Game Preview: Hawks @ Wildcats | Rd6 NBL26

The Illawarra Hawks head west for a Saturday night rematch against the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena, kicking off a brutal month-long stretch that includes eight games — with road trips to Perth, Adelaide (twice), and Cairns.

Coming off a heavy defeat in Melbourne, the 1–4 Hawks are hungry to get their season back on track. But they’ll face a Perth outfit buzzing with confidence after a 110–78 demolition of Cairns on Wednesday night, a win that lifted the Wildcats to 4–3 and into the NBL top four.

Key Matchup: McGee vs Lual-Acuil Jr (Round 2)

The big-man matchup remains must-see viewing. JaVale McGee — 3rd in the NBL in scoring (22.4 PPG), 1st in rebounds (10.6 RPG) and 1st in blocks (2.8 BPG) — has been the shining light for Illawarra all season. The 37-year-old dropped 26 points and 14 rebounds the last time these sides met in Round 3, and he’ll need to be just as impactful to give the Hawks a shot at upsetting Perth on their home floor.

Harvey Steady at the Helm

Tyler Harvey (19.2 PPG, 6.0 APG) remains a steady offensive force and sits 8th in the NBL for assists. The captain’s combination of floaters, step-backs and playmaking will be vital, especially as the Hawks try to limit turnovers and keep Perth from getting out in transition.

What to Watch

• The Best from the West: Rising talent Johny Narkle steps up to the Hawks' main roster, replacing Jonah Antonio 
• Three-point shooting: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Mason Peatling are both shooting a blistering 42.9% from beyond the arc, providing valuable floor spacing alongside JaVale McGee’s interior dominance. But the Hawks will be looking to established snipers Tyler Harvey and Todd Blanchfield to rediscover their rhythm from deep — with both capable of turning the tide when they catch fire.
• Bench impact: Expect key minutes again from Biwali Bayles, Jonah Bolden, Dan Grida and Harry Froling as Coach Justin Tatum manages rotations through this upcoming gauntlet of games.
• Momentum opportunity: A win on Saturday would be a perfect launchpad for a season-defining run.

HUNGRY JACK’S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – Round 6

PERTH WILDCATS (4–3) vs ILLAWARRA HAWKS (1–4)

📍 RAC Arena, Perth

🕗 Saturday, October 25 | 8:00pm AEDT

📺 Live on Disney/ESPN and Kayo

🦅 Next Home Game

🗓️ Friday, October 31 vs New Zealand Breakers

📍 WIN Entertainment Centre

🎟️ Grab your tickets now via Ticketmaster — let’s pack The Sandpit!

📲 Don’t forget to follow our socials for highlights, interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Let’s go Hawks — time to bounce back. 🟥⬛🦅