Melbourne Tigers
Established	1984
Team Colours	Red and Yellow
Home Venue	State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne
Major Sponsor	Aust Tiger Wines
Championships	1993, 1997, 2006
Team History	Melbourne Tigers (1984-Present)
Chief Executive	Seamus McPeake
Coach	Alan Westover
Captains	Darryl McDonald and Chris Anstey
Website	www.tigers.com.au

The Melbourne Tigers is a team in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), and along with the South Dragons is one of two teams based in Melbourne. Image File history File links Melbourne_Tigers. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... State Netball and Hockey Centre is an indoor sporting arena located in Melbourne, Australia. ... The City of Melbournes coat of arms The central business district of Melbourne, viewed from the north Alternate meanings: Melbourne (disambiguation) Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia, with a population of 52,117 in the Central... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The National Basketball League is Australias top-level professional basketball competition. ... The South Dragons are set to debut in Australias National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2006-07 season. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ...

The Melbourne Tigers Club has become one of the premier clubs in Australian basketball, and also enters a team in the Big V conference of the Australian Basketball Association. Big V Logo The Big V consists of 91 basketball teams playing across 9 competitions. ... Australian Basketball Association Logo The Australian Basketball Association (ABA) is Australias second-tiered, semi-professional basketball competition which sits under the NBL and the WNBL. The ABA is representative of the huge number of junior-based associations across the country and is the endorsed national development league of the...

Early Struggles - '84 - '91

The Tigers joined the National Basketball League in 1984. Throughout the majority of the 1980's, they saw limited success, despite the number of records which superstar Andrew Gaze, son of coach Lindsay, racked up. One season saw Andrew average 44ppg, and set a single game scoring record of 61 points, however, the team still failed to make the playoffs. Once imports Dave Colbert and Dave Simmons were recruited, the Tigers began to see greater on court success, however, when Colbert left the club to move to Brisbane, the Tiger's growth again appeared to be stunted. Andrew Gaze (born July 24, 1965 in Melbourne, Australia) is Australias best known basketball player, and possibly its best ever. ... Lindsay Gaze (born August 16, 1936 in Adelaide) is an Australian basketball player and coach. ... The Brisbane Bullets are a professional basketball team competing in Australias National Basketball League. ...

Championship Years - '92 - '97

Import Lanard Copeland teamed up with Andrew Gaze in the 1992 season, forming a decade long backcourt partnership, which many observers cite as the greatest backcourt duo in Australian basketball history. They became dubbed, 'The dynamic duo' and were noted for their signature 'alley-oop'. With this potent backcourt leading the way, the Tigers made the Finals in 1992, against the newly formed South East Melbourne Magic. Despite the Magic losing point guard Darren Perry to a torn achilles tendon in game one, they managed to rally to beat the Tigers in 3 games. Lanard Copeland (born July 26, 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a professional basketball player in the Australian National Basketball League, currently with the Adelaide 36ers. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The South East Melbourne Magic were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ...

The Tigers filled their biggest need in the off-season, by recruited one of the best big men in the country in Mark Bradtke. Teaming up with Gaze, Copeland, Simmons, and the newly recruited Robert Sibley from Brisbane, the Tigers boasted a formidable starting lineup. They defeated the arch rival Magic in the second round of the playoffs, to set up a Finals matchup with the Perth Wildcats. Having split the first two games, the Tigers faced the difficult task of the deciding game in the hostile environment of the Perth Entertainment Centre, a venue they had never won at. Mark Bradtke (born September 27, 1968 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian former professional basketball player in Australias NBL. He started his career with the Adelaide 36ers before moving to the Melbourne Tigers and then to the Brisbane Bullets. ... The Perth Wildcats are an Australian basketball team competing in the National Basketball League. ... Perth Entertainment Centre is an indoor arena located in Wellington Street in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia. ...

The Tigers controlled much of the game, but in the closing minutes had to withstand a furious comeback from Perth, led by their captain Andrew Vlahov. Andrew Gaze iced the game with a pair of critical free throws in the final seconds. The emotional toll of the championship was evident on coach Lindsay, and son Andrew after the game, as they broke down crying whilst embracing. The Perth crowd were noted in the media for a lack of sportsmanship, as they booed Andrew Gaze during the acceptance speech. Andrew Vlahov (born April 1, 1969 in Perth, Australia) is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1991 through till the 2001/2002 season. ...

