The 1983 NBL season was the fifth season of the National Basketball League (NBL). The regular season began on 10 February and ended on 18 June. The finals began on 23 June with the divisional finals before concluding on 4 July with the NBL Grand Final.

Regular season

The 1983 regular season took place over 18 rounds between 10 February 1983 and 18 June 1983. Each team played 22 games, against every opponent in their own division twice and against every opponent in the other division once.

Round 1

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
10/02/1983St. Kilda Saints84–75Frankston BearsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
12/02/1983Westate Wildcats76–93Frankston BearsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
12/02/1983Hobart Devils85–40Devonport WarriorsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
12/02/1983Canberra Cannons107–86Adelaide 36ersAIS ArenaN/A
12/02/1983Newcastle Falcons113–95Illawarra HawksNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
12/02/1983West Adelaide Bearcats107–75Brisbane BulletsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
13/02/1983Nunawading Spectres114–52Devonport WarriorsBurwood StadiumN/A
13/02/1983Bankstown Bruins90–81Adelaide 36ersState Sports CentreN/A
13/02/1983Sydney SuperSonics89–71Illawarra HawksAlexandria StadiumN/A
13/02/1983Coburg Giants73–70Brisbane BulletsKen Watson StadiumN/A

Round 2

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
18/02/1983Westate Wildcats76–79Bankstown BruinsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
19/02/1983Brisbane Bullets59–57Adelaide 36ersAuchenflower StadiumN/A
19/02/1983Coburg Giants81–78Sydney SuperSonicsKen Watson StadiumN/A
19/02/1983Devonport Warriors82–83Geelong CatsDevonport StadiumN/A
19/02/1983Hobart Devils87–105Canberra CannonsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
20/02/1983Nunawading Spectres72–66Canberra CannonsBurwood StadiumN/A
20/02/1983Illawarra Hawks87–90Adelaide 36ersBeaton Park StadiumN/A
20/02/1983West Adelaide Bearcats78–71Sydney SuperSonicsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
20/02/1983Frankston Bears82–86Geelong CatsFrankston StadiumN/A
20/02/1983St. Kilda Saints79–70Bankstown BruinsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 3

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
25/02/1983Westate Wildcats104–94Hobart DevilsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
26/02/1983Devonport Warriors71–88Newcastle FalconsDevonport StadiumN/A
26/02/1983Adelaide 36ers99–103Coburg GiantsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
26/02/1983Canberra Cannons103–82West Adelaide BearcatsAIS ArenaN/A
27/02/1983St. Kilda Saints84–83Hobart DevilsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
27/02/1983Brisbane Bullets53–54Sydney SuperSonicsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
27/02/1983Frankston Bears95–92Newcastle FalconsFrankston StadiumN/A
27/02/1983Geelong Cats77–70Coburg GiantsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
27/02/1983Bankstown Bruins80–95West Adelaide BearcatsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 4

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
5/03/1983Illawarra Hawks71–91Sydney SuperSonicsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
5/03/1983Newcastle Falcons113–75Hobart DevilsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
5/03/1983Devonport Warriors71–95Brisbane BulletsDevonport StadiumN/A
5/03/1983West Adelaide Bearcats82–83Nunawading SpectresApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
5/03/1983Geelong Cats80–74Westate WildcatsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
5/03/1983Canberra Cannons111–103St. Kilda SaintsAIS ArenaN/A
6/03/1983Sydney SuperSonics84–74Hobart DevilsAlexandria StadiumN/A
6/03/1983Frankston Bears73–69Brisbane BulletsFrankston StadiumN/A
6/03/1983Coburg Giants76–77Nunawading SpectresKen Watson StadiumN/A
6/03/1983Adelaide 36ers102–91Westate WildcatsForestville StadiumN/A
6/03/1983Bankstown Bruins82–79St. Kilda SaintsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 5

