When Harry met Sam - the new Hawks brotherhood

It was a midweek matchup between the Illawarra Hawks and Brisbane Bullets at the WIN Entertainment Centre halfway through the 2020/21 NBL season when the Froling boys - Sam and Harry - got tangled up underneath the home sides basket.

A cheeky bump from Sam was followed by a sneaky hair pull from Harry, and if both boys shut their eyes momentarily, they could have been back in the middle of any suburban court in Townsville where they grew up - jostling and grinding for that loose ball as youngsters on their road to the NBL.

It was a fun and memorable moment in what was an interesting year for the Froling's.

Sam averaged 11.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in a breakout sophomore season. His efforts in the Illawarra earning him the league's Most Improved Player award as the Hawks surged into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

North of the border, the Bullets fell short of post-season action, with Harry flashing glimpses of his potential in almost every game. Offensive explosions were sometimes followed by extended minutes out of the action, but his talent and natural ability remained unquestioned.

Harry averaged 8 points, 4.9 rebound and 1.4 assists in a tick over 17 minutes of playing time per contest, but at times it seemed like he was capable of much more. And more importantly, wanting more as well.

Which lead him to Wollongong.

"I think the biggest factor for me at this point in my career is playing under a coach like Goorj [Brian Goorjian], I have goals in my life and if I want to make it as a basketball player I need to do it at this level and I think there's no bettter person to do that under than Goorj," Harry Froling said.

"Just seeing what he's done with Sam's game and seeing the relationship he has with him and Dad [Goorjian coached the boys father Shane at the Eastside Melbourne Spectres] and stuff. I just think it's a good environment for me and hopefully I can get the most out of it. That's the biggest thing, playing under the goat, the greatest coach in Australia of all time," Harry Froling said.

Harry (23) joins the Hawks this season on a one-year deal which will see him suit up with Sam (21) on an NBL court for the first ever time. The pair forming one of the more formidable front courts in the league, joining forces with returning skipper AJ Ogilvy and new recruit Duop Reath in Hawks colours.

"It's exciting, obviously we [Sam and I] sort of talked about it for the last few years and before I went to Brisbane [Bullets] we talked about playing together as well. It's a pretty special thing to be able to do it, I'm excited to come and play for the Hawks and it's always fun playing in Wollongong," Harry Froling said.

And it's not just the on court action that has Harry salivating, with the elder Froling boy also looking forward to the underwater world the Gong has to offer.

"Wollongong has always been one of my favourite road trip places purely because I love the beach and I love fishing, spear fishing and all that sort of stuff. Hopefully I can do a bit of that down there and hopefully get Sam into that a bit, hopefully just explore and have a good time," Harry Froling said.

"I was always the one nagging mum to take us out fishing. When I was younger Dad had a bunch of old spear fishing gear, he must have bought it when he was younger and never used it so I used to throw it on and ever since I was 13 I have been in love with it. I've got my own boat license now and have definitely got way more into it," Harry he added.

And although the feeling is probably mutual on the basketball court, Sam isn't quite as keen on the extra curricular activities in the ocean as he once was.

"I hate going out fishing with Harry now. I remember when we used to go swimming as kids and stuff Harry would come back with nothing so I'd feel alright about myself but now he catches everything and I come back empty handed, I feel like a bit of an idiot just swimming around with a spear gun and no fish," Sam Froling joked.

"I checked every hole in this rock once and couldn't see a thing and then a few minutes later Harry had a look and brought out the biggest crayfish I've ever seen. It's certainly a skill I've never mastered but hopefully Harry can teach me now he's down in the Gong," Sam Froling said.

But for every trick Harry has in the water, Sam and coach Brian Goorjian may have a tip or two on the hardwood. And that's what Harry is looking forward to most.

"I think it's just a special thing. Obviously it'll be fun to play with Sam. I take pride in his success and I'm sure he takes pride in my success and we're proud of each other with that type of stuff. Now we're both on the same team I don't have to deal with his smack talk and we're both pushing towards the same goal so hopefully we can help get the best out of one another and I think that's the most exciting part, sharing that success together," Harry Froling said.

And as for playing in the front of the passionate Hawks fans at the WIN Entertainment Centre, Harry seemed to be fond of one recent memory in particular.

"I think I had my one dunk of the year on Sam there last season," he laughed.

A highlight reel play Sam doesn't seem to recollect, but was happy to let Harry think he had one over him.

"He couldn't dunk a biscuit in a cup of tea. But jokes aside I'm super excited about having him here as well, I think it'll be a heap of fun. I'm sure all the Hawkheads are super excited to see us playing together and I'm not sure Wollongong is ready for the Froling duo but they better get ready," Sam Froling said.