Game Preview: Hawks vs United | RD8 NBL26

The Illawarra Hawks return home to WIN Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night for their first IGNITE Cup clash. After a week that tested their pride and resilience, the defending champs get a chance to show their home crowd what they’re made of against a Melbourne United side sitting 9–1 after Monday night’s tight loss to Sydney.

It’s a fitting matchup — United’s last visit to Wollongong came in Game 5 of last season’s Grand Final series, when the Hawks were crowned 2025 NBL champions in front of a roaring Sandpit crowd.

It’s been a rollercoaster few days for the Hawks. Following Friday’s heavy loss to New Zealand, Head Coach Justin Tatum publicly apologised to fans and members for the lack of effort — and the group responded. Two nights later in Adelaide, they fought the 36ers to the wire, falling just short 90–88 in one of their most committed performances of the season.

That response has reignited belief.

Hawks Finding Their Identity Again

The signs of progress are clear.

Will “Davo” Hickey’s near triple-double (20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks) was one of the standout individual performances of the NBL season, while JaVale McGee continued to dominate inside — averaging over 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks through the opening stretch of the campaign.

Captain Tyler Harvey remains the offensive barometer, producing timely scoring bursts, and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk has been the defensive tone-setter on the perimeter. Add in sparks from Mason Peatling and Todd Blanchfield, and the Hawks have the tools — they just need four quarters of consistency.

With the first home IGNITE Cup game on deck, the energy at The Sandpit should be electric.

Melbourne United sit alone atop the NBL ladder after an extraordinary start, having rebuilt around long-time pillars Chris Goulding and Shea Ili.

The additions of Milton Doyle, Jesse Edwards, and Tyson Walker have given Dean Vickerman’s squad a new look but the same old winning formula. Add Dash Daniels, Fabijan Krslovic, and Finn Delany, and United’s depth runs 10 deep with quality and experience.

Goulding (17.8 ppg) continues to punish defences with his shotmaking, while Edwards (8.3 rpg) and Krslovic (1.7 bpg) are a strong interior pairing that the Hawks will need to neutralise early.

Keys to the Game

For Illawarra, it starts on the defensive end. Containing Goulding and Doyle’s perimeter shooting while winning the rebounding battle through McGee, Bolden, and Peatling will be pivotal. If Harvey and Hickey can continue their offensive rhythm and the bench provides energy — expect The Sandpit to be rocking.

This one has all the makings of a statement night. The Hawks have already shown they can hang with the league’s best — now it’s about finishing the job.

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🎟️ Grab your tickets now via Ticketmaster and help turn The Sandpit into a fortress as the Hawks take flight in the IGNITE Cup!

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