Franklin Bulls

Also known as the Sal's NBL Showdown

Their inaugural season in the NBL looked in doubt when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5] However the league returned in a reduced format based entirely in Auckland City at the Trusts Arena.[6][7][8]

The Bulls finished 5th in the 'regular' season with a 7–7 record before losing an elimination final to the Taranaki Mountainairs 95-107.[9][10][11]

2020 Franklins Bulls Roster was selected via draft pick for the showdown only. Once the draft was complete there was some trade options open also.[12][13] The Bulls selected Sam Timmins with their first pick.

• Adam Dunstan
• Chris McIntosh
• Connor Woodbridge
• Dominique Kelman-Poto
• Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape
• Everard Bartlett
• Isaac Davidson
• Jackson Stubbins
• Joseph Reddish
• Nicholas Barrow
• Nikau McCullough
• Samuel Timmins
• Sioeli Vaiangina

In 2021 when the season reverted back to the normal home and away season situation the Bulls finished 8th, registering 5 wins and 13 losses but didn't make the final 4.

A highlight for the season was when the loyal and vocal fans followed the bulls to NSEC to witness them beating their cross town rivals Auckland Tuatara (then named the Auckland Huskies) in great fashion 78-70. In firey match with many lead changes saw one Huskies player ejected, the Bulls came out on top and once again ran the 09.[14]

Issac Davidson lead the team in average points per game 13.4, assists 2.7 and rebounds 5.8.

[15]

• Adam Dunstan
• Anthony Jones
• Braydon Iuli
• Corey Perry
• Dane Brooks
• Denhym Brooke
• Dylan Wilkie
• Isaac Davidson
• Jaylen Gerrand
• Jett Thompson
• Joseph Nunag
• Josh Selby
• Kyrin Galloway
• Manel Ayol
• Nicholas Fee
• Te Maire Van Der Leden
• Tyrone McLennan
• Zach Easthope
• Zane Waterman

Back in the thriving metropolis of Pukekohe for a second season the Bulls added the experienced Corey Webster[16] and Leon Henry[17] to the ranks and picked up young big man Anzac Rissito[18] and guard Jayden Bezzant.[19]

Improving on their 2021 season - registering 7 wins and 11 losses, finishing 8th. They had a hot start to the season winning their first two games in good fashion.

Corey Webster lead the team in points at 25.4 and assists at 7.1 per game. Leon Henry (Team Captain) lead the team in rebounds at 10.9 per game.

Anzac Rissito, Corey Webster, Issac Davidson, Jayden Bezzant and Kane Bennett-Keil were all selected to represent the Tall Blacks at varies points during the Fiba World Cup and Asia Cup Qualifiers.[20][21]

Number listed before player name denotes jersey number[22]

• 41 Adam Dunstan
• 1 Anzac Rissetto
• 21 Christian Martin
• 9 Corey Webster
• 10 Denhym Brooke
• 3 Ethan Skelton
• 12 Isaac Davidson
• 28 Jayden Bezzant
• 4 Jett Thompson
• 5 Joshua Leger
• 23 Kael Robinson
• 7 Kane Bennett-Keil
• 15 Leon Henry
• 9 Liam Judd
• 20 Nathanial Potts
• 20 Talanoa Latu
• 11 Te Tuhi Lewis
• 8 Zach Mckenzie

In 2023, the Bulls picked up Dan Fotu of the New Zealand Breakers,[23] Americans Rickey McGill and Jamaal Brantley,[24] Dom Kelman-Poto[25] Jared Wilson-Frame (from the Canturbury Rams)[26] and Tall Blacks centre Tyrell Harrison[27] also joined the team mid-season. Finishing the regular season in 4th place with a 12–6 record (The best recorded season to date in their short history). Also making it to the finals for the first time in their history (Top 6 playoff format).

Starting with the play in game - they easily smashed the 5th placed Wellington Saints[28]124-104 (3-0 on the seasons series) before losing in the semi-finals to the Auckland Tuatara 67-92.

Dan Fotu lead the team in points per game 17.8 and rebounds 6.8. Rickey McGill lead the team in assists per game 5.5 and lead the league in average steals per game 2.6 and total 52.

Dan Fotu Also picked up the player of the round award against the Wellington Saints 100-89 win with a 31 point; 2 Assists; 6 rebounds and 2 steals performance.

Notable milestones:

• Winning the season series against the Wellington Saints[29][30]
• Going 2-0 on their first away swing
• Racking up a 5-game winning streak mid-season
• Issac Davidson was credited with playing 50 games for the Club.[31]
• The Bulls played two 'home' games at the Pulman arena in Takanini due to scheduling issues at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre.[32][33]
• The Bulls were also able to run their 'Bench mob' in a number of games, due to blowing out the opposition on many occasions, much to the home crowd's delight.

• Dan Fotu was selected in the Tall Blacks 14 man squad for the Fiba Basketball World Cup warm up trip to Japan, Europe and China.[34]
• Dom Kelman-Poto was signed to play for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL.[35]
• Issac Davidson was signed by the LoKoKo Bisons Loimaa for the upcoming 2023-24 season playing in Finland.[36]
• Rickey McGill was signed by the Newcastle Eagles for the upcoming 2023-24 UK1 League in England.[37][38][39][40]

The Bulls will be heading to Invercargill for the NZ NBL 3v3 tournment. The team has been selected from the wider Sals NBL 2023 squad that finished with the Bulls best regular season record and a semi-final berth.

• Guard and Captain - Corey Perry
• Forward - KC Nwafor
• Guard / Forward - Brody Perry
• Guard - Christian Vano

The team also features Injury replacement players - Noah Campbell and Payton Hughes.