Local Legends
After more than three decades on the court, long-time Frankston Basketball domestic players John O’Kelly and Dave Orchard have officially hung up their jerseys, marking the end of an incredible era.
By day, John works in the buying department at Ritchies Supermarkets, a career he started as a teenager working after school. Dave, on the other hand, is self-employed in finance, spending most of his time on the road across Melbourne.
From schoolmates to competitors, grand final triumphs, and even sharing the court with their own children, their journey is one of the most outstanding at the FDBA.
Where It All Began…
Dave’s journey with Frankston Basketball began in 1987, when he was in Year 11.
John was already playing in a different team at the time, but the two, who attended Karingal Heights together, eventually merged their squads about a decade later. That was the beginning of what would become an enduring partnership under the team name Rogue Elephants — a name that has stuck for the last ten years.
John recalls his first-ever game at Ballam Park Tech, a humbling experience where his team, known then as the All Blacks, suffered a heavy defeat. “No doubt a sign of things to come,” John said.
Despite the rough start, he stuck with it – “At that stage, we were from different sporting backgrounds and thought basketball might be easy — how wrong we were,” he said.
John O'Kelly in his last domestic game at FDBA. 
Dave Orchard in his last domestic game at FDBA.
Over the years, John and Dave kept the team going, always managing to stay competitive despite the high turnover of players, reaching multiple grand finals and managing to win some along the way. Dave estimates their record includes three A Grade grand final wins, two A Grade runner-ups, and several B and C Grade championships throughout the years.
Their toughest opposition? Both agreed that Neun Nyunts was the team to beat in A Grade, with John also mentioning Feanos as a strong rival.
“They (Neun Nyunts) gave us a good run,” Dave said.
“We had one grand final where they absolutely came out to play and belted us, but we got them back the year after, so that was good,” he said.
The Next Generation…
For Dave, the highlight of his career wasn’t just the championships—it was the opportunity to share the court with his three sons.
“I probably would have retired 10 years ago, but I held on so I could play with them,” he said.
“First my eldest son joined, then my second, and finally my youngest. At one point, we were all playing together, which was incredible,” Dave said.
One of his most treasured moments came when he and his sons won an A Grade grand final, with his son Jack earning Grand Final MVP.
Back In The Day…
Frankston Basketball has changed significantly since John and Dave began their playing days. When Dave started playing, the stadium had just two courts (now Courts 5 & 6), and it was tough to even get into a team. “Back then, games ran from 6:00pm until 11:15pm,” he recalled.
John has noticed how much more skilled and fast-paced the competition has become.
“At the start, most teams just turned up on game day. Now, teams train, shoot, and practice dribbling regularly,” John said.
Some Things You Don’t Forget…
With 30+ years of basketball comes plenty of memories, and not all of them are on the scoreboard. Dave recalls one particularly chaotic moment, when a teammate suffered a broken and dislocated ankle and lay on the court unable to move. Instead of allowing the refs to stop play, John dragged him off the court mid-game so they could continue playing.
“It was terrible to see that, and I know John has been filled with guilt ever since,” Dave said.
“Another highlight was John – he hasn’t played as much this season but he managed to get the last two points right on the final siren last night which was nice to see.”
For John, beyond the wins and losses, the best memories are simply the weekly battles on the court, followed by the post-game chats in the car park with his teammates.
“Not sure how many funny or memorable moments we had, but the last 40 years have gone by too quickly and I have enjoyed most of them. Probably should have retired a few years ago, but I have no regrets,” John said.
The End of an Era
Dave and John played their final game last Tuesday – both of them admitting they’ll miss the social aspect the most.
“Spending a couple of hours with a good bunch of blokes, having fun while staying competitive—that’s what I’ll miss,” John said.
While neither plan to step back onto the court, Dave hinted that he might return if his sons’ kids take up the game.
“My sons all played through Frankston domestic and Frankston Blues, so if they keep the pathway going, I’ll be back—just not as a player,” he said. He’s also looking forward to checking out the new stadium, which he believes is “long overdue.”
If there is such a thing as a ‘legacy’ in domestic basketball, you’d be hard pressed to find a better legacy left that the one John and Dave have imprinted on the association.
As they finish up their time at Frankston Basketball, they leave behind a long stretch of commitment that’s likely to have set a few unofficial records along the way.
Their story shows how local basketball can mean much more than the game itself. It’s as simple as mateship, some weekly fitness and about sticking with something for the long haul.
Thank you, John and Dave, for your dedication to Frankston Basketball. Enjoy retirement—you’ve earned it!