Game Preview: Hawks vs JackJumpers | RD15 NBL26

Championship Pedigree and Milestone Magic on New Year’s Eve

The Illawarra Hawks are set to close out 2025 with a high-stakes New Year’s Eve showdown at the WIN Entertainment Centre. It’s a battle of the recent heavyweights as the NBL25 Champion Hawks host the NBL24 Champion Tasmania JackJumpers.

Both clubs have felt the weight of a title defense; the JackJumpers missed the playoffs entirely during their defense last season with a 13-16 record.

Currently sitting at 6-13, the Hawks are determined to avoid that same fate. With games in hand and sitting just one loss behind the 6th-placed JackJumpers (10-12), a win on NYE is the first step in a massive mountain climb back into the playoff picture.

A Night of Milestones

The atmosphere will be electric as we celebrate:

• Wani Swaka Lo Buluk’s 200th NBL Game: A certified winner and 4-time NBL Champion (with stints at Perth and Sydney), Wani reaches a massive career milestone tonight. He has been in scorching form lately, stepping up offensively with 19 and 15 points in his last two outings while maintaining his reputation as the league's premier lockdown defender.
• Davo Hickey’s 100th Hawks Game: The "unofficial 2025 Grand Final MVP" becomes just the 32nd player in franchise history to pull on the Hawks jersey 100 times.
  

Sam Froling’s Home Debut

After making a "Christmas miracle" return on the road in Sydney—where he posted a clinical 13-point, 12-rebound double-double in just 24 minutes—the Co-Captain finally returns to the Sandpit floor.

Froling spent 281 days on the sidelines since his Achilles injury in Game 4 of the NBL25 Grand Final Series, but his performance last week proved he hasn't missed a beat. His return to the home floor completes the Hawks' wall alongside JaVale McGee, giving Illawarra the league's most imposing front-court for the run home.

The Statistical Battle

JaVale McGee continues to be the dominant force of NBL26, officially leading the league in Rebounds (10.3 RPG) and Blocks (1.9 BPG). While Sam Froling’s return (12.0 RPG) provided a massive boost, he hasn't yet played enough games to qualify for the leaderboards.

They’ll have their work cut out for them against a disciplined Tasmania outfit. Josh Bannon is a warrior on the boards, ranking Top 5 in the league with 9.7 RPG, while Will Magnay remains a premier rim protector, sitting 3rd in the league with 1.7 blocks per game. The JackJumpers also rely heavily on the offensive spark of Bryce Hamilton (15.8 PPG) and the playmaking of Tyger Campbell (5.1 APG), who steered them to victory in our season opener back in September.

NBL Ignite Cup: Quarters Count

Tonight’s game also carries extra weight as an NBL Ignite Cup fixture—the league's inaugural mid-season mini-tournament. While the Hawks are mathematically out of contention for the February final, the "Jackies" are still very much in the hunt.

In the Ignite Cup format, teams earn 3 points for a win and 1 point for every quarter they win. Currently sitting 4th on the tournament ladder with 12.5 points, Tasmania can significantly climb the standings if they manage to win all four quarters tonight as they chase the top-two New Zealand and Adelaide.

Dangerous Travelers

Don't let the ladder fool you; the JackJumpers arrive in Wollongong with momentum after a gritty 87-84 win over the second-placed South East Melbourne Phoenix on Monday night. While they have struggled at home this season, Tasmania has been a different beast on the road, boasting an impressive 7-4 away record. They are battle-hardened and proven travelers who will be looking to repeat their early-season success in our house.

Farewell 2025 at the Harbour

After the final buzzer, the party moves across the road! Join the Wollongong community to welcome 2026 at the Harbour:

• Iconic 9pm Fireworks: The best view in the city.
• Family Fun: Music, food trucks, and the Wollongong Summer Carnival at Lang Park with rides for all ages.
• Community Note: This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free zone.
  

Game Details: ‍

• ‍Opponent: Tasmania JackJumpers ‍
• Date: Wednesday, Dec 31 ‍
• Time: 5:30 PM ‍
• Location: WIN Entertainment Centre
• 🎟️ Be there for the milestones and the mission! Get your tickets now via Ticketmaster!

Be sure to check our social media channels for more game highlights and photos!

You can learn more about the incredible dedication required for such a high-stakes comeback by watching The Return of the Captain: Sam Froling's Road to Redemption. This video is relevant as it provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Sam Froling's preparation for his NBL26 return.