One-punch victim Harry Froling goes lifts the lid on the culture driving the Illawarra Hawks title tilt

His inspirational return to basketball may have been dampened by a serious injury to brother Sam, but Harry Froling says the Hawks’ fight comes as no surprise at all, revealing it’s the clubs culture leading the NBL title charge.

The joy of Harry Froling’s return to basketball after his life threatening one-punch attack has been soured by the heartbreak of his brother’s horrific injury that is so raw he can’t even talk about it.

The Illawarra Hawks are reeling after losing star big man Sam Froling to a season-ending Achilles, despite shocking the NBL world to beat United and send the grand final series to a Game 5 in Wollongong on Sunday.

No one expected the men from the ‘Gong’ to defeat United, especially without two starters in Froling and import guard Trey Kell.

Talk to Harry, though, and Illawarra’s Game 4 boilover didn’t stun him, even when his younger brother Sam left the game injured in the second quarter.

The Hawks won game four without Sam Froling and Trey Kell. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

He recently trained with the Hawks for eight weeks in a bid to become match fit for his return to basketball via the NZNBL following lifesaving brain surgery.

The two months behind the four walls at Illawarra HQ gave Harry an invaluable insight into the culture and camaraderie driving the club’s NBL25 title tilt.

“That Game 4 victory in Melbourne was one of the biggest wins in Hawks history, but it’s not surprising to me having spent time at the club this season,” Froling told Code Sports.

“Just the way they treated me and being around the boys. I was only there for two months and I honestly felt like I’d been with the team all year.

“The boys took me out for lunch and hung out with me and the team morale and the way they are around each other.

“It (Game 4) was a spectacular win and if any team can go on and win the championship, I think it is them because they’ve dealt with some adversity and come out the other side.”

Froling says the players as a collective push Illawarra’s team-first culture.

Harry Froling has trained with the Hawks in his return to basketball. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images for NBL.

From the starters to the bench, no one is bigger than the club and it shows in how the Hawks play.

So, when Illawarra found themselves in a hole against Melbourne in Game 4, the belief to climb off the canvas was already in-built in the squad.

Froling reserved praise for Hawks forward Mason Peatling – who may not attract the big headlines – but is considered a glue-guy that every team needs.

“Mason is a huge one,” he said.

“You could see it in the game every week, even though he isn’t a player who is going out and giving you 20 points and 10 rebounds every game.

“But he just provides so much energy and it is the way they react for each other. If someone scores or has a good game, the way they are cheering each other on.”

Froling has fed off Illawarra’s strong team culture to resurrect a career that many thought was over when he suffered his one-punch attack in 2023.

The brutal attack on the streets of Wollongong in January ’23 left the former NBL rookie of the year with bleeding on the brain and a fractured skull.

Two years after being told he 'could die' and 'wouldn't play again' following a one-punch attack requiring life-saving brain surgery, @HarryFroling dropped 32 points and 12 rebounds in his return to hoops for the @TaranakiAirs. Our original story https://t.co/UgzB4Ssucj

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) March 18, 2025

Emergency surgery saved Froling’s life amid fears he “could die”, but he still faced a long road back.

He had to teach himself how to walk again and the mental battle without basketball prompted him to spiral into a dark state of depression.

Froling piled on the weight as he spent his days sitting on the couch.

Just when it looked like the big man could be lost to hoops forever, an honest spray from good mate and fellow NBL star Will Magnay inspired him to stop feeling sorry for himself and start actioning change.

Froling has spent the past 18 months training – and credits his recent stint with the Hawks for playing a crucial role in saving his career.

The former Illawarra centre made a triumphant return to basketball earlier this month with the Taranaki Airs in the NZNBL.

Froling dropped 32 points and added 13 rebounds in his first professional game in 786 days.

He told Code Sports his two-year hiatus from hoops has given him a greater appreciation for the hard work requited to succeed at the top.

You reckon Harry Froling has missed playing professional basketball? What a return!

37:08 MP | 32 PTS | 12 REB
11/20 FGM (55%)

Massive. #NZNBL#NBLpic.twitter.com/WwZlinCoT2

— Pleb (@SuperCoachPleb) March 16, 2025

“Because if I didn’t do that work I’d still be 160 kilos,” he said.

“And I’m still nowhere near the finished product don’t get me wrong.

“By the time I get back to the NBL I’m going to be another 10 to 15 kilos lighter, but seeing the results in a good NZNBL league is great to have that reassurance.

“I could have come out and just had five points and five rebounds and had some head noise, but coming out and seeing the work I’ve put in.

“If this is the starting point then sky is the limit.

“I know what the Hawks did for me was huge for me and I don’t take it lightly.”

Harry Froling bears the scars of surgery to repair his fractured skull and alleviate bleeding on the brain. Picture: Shane Froling/Twitter

Froling will be forever grateful to Illawarra for helping him in his darkest hour.

It’s why he can’t rule out playing for the Hawks if he returns to the NBL.

“It all depends on what happens, but I’d definitely be open on playing with the Hawks again,” he said.

“I love the club, I love being around my brother and the boys. That place is always going to hold a special place to me.

“If I end up back in the NBL I’d consider going back there. It is just a good, well run club with good people and the boys all care about each other.

“It’s a special place and you’d never be able to say no without looking into it.”

Froling is devastated his brother won’t suit up for Illawarra in Sunday’s deciding Grand Final game, but he expects the Hawks to rally in his absence as the “win it for Sam” campaign goes into overdrive.

Thank you to everyone who has commented, messaged and supported me the last week, and over the last two years. Hard to get back to everyone, but it doesn’t go unnoticed and I appreciate the love and support. I’m nowhere near a finished product but I’ll do you all proud ❤️

— Harry Froling (@HarryFroling) March 19, 2025

He also knows the Hawks faithful will step up with the club on the cusp of its second NBL championship.

“I think it is going to be a hostile environment, but both teams are both winless at home and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before,” he said.

“The community in Illawarra – the way they’ve got around me and the Hawks – they deserve it (a championship).

“It isn’t going to be easy. Melbourne is a great team and well-coached, but if ever there was going to be a game where they come out and win in Game 5 at home then this is it.

“It’s going to be electric inside the stadium and I’m sure the Hawks fans will lift and be that sixth man for the team.”

NBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES GAME 5:

Sunday, March 23 from 2.30pm (AEDT)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS VS MELBOURNE UNITED AT WIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, WOLLONGONG

Originally published as One-punch victim Harry Froling goes lifts the lid on the culture driving the Illawarra Hawks title tilt