Illawarra Hawks icon Glen Saville has laid bare the intense pressure and stress engulfing the club as their NBL championship defence hangs by a thread. The legendary figure, who played a record 545 games for the Hawks, provided a stark insider's view of the challenges threatening to derail their season.
A Season on the Brink
The Hawks' campaign to defend their historic 2024 NBL championship is in serious jeopardy. With just three games remaining in the regular season, their record stands at a precarious 11 wins and 16 losses. This leaves them clinging to eighth spot on the ladder, a single game ahead of the chasing Brisbane Bullets.
Their situation became even more dire after a crushing 106-79 defeat to the Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart last Friday night. The loss was a significant blow, highlighting the team's current struggles to find consistency and the winning form that defined their fairytale run last year.
Saville's Candid Assessment
Speaking frankly, Saville did not mince words about the atmosphere within the club. He identified the weight of expectation as a major factor, suggesting the team is playing not to lose rather than with the freedom to win.
"There's a lot of pressure and stress on the group at the moment," Saville stated. "They're the defending champs, everyone wants to beat them... I just think they're playing a little bit tight."
He pointed to the team's fluctuating performances, noting they can look like world-beaters one night and a shadow of themselves the next. Saville emphasised that the talent within the squad, including stars like Gary Clark, Justin Robinson, and Sam Froling, is undeniable. The issue, he believes, is mental.
The Final Push for Finals
The path to the playoffs is now razor-thin. The Hawks' final three games are all against top-four opponents, starting with a daunting road trip to face the second-placed Melbourne United this Thursday, April 3rd. They then return to Wollongong to host the Perth Wildcats on Sunday, April 6th, before finishing the season against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Saville believes the team must rediscover their identity and play with the aggressive, defensively-minded style that propelled them to the title. The coming week is critical, not just for results, but for the group's mentality.
"They've got to find a way to get back to playing Hawks basketball," he urged. The legend's message is clear: the time for the defending champions to stand up is now, or their title defence will end not with a bang, but a whimper.
