Peatling Embraces Underdog Status

Photo: Hawks Media

For the entirety of Mason Peatling’s career, he’s entered a new NBL season with a team heavily favoured to win the title. In NBL24 though, that might not be the case.

The former Melbourne forward has headed north to Wollongong, and is part of a new roster tasked with pulling the side out of the doldrums of last season.

He’s one of a handful of new faces at the Illawarra Hawks for the upcoming season – alongside the likes of young stars AJ Johnson and Lachie Olbrich – who will join co-captain pair Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling tasked with helping return the club to the post-season.

“I can embrace the fact the Illawarra Hawks definitely go in as an underdog every year. They’re not going in as a championship favourite,” Peatling told The Illawarra Mercury.

“That’s no different to the history I’ve had in basketball. I’ve never been a highly recruited guy, every opportunity I’ve had in basketball I’ve had to do it that long way.

“I think I can embody a bit of that underdog mentality and bring a lot to this group.”

The opening game of Illawarra’s NBL24 campaign is set to come against reigning champions and local rivals Sydney on Saturday, September 30.

For the full story head to >> Blue-collar ethos a natural fit for Illawarra Hawks recruit Mason Peatling