262 days removed from their 2024–25 NBL championship, the Illawarra Hawks are still battling a title hangover – and a repeat now feels increasingly unlikely.
Sitting eighth on the NBL ladder with just five wins from 15 games, the reigning champions look a shadow of the hard-nosed, high-energy group that stormed to the title last season. Head coach Justin Tatum is still searching for answers, but the question remains: can this new-look roster rediscover the hunger that defined their championship run?
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With the help of NBL experts Peter Hooley and Brad Rosen, we look back at Illawarra’s turbulent past 12 months – and the reasons behind their slide.
Fresh off their five-game Grand Final triumph over Melbourne, the Hawks moved quickly to lock in key contributors. Dan Grida, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield and star big Sam Froling – who has been injured this season – all re-signed in April, laying the early foundation for a potential back-to-back push.
But as the off-season unfolded, it became clear the title-winning core wouldn’t remain intact. Illawarra were forced into a major roster overhaul as several crucial players departed:
Lachlan Olbrich — drafted 55th by Chicago in the 2025 NBA Draft
Darius Days — signed with San-en NeoPhoenix (Japan B.League)
Hyunjung Lee — signed with Nagasaki Velca (Japan B.League)
Trey Kell III — signed with Toyama Grouses (Japan B.League)
Kell’s departure, especially, stunned fans, who widely expected him to re-sign. It came as another blow alongside Sam Froling being ruled out for the season.
Suddenly, Illawarra’s identity was gone – something Brad Rosen made clear.
“No Sam Froling and no Lachlan Olbrich. I mean, it’s just too much. You just can’t take out that much and expect everything to run smoothly,” Rosen said.
By July, the rebuild was underway. The Hawks added Harry Froling, Jackson Ball and Johny Narkle, before making their biggest splash on August 1: three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee, signing on a one-year deal that reignited belief in a possible repeat.
But eyebrows were raised when Illawarra signed JaQuori McLaughlin – a capable but unheralded guard coming off a stint in Indonesia under coach Tatum. Many questioned whether he could replace Kell.
To round out the roster, the Hawks brought in Biwali Bayles and Jonah Bolden. Talented additions, but hardly enough to convince sceptics.
Eleven rounds in, that early optimism has evaporated.
Illawarra sit near the bottom of the ladder, drawing uncomfortable comparisons to their NBL23 campaign, where they finished 10th with only three wins.
McLaughlin lasted just three games, averaging 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4 assists on 20.7% shooting before being released.
His replacement, Q.J. Peterson, has been a bright spot – including a blistering 42-point explosion against South East Melbourne – but even his scoring punch hasn’t solved the Hawks’ chemistry problems.
Injuries have only compounded Illawarra’s problems, disrupting cohesion and momentum – particularly with their star guard sidelined.
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Finals hero Will “Davo” Hickey missed the start of the season with an eye injury, forcing veteran sharpshooter Tyler Harvey to shoulder an outsized load, while Jonah Bolden was recently ruled out for the year with an Achilles injury, adding yet another layer to their woes.
Peter Hooley believes Illawarra’s struggles stem from a lack of continuity.
“Losing Hickey for such a big portion of the pre-season and first few rounds, while not having a sufficient replacement, got them off to a bad start,” Hooley said.
“At practice, Justin Tatum would often say the bench beat the starters. That bench had Hickey, Olbrich, Days and Lee. Their bench production was crucial, and they didn’t have that to begin this season.”
The numbers paint a harsh picture. Last season, Illawarra averaged 101.4 points per game, the best mark in the league. This year, they’re at just 89.6.
At home – once a fortress – they’re 1–6, with attendance dipping below 4,000 in a 5,673-seat arena in their last three home games. A reflection of frustration from the fans.
Following their latest defeat – a 93–76 loss to an undermanned Cairns – Justin Tatum didn’t mince words.
“We did not come out with the fire I expected,” Tatum said.
“The guys have to find a way to do better, execute and bring more energy.”
“The word is out that Illawarra does not box out. I had a front row seat to it today.”
That lack of energy is a key concern, according to Rosen.
“Their energy is nowhere near the level of a Justin Tatum team. The energy is just nowhere near that,” Rosen said.
“If you don’t play with that energy, you’re not going to get stops. And if you’re pulling the ball out of the net every single time, you’re not making the playoffs.
“Come with energy, come with a cricket bat, because we’re going to crack everyone that stands in front of us. I don’t care if you’re Adelaide, Melbourne – whoever.”
Rosen pointed to advice legendary coach Brian Goorjian once gave him – something the Hawks may need to adopt.
“One thing Brian Goorjian said to me is, ‘Mate, never talk about a championship. You put it in your back pocket and say that was a fabulous season – but we start again.’ I always remember that,” Rosen said.
A recurring question among experts is whether Hickey should return to a bench role to reignite the second unit – a role where he excelled last season.
Hooley believes the Hickey situation reflects a broader identity crisis.
“Hickey is now their floor general and leader. Last year, he was the bench spark that lifted everyone when he checked in,” Hooley said.
“They don’t know what their identity is this year through 11 rounds.”
Rosen echoed the sentiment, highlighting Illawarra’s three biggest issues.
“They’re turning the ball over, they’re giving up a huge amount of offensive rebounds, and the biggest thing for me is they’re just not playing with the same energy they had last year,” he said.
“That was Tatum’s key to success. It didn’t matter who he put on the floor – they were going 100 miles an hour, and in a good way. They went hard at everything.”
Can the Hawks fix their mid-season problems and emerge as a dark horse as the year winds down? With just 15 games played and, remarkably, still within striking distance of the top six, there’s no reason they can’t overcome their issues and remind the league – and their fans – why they are the reigning champions.
With only one game in Round 12, against a struggling Brisbane Bullets side, the Hawks have a perfect opportunity to get back on track in front of their loyal supporters.
Yes, the problems are real – but don’t write off the champions just yet. History shows that when their backs are against the wall, Illawarra often responds with their best basketball.
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