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
11/03/1983Westate Wildcats85–84Illawarra HawksPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
12/03/1983Hobart Devils70–71Brisbane BulletsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
12/03/1983Newcastle Falcons89–86Frankston BearsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
12/03/1983Coburg Giants102–76Devonport WarriorsKen Watson StadiumN/A
12/03/1983Adelaide 36ers93–92Canberra CannonsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
13/03/1983Nunawading Spectres87–72Brisbane BulletsBurwood StadiumN/A
13/03/1983St. Kilda Saints99–81Illawarra HawksAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
13/03/1983Sydney SuperSonics93–83Frankston BearsAlexandria StadiumN/A
13/03/1983West Adelaide Bearcats101–53Devonport WarriorsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
13/03/1983Geelong Cats68–67Canberra CannonsCorio Leisure CentreN/A

Round 6

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
18/03/1983Westate Wildcats83–88Geelong CatsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
19/03/1983Newcastle Falcons94–98West Adelaide BearcatsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
19/03/1983Nunawading Spectres111–68Adelaide 36ersBurwood StadiumN/A
19/03/1983Devonport Warriors80–93Canberra CannonsDevonport StadiumN/A
19/03/1983Illawarra Hawks71–82Bankstown BruinsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
20/03/1983Hobart Devils85–103Adelaide 36ersKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
20/03/1983Sydney SuperSonics97–73West Adelaide BearcatsAlexandria StadiumN/A
20/03/1983St. Kilda Saints79–98Geelong CatsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
20/03/1983Frankston Bears69–89Canberra CannonsFrankston StadiumN/A
20/03/1983Brisbane Bullets70–66Bankstown BruinsAuchenflower StadiumN/A

Round 7

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
25/03/1983Bankstown Bruins70–77Sydney SuperSonicsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
26/03/1983Hobart Devils84–107St. Kilda SaintsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
26/03/1983Canberra Cannons64–88Sydney SuperSonicsAIS ArenaN/A
26/03/1983Adelaide 36ers114–95Newcastle FalconsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
26/03/1983Devonport Warriors71–88Coburg GiantsDevonport StadiumN/A
26/03/1983Illawarra Hawks109–126West Adelaide BearcatsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
27/03/1983Nunawading Spectres80–81St. Kilda SaintsBurwood StadiumN/A
27/03/1983Geelong Cats83–86Newcastle FalconsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
27/03/1983Frankston Bears72–84Coburg GiantsFrankston StadiumN/A
27/03/1983Brisbane Bullets79–81West Adelaide BearcatsAuchenflower StadiumN/A

Round 8

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
8/04/1983Adelaide 36ers95–93Nunawading SpectresApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
9/04/1983Canberra Cannons107–71Hobart DevilsAIS ArenaN/A
9/04/1983Illawarra Hawks102–100Devonport WarriorsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
9/04/1983Geelong Cats84–68Nunawading SpectresCorio Leisure CentreN/A
9/04/1983Coburg Giants115–98Westate WildcatsKen Watson StadiumN/A
9/04/1983Newcastle Falcons113–95St. Kilda SaintsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
10/04/1983Bankstown Bruins86–73Hobart DevilsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
10/04/1983Brisbane Bullets104–75Devonport WarriorsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
10/04/1983West Adelaide Bearcats115–94Westate WildcatsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
10/04/1983Sydney SuperSonics93–82St. Kilda SaintsAlexandria StadiumN/A

Round 9

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
16/04/1983Newcastle Falcons88–100Sydney SuperSonicsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
16/04/1983West Adelaide Bearcats100–91Coburg GiantsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
16/04/1983Devonport Warriors75–92Frankston BearsDevonport StadiumN/A
16/04/1983Geelong Cats95–88Adelaide 36ersCorio Leisure CentreN/A
16/04/1983Hobart Devils81–73Nunawading SpectresKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
16/04/1983Bankstown Bruins81–87Canberra CannonsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
17/04/1983Brisbane Bullets87–86Illawarra HawksAuchenflower StadiumN/A
17/04/1983St. Kilda Saints96–91Adelaide 36ersAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 10

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
22/04/1983Westate Wildcats105–87Devonport WarriorsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
23/04/1983Newcastle Falcons92–90Brisbane BulletsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
23/04/1983West Adelaide Bearcats116–102Illawarra HawksApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
23/04/1983Nunawading Spectres85–62Frankston BearsBurwood StadiumN/A
23/04/1983Canberra Cannons102–91Geelong CatsAIS ArenaN/A
24/04/1983Hobart Devils80–88Frankston BearsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
24/04/1983Sydney SuperSonics98–74Brisbane BulletsAlexandria StadiumN/A
24/04/1983Coburg Giants109–92Illawarra HawksKen Watson StadiumN/A
24/04/1983St. Kilda Saints97–86Devonport WarriorsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
24/04/1983Bankstown Bruins74–69Geelong CatsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 11

