Game Report: Hawks vs Bullets | Rd4 NBL26

The Illawarra Hawks have taken flight in their Championship defence, producing a dominant 116–89 victory over the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

After an 0–3 start, the reigning champs exploded out of the gates and never looked back — leading from start to finish and putting on a show for the Wollongong faithful.

Todd Blanchfield moved into the starting five alongside Tyler Harvey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mason Peatling, and JaVale McGee. The new-look lineup delivered immediate energy, using a 14–0 burst to race to a 34–18 quarter-time lead — capped by Harvey’s playmaking masterclass, dishing six assists in the opening term.

First Half Blitz
Illawarra kept their foot down early in the second, stretching the margin to 39–19 after a Harvey triple and a slashing finish from Jonah Bolden. When McGee converted an and-one through traffic to make it 42–21 — drawing a third foul on Bullets big man Tyrell Harrison — the Hawks crowd could sense it was going to be their night.

Even a fiery stretch midway through the period, which saw consecutive calls go against Dan Grida and a bench technical on the Hawks, couldn’t slow the momentum. Harvey dropped it off to McGee for a thunderous dunk, and Blanchfield’s smooth shooting (10 first-half points) helped push the margin to a stunning 68–47 at halftime, the highest-scoring half by any team this NBL season.

At the break:
Harvey had 11 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
McGee was commanding inside with 11 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks.
Peatling (+24 in 6 minutes) and Bolden both gave valuable frontcourt minutes.

Brisbane managed a brief run to start the third, trimming it to 70–56, but the Hawks quickly steadied behind Harvey’s floaters and a clutch Harry Froling triple. A 3rd quarter surge pushed the score to 89–71, and the home side smelled blood.

Harvey, Blanchfield, and Peatling buried consecutive triples to open the fourth, blowing the margin to 98–73 — with Harvey picking up his career-high 10th assist in the process. From there, the Hawks bench took over.

A highlight came late as development guard Johnny Narkle drained his first NBL points with a banked three, then immediately jumped a passing lane for a breakaway dunk to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Statement Made
The final score — Illawarra 116, Brisbane 89 — marked the Hawks’ first win of NBL26 and a return to the identity that made them champions: unselfish, fast, and fierce on both ends. Seven Hawks finished in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and cohesion.

Harvey (22 points, 10 assists, 5 steals) led from the front in a vintage captain’s performance, while McGee (13 points, 12 rebounds) was a force inside. Blanchfield (13), Bayles (12), Swaka Lo Buluk (12), Bolden (11) and Peatling (13) all chipped in crucial contributions.

From the Other Side
Brisbane’s Casey Prather continued his hot form with 28 points and 9 rebounds, while Lamar Patterson added 17. But the Bullets’ outside shooting woes (1/18 from deep at one stage) left them chasing shadows all night.

What’s Next
The Hawks now turn their attention to a Round 5 road trip against South East Melbourne Phoenix next Saturday, October 18.

🎟️ Get your tickets for our next home game – Friday, October 31 vs the New Zealand Breakers – through Ticketmaster.

And don’t forget to check our social media for match highlights, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage from tonight’s big win!

Illawarra Hawks Head Coach, Justin Tatum & Wani Swaka Lo Buluk speak to the media after defeating the Brisbane Bullets at WIN Entertainment Centre.

HUNGRY JACK’S NBL SEASON 2025/26 | Rd 4 (Boxscore)
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 116 (Harvey 22, Blanchfield 13, Peatling 13, McGee 13, Bayles 12, Swaka Lo Buluk 12, Bolden 11)
BRISBANE BULLETS 89 (Prather 28, Patterson 17, Adams 13, Smith-Milner 11)