The Tigers were unable to reach the Finals for another three years, where they faced cross-town rival South East Melbourne once again. In a tough three game series, the Magic once again prevailed. During the following off season, import Dave Simmons departed, and was replaced by Jarvis Lang. Having to deal with a mid-season return from Mark Bradtke from the NBA, the Tigers started the 1997 season in very poor form, with a 3-11 mark at the midpoint of the season. Lang was sacked due to concerns over tendinitis in his knees, and Marcus Timmons was brought in on a tip from former assistant coach Brett Brown. The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA, is the premier professional basketball league in North America. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

From that point, the Tigers did not lose another game until the second game of the Finals against the Magic. They equalled the now defunct Sydney Supersonics winning streak of 16 consecutive games. With Timmons teaming up with Gaze, Copeland and Bradtke, this quartet accounted for over 95% of the Tigers points production. Game one of the Finals was a whitewash against the Magic, which saw coach Brian Goorjian resort to a more slowdown offense and physical defense in Game two, to combat the Tiger's free-flowing style. The Tigers regained the ascendancy in Game 3, as they claimed their second championship in front of their home town fans. The Sydney Kings are a basketball team competing in the National Basketball League in Australia. ... Brian Goorjian (born July 28, 1953 in Glendale, California, USA) is a basketball coach for the Sydney Kings and Australian Boomers basketball team. ...

Financial Hardtimes - '98 - '02

The Tigers were unable to recapture their championship form throughout the rest of the '90's. Andrew Gaze spent part of the 1999 season with the San Antonio Spurs in the American National Basketball Association - the team won an NBA championship in 1999 - however, without Gaze's on court leadership and point production, the Tigers staggered in the latter half of the season after looking like running away with the competition at the midpoint of the season, eventually falling in the first round of the playoffs. Import Marcus Timmons requested permission to break his contract, to play in Poland after this. This was granted, however, he returned for the next season, this time with the Perth Wildcats, where he led them to the team to the championship and was named Finals MVP. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... It has been suggested that San Antonio Gunslingers (ABA) be merged into this article or section. ... The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the worlds premier mens basketball league. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The Larry Sengstock Medal is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the Grand Final series. ...

As basketball's popularity fell throughout the late '90's and into the new millennium, the Tigers experienced great financial trouble off the court. This finally came to a head in 2002, where it was revealed that they were $2.5M in debt, and in serious danger of folding. Andrew Gaze himself, did not have a salary paid to him for his final few playing years in order to ease the financial burden. He supported himself through endorsement deals.

Ownership Restructure - 'A Family Business' - '02 - '05

A new ownership consortium under Melbourne Businessman Seamus McPeake and the Gaze's, saw financial stability restored to the club for the 2002-03 season. At the same time, Melbourne's other team, the Victoria Titans (formed under a merger of the North Melbourne Giants and South East Melbourne Magic in 1999) were unable to survive and folded. The license was quickly picked up and the Victoria Giants were formed, with many former Titan players, including league legend Darryl McDonald. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Victoria Titans were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ... The North Melbourne Giants were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ... The South East Melbourne Magic were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Tigers embarked on a financial rationalisation project, the first priority of which was to stop playing games at the very high rent Vodafone Arena, and move to the smaller capacity State Netball and Hockey Centre in Royal Park. On court, with their ageing superstars Gaze, Copeland and Bradtke unable to produce at the same levels they did in the '90's, the Tigers were perennial playoff contenders, however, never finalists. The 2004 season saw the demise of the Victoria Giants. They had decided to sack Darryl McDonald at the start of the '04 campaign, and the Tigers gladly picked him up as a backup point guard to Andrew Gaze. Vodafone Arena in use on day six of the 2007 Australian Open. ... State Netball and Hockey Centre is an indoor sporting arena located in Melbourne, Australia. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The New Championship Years - '06 - '08

The conclusion of the 2004-05 season saw a changing of the guard for the Tigers. League legend Andrew Gaze retired, and Mark Bradtke accepted an offer from Brisbane, in part to be closer to his wife's (Nicole Provis - former Australian Tennis Champion) family. Lanard Copeland's dwindling production saw the Tigers decide not to renew his contract, although, he was offered an off court role with the club. Believing he still had playing years in him, he followed Mark Bradtke to Brisbane. Imports Rashard Tucker and Dave Thomas would take the lead on court roles at the club, joined by big man Chris Anstey who returned from a 3 year stint in Europe. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... Chris Anstey (Born on January 1, 1975 in Melbourne) is one of Australias premier basketball players. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ...