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
29/04/1983Westate Wildcats65–102Canberra CannonsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
30/04/1983Hobart Devils72–73Bankstown BruinsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
30/04/1983West Adelaide Bearcats113–99Newcastle FalconsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
30/04/1983Illawarra Hawks95–115Geelong CatsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
30/04/1983Devonport Warriors85–99Adelaide 36ersDevonport StadiumN/A
1/05/1983Nunawading Spectres93–73Bankstown BruinsBurwood StadiumN/A
1/05/1983St. Kilda Saints69–67Canberra CannonsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
1/05/1983Coburg Giants116–100Newcastle FalconsKen Watson StadiumN/A
1/05/1983Brisbane Bullets58–79Geelong CatsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
1/05/1983Frankston Bears82–83Adelaide 36ersFrankston StadiumN/A

Round 12

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
6/05/1983Westate Wildcats91–99Nunawading SpectresPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
7/05/1983Illawarra Hawks101–106Newcastle FalconsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
7/05/1983Canberra Cannons105–85Coburg GiantsAIS ArenaN/A
7/05/1983West Adelaide Bearcats98–94Frankston BearsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
7/05/1983Devonport Warriors71–86Sydney SuperSonicsDevonport StadiumN/A
8/05/1983Frankston Bears79–89Sydney SuperSonicsFrankston StadiumN/A
8/05/1983Brisbane Bullets86–95Newcastle FalconsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
8/05/1983Bankstown Bruins73–74Coburg GiantsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
8/05/1983Geelong Cats100–81West Adelaide BearcatsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
8/05/1983St. Kilda Saints84–91Nunawading SpectresAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 13

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
15/04/1983Devonport Warriors79–76Illawarra HawksDevonport StadiumN/A
14/05/1983Frankston Bears108–78Illawarra HawksFrankston StadiumN/A
14/05/1983Coburg Giants103–81Hobart DevilsKen Watson StadiumN/A
14/05/1983Newcastle Falcons89–90Nunawading SpectresNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
14/05/1983Canberra Cannons117–84Westate WildcatsAIS ArenaN/A
14/05/1983Adelaide 36ers94–93St. Kilda SaintsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
15/05/1983West Adelaide Bearcats121–62Hobart DevilsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
15/05/1983Sydney SuperSonics89–74Nunawading SpectresAlexandria StadiumN/A
15/05/1983Bankstown Bruins97–85Westate WildcatsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
15/05/1983Geelong Cats77–79St. Kilda SaintsCorio Leisure CentreN/A

Round 14

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
20/05/1983Westate Wildcats83–82Brisbane BulletsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
21/05/1983Nunawading Spectres85–81Illawarra HawksBurwood StadiumN/A
21/05/1983Newcastle Falcons97–94Devonport WarriorsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
21/05/1983Geelong Cats78–68Bankstown BruinsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
22/05/1983Hobart Devils79–89Illawarra HawksKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
22/05/1983St. Kilda Saints80–83Brisbane BulletsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
22/05/1983Sydney SuperSonics101–86Devonport WarriorsAlexandria StadiumN/A
22/05/1983Coburg Giants84–78Frankston BearsKen Watson StadiumN/A
22/05/1983Adelaide 36ers79–80Bankstown BruinsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A

Round 15

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
27/05/1983Westate Wildcats107–83Adelaide 36ersPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
28/05/1983Newcastle Falcons103–93Coburg GiantsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
28/05/1983Hobart Devils72–85Geelong CatsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
28/05/1983Illawarra Hawks87–93Canberra CannonsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
28/05/1983Frankston Bears70–81Bankstown BruinsFrankston StadiumN/A
29/05/1983Nunawading Spectres91–100Geelong CatsBurwood StadiumN/A
29/05/1983Sydney SuperSonics93–84Coburg GiantsAlexandria StadiumN/A
29/05/1983Adelaide 36ers96–93West Adelaide BearcatsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
29/05/1983Brisbane Bullets71–92Canberra CannonsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
29/05/1983Devonport Warriors58–78Bankstown BruinsDevonport StadiumN/A

