The Illawarra Hawks have kicked off the new year in emphatic fashion, exorcising their demons with a commanding 96-78 victory over the Cairns Taipans at Wollongong Entertainment Centre on January 3, 2026. The win marked a significant psychological hurdle cleared for the reigning champions, who had previously struggled against their northern rivals.
Overcoming the Nemesis
Just days before the clash, Hawks head coach Justin Tatum had labelled Cairns as his team's "kryptonite." The assessment was based on recent history, including a 93-76 loss to an undermanned Taipans side in their last visit to the WEC. Cairns had also won their last three games in Wollongong and dominated key stats like rebounds and three-point shooting in previous encounters.
"We were determined not to let them get in a groove," Tatum said post-game. "We're determined not to let them come in and spoil our hopes and dreams... and to find a way back into the top six." The victory, the Hawks' second straight at home, provided a major confidence boost that the form which delivered the NBL25 championship was returning.
How the Game Unfolded
The Hawks set the tone early, with JaVale McGee opening the scoring with a slam dunk. They raced to a 6-0 lead before the Taipans found their footing. Despite a strong second quarter from Cairns' Sam Waardenburg and Jack McVeigh, which saw the visitors briefly take the lead, Illawarra regrouped at halftime trailing only 49-45.
The third quarter was a turning point. Tatum made a crucial defensive adjustment, challenging Wani Swaka Lo Buluk to shut down the hot-shooting McVeigh. The move worked, and combined with renewed energy from guard Tyler Harvey, the Hawks reclaimed control. They entered the final break with an eight-point advantage, led by McGee (16 points), Harvey (15), and co-captain Sam Froling (15).
Fourth Quarter Blitz Seals the Deal
The Hawks saved their best for last, unleashing a devastating 13-0 run in the final period to put the game beyond doubt. Bench sparkplug Dan Grida was instrumental, adding five points and two steals in a repeat of his career-high performance against Cairns earlier in the season.
"Everywhere he goes, he's a fan favourite," Froling said of Grida. "He works so hard... He's also just gotten better. Decision-making was an area he struggled with at the start, but he's been unbelievable for us this season." The win was sealed when deep reserves Jackson Ball, Luca Yates, and Johny Narkle checked in for the final minutes, highlighting a complete team performance.
The victory improved the Hawks' remarkable record to 13 consecutive wins when holding opponents under 80 points. For Coach Tatum and the Illawarra faithful, the performance was a welcome return to the championship-calibre basketball witnessed on the same floor nine months prior.