With D-Mac moving into the starting line-up, joined by Thomas, Tucker, Anstey and an improving Neil Mottram, the Tiger's had an extremely successful regular season, which saw them finish second to the Sydney Kings. Tigers coach Al Westover was named Coach of the Year. Centre Chris Anstey was named both the Grand Final Series' Most Valuable Player and league MVP and Stephen Hoare won Sixth Man Of the Year. 1980 Barry Barnes (Nunawading Spectres) 1981 Bob Turner (Newcastle Falcons) 1982 Cal Bruton (Geelong Cats) 1983 Robbie Cadee (Bankstown Bruins) 1984 Brian Kerle (Brisbane Bullets) 1985 Bob Turner (Canberra Cannons) 1986 Ken Cole (Adelaide 36ers) 1987 David Lindstrom (Illawarra Hawks) 1988 Bruce Palmer (North Melbourne Giants) 1989 Lindsay Gaze (Melbourne... Chris Anstey (Born on January 1, 1975 in Melbourne) is one of Australias premier basketball players. ... The Larry Sengstock Medal is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the Grand Final series. ... 1979 Ken Richardson (West Adelaide Bearcats) 1980 Rocky Smith (St. ... 1996 Mike McKay (Brisbane Bullets) 1997 Ben Pepper (Newcastle Falcons) 1998 Jason Smith (South East Melbourne Magic) 1999 Bruce Bolden (West Sydney Razorbacks) 2000 Ben Knight (Townsville Crocodiles) 2001 Chris Anstey (Victoria Titans) 2002 Jamahl Mosley (Victoria Titans) 2003 Stephen Black (Perth Wildcats) 2004 Darryl McDonald (Melbourne Tigers) 2005 Brad...

The Tigers swept the playoffs, defeating the Perth Wildcats 2-0 in the Semi Finals and the Sydney Kings 3-0 in the Finals. D-Mac's season was particularly impressive, as he outclassed many quality point guards throughout the season, including starting Australian Boomer point guard CJ Bruton in the Finals. His stellar performances were seemingly at odds with his advanced age of 42, making him the oldest player in the league. The Sydney Kings are a basketball team competing in the National Basketball League in Australia. ... Calvin Bruton Jr. ...

A new Melbourne team provided a new local rivalry in the 2006-07 season. The South Dragons, having enticed Shane Heal back from a two year retirement, showed respectable form in their first season, making the playoffs. Although they added former NBL stars such as Frank Drmic and big man Matt Burston from Perth, their youngsters such as Joe Ingles led the way. Former NBA All Star and all time NBA freethrow percentage leader Mark Price added a great measure of respectability to the organisation, as their inaugural coach however, in the midst of many early personnel changes, was fired and replaced by player-coach Shane Heal. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... The South Dragons are set to debut in Australias National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2006-07 season. ... Shane Heal (born September 6, 1971 in Victoria, Australia) is a professional and Olympics basketball player. ... Frank Drmic (born February 6, 1978 in Melbourne) is an Australian professional basketball player in the National Basketball League (NBL). ... Matthew Burston (born November 25, 1982 in Perth) is an Australian professional basketball player, currently playing for the South Dragons in the National Basketball League (NBL). ... Mark Price moves the ball during a game. ...