Round 16

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
3/06/1983Hobart Devils96–102Westate WildcatsKingsborough Sports CentreN/A
4/06/1983Adelaide 36ers83–101Sydney SuperSonicsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
4/06/1983Canberra Cannons107–87Newcastle FalconsAIS ArenaN/A
4/06/1983Illawarra Hawks89–88Coburg GiantsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
4/06/1983Frankston Bears85–92West Adelaide BearcatsFrankston StadiumN/A
4/06/1983Nunawading Spectres103–74Westate WildcatsBurwood StadiumN/A
5/06/1983Geelong Cats101–73Sydney SuperSonicsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
5/06/1983Bankstown Bruins90–91Newcastle FalconsBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
5/06/1983Brisbane Bullets100–75Coburg GiantsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
5/06/1983Devonport Warriors106–108West Adelaide BearcatsDevonport StadiumN/A
5/06/1983St. Kilda Saints104–84Westate WildcatsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A

Round 17

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
11/06/1983Illawarra Hawks92–90Frankston BearsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
11/06/1983Geelong Cats110–74Hobart DevilsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
11/06/1983Canberra Cannons85–86Nunawading SpectresAIS ArenaN/A
11/06/1983Newcastle Falcons132–92Westate WildcatsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
11/06/1983West Adelaide Bearcats117–112St. Kilda SaintsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
12/06/1983Brisbane Bullets88–79Frankston BearsAuchenflower StadiumN/A
12/06/1983Adelaide 36ers128–96Hobart DevilsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
12/06/1983Bankstown Bruins92–83Nunawading SpectresBankstown Basketball StadiumN/A
12/06/1983Sydney SuperSonics119–89Westate WildcatsAlexandria StadiumN/A
12/06/1983Coburg Giants95–85St. Kilda SaintsKen Watson StadiumN/A

Round 18

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
18/06/1983Illawarra Hawks90–98Brisbane BulletsBeaton Park StadiumN/A
18/06/1983Sydney SuperSonics92–81Newcastle FalconsAlexandria StadiumN/A
18/06/1983Coburg Giants87–103West Adelaide BearcatsKen Watson StadiumN/A
18/06/1983Frankston Bears74–76Devonport WarriorsFrankston StadiumN/A
18/06/1983Adelaide 36ers90–106Geelong CatsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
18/06/1983Westate Wildcats87–100St. Kilda SaintsPerry Lakes Basketball StadiumN/A
18/06/1983Canberra Cannons88–72Bankstown BruinsAIS ArenaN/A
18/06/1983Nunawading Spectres126–83Hobart DevilsBurwood StadiumN/A

Ladder

Eastern Division

Pos1983 NBL season vte
TeamPldWLPCTLast 5StreakHomeAwayPFPAPP
1Sydney Supersonics2219386.36%4–1W211–08–319561710114.39%
2West Adelaide Bearcats2217577.27%4–1W410–17–421801972110.55%
3Coburg Giants12213959.09%1–4L19–24–719761920102.92%
4Newcastle Falcons12213959.09%3–2L18–35–621432076103.23%
5Brisbane Bullets22101245.45%4–1W36–54–71734176398.36%
6Frankston Bears2261627.27%0–5L63–83–81809186397.10%
7Illawarra Hawks2241818.18%3–2L13–81–101929212890.65%
8Devonport Warriors2222009.09%1–4W11–101–101674206880.95%

Western Division

Pos1983 NBL season vte
TeamPldWLPCTLast 5StreakHomeAwayPFPAPP
1Geelong Cats2218481.82%5–0W69–29–219531736112.50%
2Canberra Cannons2216672.73%4–1W19–27–420491777115.31%
3Nunawading Spectres2215768.18%3–2W19–26–519641760111.59%
4St. Kilda Saints222121054.55%2–3W18–34–719711942101.49%
5Bankstown Bruins222121054.55%3–2L16–56–517371728100.52%
6Adelaide 36ers22111150.00%2–3L17–44–72002204797.80%
7Westate Wildcats2261627.27%0–5L55–61–101929217188.85%
8Hobart Devils2222009.09%0–5L102–90–111757210283.59%

Updated to match(es) played on 18 June 1983. Source:

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

1Head-to-Head between Coburg Giants and Newcastle Falcons (1-1). Coburg Giants won For and Against (+6).

