The Illawarra Hawks' title defence has been dealt another brutal setback, with key player Jonah Bolden ruled out for the remainder of the NBL26 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in training.
Searching for a Replacement Proves Difficult
Head coach Justin Tatum confirmed the club is actively exploring options for an injury replacement, but admits finding a suitable player at this stage is a significant challenge. The replacement must be an Australian player, not an import, and fit the Hawks' specific system – a tall order with 13 games already played.
"That is an option, but right now we are in a position where it can't be an import, it has to be an Australian or another type of player, and that's not that easy to find," Tatum said. "We are actively still having options, but we're working with what we have in the locker room."
Internal Solutions and 'Funky' Line-ups
With the search ongoing, Tatum's immediate plan is to redistribute minutes and experiment with his existing squad. Players like Mason Peatling and Harry Froling are expected to see increased time at the power forward position vacated by Bolden.
"Harry, Luca [Yates], Mase, TB [Todd Blanchfield] and we even threw Davo [Will Hickey] in that four-spot at times," Tatum explained, outlining the flexible approach. "We're just trying some stuff out... guys have got to step their game up here and there and do what's asked of them."
The first test of this new-look line-up comes this Thursday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, where the Hawks host the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The Phoenix handed Illawarra a devastating 40-point loss in Melbourne back in October, a performance Tatum is desperate to atone for.
Achilles Curse Haunts the Hawks
Bolden's injury marks the second Achilles rupture for the Hawks this season, following a similar fate for championship-winning big man Sam Froling. Froling is reportedly on track to return early next month.
The injury hit close to home for Tatum, whose son, Boston Celtics NBA superstar Jayson Tatum, is also recovering from the same injury. "I'm pretty sick of it," Tatum admitted. "It's following me, it's festering around a little bit, hopefully it's the end of it."
He described Bolden's injury as a freak, non-contact event during a routine training drill. "It was just a normal basketball move... he went down." Tatum confirmed Bolden's surgery was successful and the player is in good spirits, with the full support of the club.
Make-or-Break Home Stretch for Title Defence
Currently holding a 4-9 record, the Hawks' season is in a precarious position. Tatum has pinpointed a crucial string of home games as the key to salvaging their finals hopes. Illawarra will play five of their seven December matches at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
"They are huge. If we want to get back in this race, we definitely have to take care of home," Tatum stated. He set a clear target, suggesting the team needs to win 13 or 14 of their remaining 20 games to have a realistic chance at postseason basketball.
The immediate focus is redemption against the Phoenix. "We owe them a better game," Tatum said. "We've definitely been practising with more intensity, determination, and we're definitely going to have a better showing tomorrow." Thursday's clash tips off at 7:30pm.