The Tigers roster was enhanced for the 2006-07 season. D-Mac signed a new two year contract, and former Tiger Nathan Crosswell returned from Cairns to back him up, with a promise he would eventually take over the reins. Neil Mottram exercised his European out clause to play with Italian second division team Fabriano. Despite rumours that local big man Simon Conn, or ex West Sydney Razorback Simon Dwight were in their sights to replace Mottram, the Tigers managed to secure Axel Dench's signature on August 9th 2006, just before leaving for Singapore for a pre season competition. They successfully appealed Dench's point status, allocated from when he was previously active in the NBL 2 years ago with the Hawks. The Tigers now looked extremely strong for the upcoming season, as League MVP Chris Anstey returned to the Tigers, after not receiving a call-up from the NBA after his off-season work out with the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... The Cairns Taipans are a professional basketball team competing in Australias National Basketball League. ... Fabriano is a town and comune of Ancona province in the Italian region of the Marche, at 43°20′ N 12°54′ E, at 325 m (1066 ft) above sea-level. ... The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. ...

The Tigers won the Singapore Cup, in their first games with new additions Axel Dench and Nathan Crosswell. D-Mac's son, Derrick, also played with the Tigers on the trip. He would continue to see court time with his father throughout the season as a developmental player on the Tigers roster.

However, the Tigers fell to the Brisbane Bullets in the pre-season Blitz, which perhaps proved an omen for the upcoming season. With a roster that was legitimately 10 deep, the Bullets dominated the season, on route to a NBL record 21 game win streak and defeated the Tigers 3-1 in the Finals.

This defeat perhaps indicated to the Tiger's management that despite their depth and experience, a dose of athleticism was required in the roster. They responded by signing athletic young Boomer David Barlow from Sydney on April 3, 2007.

Despite releasing back up centre Axel Dench to free up points for Boomber Brad Newley, Newley announced on April 27th that he was signing with the Adelaide 36ers. The Tigers will now look for a new import guard, after confirming that import Rashard Tucker would not rejoin the team.

Honour Roll

Source: www.nbl.com.au Andrew Gaze (born July 24, 1965 in Melbourne, Australia) is Australias best known basketball player, and possibly its best ever. ... Mark Bradtke (born September 27, 1968 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian former professional basketball player in Australias NBL. He started his career with the Adelaide 36ers before moving to the Melbourne Tigers and then to the Brisbane Bullets. ... Chris Anstey (Born on January 1, 1975 in Melbourne) is one of Australias premier basketball players. ... Lanard Copeland (born July 26, 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a professional basketball player in the Australian National Basketball League, currently with the Adelaide 36ers. ... Chris Anstey (Born on January 1, 1975 in Melbourne) is one of Australias premier basketball players. ... Lindsay Gaze (born August 16, 1936 in Adelaide) is an Australian basketball player and coach. ...

Current roster

Melbourne Tigers Current Roster
Head Coach: Al Westover				Edit
C	13		Chris Anstey - Captain	(VIC)
G	4		Daryl Corletto	(VIC)
G	20		David Barlow	(VIC)
G	21		Nathan Crosswell	(NSW)
C	12		Dave Donaldson #
F	5		Tommy Greer	(VIC;Nova Southeastern University)
F	33		Stephen Hoare	(VIC)
G	45		Gerard Leonard	(VIC)
G	44		Darryl McDonald - Captain	(New York;Texas A&M)
G	11		Derrick McDonald #	(New York)
G	15		Liam Norton #
G	14		Matt O'Hea #	(VIC)
F	9		David Stiff	(VIC;Boston University)
G/F	11		Dave Thomas*	(Ontario;Michigan State University)
* = Import, # = Development Player				Melbourne Tigers

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Chris Anstey (Born on January 1, 1975 in Melbourne) is one of Australias premier basketball players. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Daryl Corletto (born August 24, 1981 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian basketball player who has played for the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL since 2001. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a not-for-profit, independent university, founded in 1964 in Davie, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Stephen Hoare (born October 20, 1975 in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian professional basketball player currently playing in Australias National Basketball League for the Melbourne Tigers. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... NY redirects here. ... Texas A&M University at College Station Texas A&M University, often Texas A&M, A&M or TAMU for short, is one of the flagship universities of Texas, and is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... NY redirects here. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... For similarly-named academic institutions, see Boston (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... Michigan State University (MSU) is a public university in East Lansing, Michigan. ...

External links

• Melbourne Tigers website
• National Basketball League website