2Head-to-Head between St. Kilda Saints and Bankstown Bruins (1-1). St. Kilda Saints won For and Against (+6).

Finals

The NBL finals series in 1983 consisted of the divisional finals (which was a round-robin fixture for the top eight teams), two semifinal games, and one championship-deciding grand final.

Round Robin (East)

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
23/06/1983Coburg Giants79–80Sydney SuperSonicsKen Watson StadiumN/A
24/06/1983West Adelaide Bearcats93–86Newcastle FalconsApollo Entertainment CentreN/A
25/06/1983Newcastle Falcons87–101Coburg GiantsNewcastle Sports Entertainment CentreN/A
25/06/1983Sydney SuperSonics78–91West Adelaide BearcatsLiverpool StadiumN/A
26/06/1983Sydney SuperSonics101–94Newcastle FalconsLiverpool StadiumN/A
26/06/1983Coburg Giants105–104West Adelaide BearcatsLiverpool StadiumN/A
PosTeamPldWLPFPAPDQualification
1West Adelaide Bearcats321288269+19Qualification to Semifinals
2Coburg Giants321285271+14
3Sydney Supersonics321259264−5Eliminated
4Newcastle Falcons303267295−28

Round Robin (West)

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
24/06/1983St. Kilda Saints94–95Geelong CatsAlbert Park Basketball StadiumN/A
24/06/1983Canberra Cannons89–81Nunawading SpectresAIS ArenaN/A
25/06/1983Geelong Cats81–86Canberra CannonsCorio Leisure CentreN/A
25/06/1983Nunawading Spectres109–75St. Kilda SaintsBurwood StadiumN/A
26/06/1983Nunawading Spectres107–74Geelong CatsKilsyth StadiumN/A
26/06/1983Canberra Cannons104–85St. Kilda SaintsKilsyth StadiumN/A
PosTeamPldWLPFPAPDQualification
1Canberra Cannons330279247+32Qualification to Semifinals
2Nunawading Spectres321297238+59
3Geelong Cats312250287−37Eliminated
4St. Kilda Saints303254308−54

Round Robin results

Each of the top eight teams played in a three-game round robin fixture between 23 June and 26 June. The result were as follows:

Results

TeamRecordPoints differentialSemi-finals seed
Canberra Cannons3–0+32#1
Nunawading Spectres2–1+59#2
West Adelaide Bearcats2–1+19#3
Coburg Giants2–1+14#4
Sydney Supersonics2–1-5Eliminated
Geelong Cats1–2-37Eliminated
Newcastle Falcons0–3-28Eliminated
St. Kilda Saints0–3-54Eliminated

Playoff bracket

SemifinalsGrand Final
1Canberra Cannons80
4Coburg Giants75
1Canberra Cannons75
2West Adelaide Bearcats73
2Nunawading Spectres77
3West Adelaide Bearcats84

Semifinals

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
1/07/1983Nunawading Spectres77–84West Adelaide BearcatsBurwood StadiumN/A
1/07/1983Canberra Cannons80–75Coburg GiantsKilsyth Stadium StadiumN/A

Grand Final

DateHomeScoreAwayVenueCrowdBox Score
4/07/1983Canberra Cannons75–73West Adelaide BearcatsKilsyth StadiumN/A

Awards

Statistics leaders

CategoryPlayerTeamStat
PointsMike JonesIllawarra Hawks679 pts / 22 games
Rebounds per gameGeorge MorrowNewcastle Falcons15.6 rpg / 25 games
StealsPhil SmythCanberra Cannons67 / 22 games
BlocksJames CrawfordGeelong Cats69 / 22 games
Field goal percentageMike SlusherSt Kilda Saints64.8% (96/148)
Free throw percentageMichael JohnsonNewcastle Falcons91.8% (34/37)

Regular season