How the NRL’s Dragons have inspired the Illawarra Hawks’ NBL championship bid
The relationship between Illawarra sporting neighbours, the Hawks and Dragons is closer than you’d think. Now CODE SPORTS reveals how the NRL team have primed the NBL side for success.
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Lessons from Wollongong sporting neighbours – the NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons – has the high-flying Illawarra Hawks primed for NBL championship success.
Basketball is a vastly different sport to rugby league, but the Hawks have found mutual a friend in the Dragons as they look to end a 24-year title drought.
The two clubs – whose training bases within the WIN Sports and Entertainment precinct are separated by just metres – have built a relationship.
The Hawks trained at the Dragons gym at WIN Stadium during February’s FIBA break. The coaches – Justin Tatum and Shane Flanagan – have also forged a friendship as fellow professional mentors.
Emerging St George Illawarra prop Toby Couchman revealed Tatum delivered an inspirational speech to the Dragons playing group during the NRL pre-season.
“Justin talked to us about teamwork, his life story, some things he’s done to connect the Hawks team, which I suppose applies to us as well, we only got a new coach (Shane Flanagan) last year as well, so it was good,” Couchman said.
“He spoke to us about what makes a good teammate, things like that.
“It’s massive (for the Hawks to come this far), since they got Tatum as a coach it really turned around for them after a couple of tough years so it’s good to see them hopefully make the finals.
“I’ve been to a few Hawks games over the years, it’s always a good atmosphere at the Entertainment Centre, it’s a good atmosphere when they win and hopefully they win in the decider.”
St George Illawarra players – including hoops-loving off-season recruit Clint Gutherson – have been regularly spotted sitting courtside at Illawarra’s NBL games.
American-born Hawks sharpshooter Tyler Harvey wasn’t raised with the NRL, but appreciates having the Dragons in his team’s corner.
“We know the Dragons are right there and it’s very cool,” Harvey said.
“We’ve trained at their facility a couple of times and we (can talk to them for tips).”
The Hawks and Dragons have more in common than just sharing the same club colours and Wollongong as a home base.
Both teams have been starved of grand final success, but through hard work are on the upwards trajectory.
The Dragons last lifted the NRL trophy 15 years ago, while it has been over two decades since the Hawks stood at the NBL’s summit.
It’s led to the franchises being disregarded and doubted as genuine contenders in their respective sports.
This season, though, the Hawks have largely silenced the critics after finishing on top of the ladder for the first time in the club’s 46-year history.
Illawarra – who many experts believe are the favourites to claim the championship – are just one win away from a grand final series.
The Hawks face a must-win semi-final against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday night to keep their season alive.
Illawarra head into the clash full of confidence after beating the Phoenix on their home court in Game 1.
Harvey expects the Hawks to hit back to book their place in the NBL’s grand final series.
“We’re glad we’ve got home court advantage to give ourselves an opportunity to redeem ourselves,” he said.
“I think we’ve done a great job this season of adapting to whatever situation we are in and no one here has lost confidence in our ability as a team.”
NBL SEMI-FINAL:
GAME 3: (decider) - Wednesday, March 5
Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne Phoenix at WIN Entertainment Centre from 7.30pm (AEDT)
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Originally published as How the NRL’s Dragons have inspired the Illawarra Hawks’ NBL championship bid
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