Game Preview: Hawks @ Melbourne United | RD5 NBL27

Putting points on the board has not been the problem for the Illawarra Hawks. Justin Tatum’s side is averaging 99.7 points a game, second only to the Sydney Kings. It leads the league in fast break points, points in the paint and bench scoring. The number that has hurt is the other one. The Hawks are conceding 108.0 points per game, more than any team in the NBL.

So the message is clear. Tatum has put the focus squarely on the defensive end, demanding effort, energy and loud, constant communication on every possession. At this week’s Hawks in Business Lessons in Leadership Luncheon, the coach didn’t dodge the record. His priority is “turning this 1-and-6 record to 2-and-6, to 3-and-6...” He holds his players to that standard because, in his words, it “comes from a place of love and competitive nature.”

The Matchup

Sunday is the first of three regular season meetings with Melbourne United in NBL27. The Ingles and Goulding pairing visits the Gong on Sunday 20 December, and the Hawks return to John Cain Arena on Saturday 13 February.

• The ladder: The Hawks (1-6) sit 10th. United (3-3) are 6th, sitting on the play-in line.
• Something has to give: The Hawks are 0-4 on the road. United are 0-2 at home.
• Two different styles: The Hawks score 99.7 and concede 108.0. United score 93.0 and concede 89.8.
• The free throw story: Hawks opponents are making 8.1 more free throws per game than the Hawks. That accounts for almost the entire 8.3-point average margin.
• Firepower to burn: Kelan Martin leads the Hawks with 16.9 points a game and shoots 42.1 per cent from deep. Sam Froling adds 13.7 points on 62.5 per cent shooting and a team-high 7.4 rebounds. William Hickey chips in 13.0 points on 53.5 per cent from the field.

Scouting Melbourne United

Cole Anthony: the engine. Anthony leads United with 23.5 points a game and lives at the line. He averages 10.2 free throw attempts per game, which is more than half the Hawks’ entire team average of 17.1. He hits 77.0 per cent of them and adds 3.5 assists.

Josh Oduro: the physical presence. Oduro averages 17.5 points on a blistering 71.4 per cent from the field, with 7.5 rebounds (3.8 offensive). Everything he gets comes at the rim.

Joe Ingles: the craftsman. Ingles averages 10.8 points and 3.8 assists and shoots 42.9 per cent from deep. Luke Travers is another to watch, with 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

As a team, United attempt and make the fewest threes in the league. They earn the second-most free throws, and they commit the most fouls and record the fewest assists of any side.

Keys to Victory

Talk on Every Possession. Tatum wants vocal communication at the defensive end, and that means calling every screen, every switch and every rotation.

Defend With the Feet, Not the Hands. The free throw line has been a factor in the Hawks’ season so far, and United are the second-best team in the league at getting there. The Hawks commit the second-most fouls in the competition at 20.6 a game. Keeping Anthony off the stripe is priority one.

Wall Off the Paint. United make the fewest threes in the NBL and shoot 30.3 per cent from deep. Oduro does his damage at the rim. Pack the lane, put bodies on Oduro and win the glass with Froling and Makur Maker. Make United prove it from outside.

Turn Stops Into Fast Breaks. United turn it over 13.0 times a game, the second-most in the league. The Hawks lead the NBL with 17.9 fast break points per game and the league’s most productive bench. Get the stops, push the pace, and let the energy flow from one end to the other.

Game Details

Who: Illawarra Hawks at Melbourne United
When: Sunday 18 October 2026, 5:00pm AEDT
Where: John Cain Arena
Watch: Every game is live on ESPN Disney

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