College, was a revelation for the team, igniting the team's running game and hitting, open shooters like newly named captain, John 'The Real Deal' Rillie. EJ now plays for the Bulgarian National Team.
Larry Abney dubbed himself as 'The Birdman' and after an emphatic dunk, would do his birdman signal to the crowd. After the 2006/07 season, he flew the coop and landed in Taipans colours.
Brad Newley was named to the All Star Game in Adelaide.
2007/2008 - Townsville Crocodiles
1 Galen Young
3 Brad Sheridan
4 Kelvin Robertson
5 Chris Cedar
6 Drew Williamson
8 Corey 'Homicide' Williams
12 Daniel Egan
13 Greg Vanderjagt
24 Michael Cedar
31 John Rillie ©
32 Ben Pepper
42 Anthony Stewart
71 Rosell Ellis
Coach: Trevor Gleeson
Ast: Lyndon Brieffies & Rohan Short
Interesting Facts:
Ben Pepper is 2nd on the all time list for Most NBL games without 3-point make behind the Melbourne Tigers Forward, Warrick Giddey (449 games -0/21). Pepper played 384 NBL games and went 0/6.
2008/2009 - Townsville Crocodiles
3 Chris Cedar
4 Kelvin Roberston
5 Brendan McCully
6 Cameron Tovey
8 Corey Williams
9 Stephen Costanzo
10 Russell Hinder
12 Daniel Egan
24 Michael Cedar
31 John Rillie
33 Anthony Susnjara
42 Keegan Tudehope
43 Brad Williamson
71 Rosell Ellis
Coach: Trevor Gleeson
Ast: Lyndon Brieffies & Rohan Short
Interesting Facts:
2009/2010 - Townsville Crocodiles 
8 Corey Williams
2 Rolan Roberts
10 Russell Hinder ©
17 Peter Crawford
5 Jeff Dowdell
4 Kelvin Robertson
24 Michael Cedar
43 Brad Williamson
6 Cameron Tovey
33 Stephen Hoare
3 Chris Cedar
40 Keegan Tudehope
Coach Trevor Gleeson
Ast Lyndon Brieffies
Ast Rohan Short
ABNEY,LARRY 06-07 | AGRUMS,LUCAS 93-95 | ALEXANDER,MATTHEW 96 |
|---|---|---|
ANDREWS,BRIAN 93-94 | ANSTEY,GRAEME 03 | BLADES,DAVID 93-96 |
BOYD,STEVEN 93-94 | BROWN,ROBERT 05 | CALVARY,CASEY 05-06 |
CAMERON,JASON . 93-99 | CAVANAGH,SHAUN 01 | CEDAR,CHRIS 08-11 |
CEDAR,MICHAEL 06-11 | CHAMBERS,HOWARD 94 | COSTANZO,STEVEN 09 |
CRAWFORD,PETER 00-04 &11 | DANIEL,CARLOS 04 | DANN,GRAEME 02-03 |
DAVIDSON,BRAD 97-99 | DE AMBROSIS,TONY 97-98 | DICKINSON,CAMERON 94-96 |
DOWDELL,JEFF 10 | EGAN,DANIEL 07-09 | ELLIS,ROSELL 08-09 |
FERGUSON,MARK 00-04 | FLINN,MATHEW 95 | FOX,CLINTON 99 |
FROLING,SHANE 95-97 | GARDNER,JELANI 07 | GOODWIN,ANDREW 00-99 |
HALL,CHRIS 96-98 | HARPER,JAMES 99 | HARVEY,SHAWN 02 |
HINDER,RUSSELL 09-11 | HINTON,DAVID 01 | HOARE, STEPHEN 10 |
JENSEN,TONNY 93 | JOHNSON,DARRYL 94 | JONES,RICKY 93-94 |
JORDAN,ADONIS 03 | KELLY,MIKE 00-04 | KERLE,SIMON 97-99 |
KNIGHT,BEN 00 | KUBANK,GRAHAM 93-94 | KURTINAITIS,RIMAS 93 |
KRUGER,GRANT 96-04 | LEGASSICK,BRENDAN 94 | LINDSTROM,TRAVIS 96-98 |
LOWERY,DAMON 06 | MACKINNON,SAM 99/00-02 | McCULLY,BRENDAN 09 |
MITCHELHILL,KEIRON 93-98 | MOORE,DEREK 05 | MURDOCK (LOOKE),ANDREW 02-03 |
MURRAY,MAX 06 | NEMBHARD,RUBEN 04 | NEWLEY,BRAD 05-07 |
NOVAK,CHRIS 00-02 | O'DONNELL,SIMON 94-95 | OWES,RAY 98&02 |
PENNISI,DAVID 97-99 | PENNISI,MICHAEL 95-99 | PEPPER,BEN 08 |
POLLOCK,PETER 93 | QUICK,ADAM 05 | REIDY,PAT 00-05 |
RICE,ANDREW 02 & 07 | RILLIE,JOHN 05-09 | ROBERTS, ROLAN 10 |
ROBERTSON,KELVIN 02-10 | ROSE,ROBERT 99/00-06 | ROWLAND,E.J. 07 |
RUCKER,DEREK 95-98 | SHERIDAN,BRAD 08 | SIMMONS,ADAM 93 |
SIMPSON,PAUL 93 | SMITH,BLAIR 07 | SMITH,DARREN C 93 |
SNEED,CHRIS 97 | STEWART,ANTHONY 08 | STUMP,GLENN 95 |
SUSNJARA,ANTHONY 09 | TOVEY,CAMERON 09-10 | TRAGARDH,CAMERON 04-06 |
TUDEHOPE,KEEGAN 09-10 | TURNER,TROY 04-05 | TURNER,WAYNE 03 |
TYSON,CLARENCE 95-97 | VANDERJAGT,GREG 04-08 | VEAL,JEREMY 04 |
WARD,CARL 95-96 | WARREN,JEFF 94 | WILEY,DUJUAN 01 |
WILLIAMS,COREY 08-10 | WILLIAMSON,BRAD 09-10 | WILLIAMSON,DREW 07-08 |
YOUNG,GALEN 08 | ALLEN,BEN 11 | SCHENSCHER,LUKE 11 |
