Preview: Illawarra vs Brisbane - Round 18, NBL24

Saturday, February 3 at 5:30pm AEDT | WIN Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo - International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

Gary Clark has revealed he’s assessing a myriad of options for NBL25, both in Australia and abroad, but he also said he has fallen in love with the city of Wollongong during his time with the Illawarra Hawks.

Clark’s comments came after the Hawks’ win over New Zealand, where he stated he believes the manner in which Illawarra overcame the Breakers has helped cement his side as genuine challengers within the top six.

Liam Santamaria asserted Brisbane will likely need to win two of its remaining three games of the season in order to lock in a Finals position, due to all three of the Bullets’ fixtures coming against fellow Play-In hunting sides.

Illawarra
89-85 win over New Zealand
85-77 win over Perth
89-96 loss to Adelaide

Brisbane
77-93 loss to Melbourne
102-84 win over Cairns
86-118 loss to Perth

Sam Froling
Will Sam Froling be in the All-NBL First Team come season’s end? Given the positionless nature of the team and the ridiculous strength of the guard and wing positions this season the answer is more likely no, but the fact he’s in the conversation is a testament to the improvement he’s made across NBL24.

Froling has established himself as one of the premier local bigs in the NBL this season, and given his past relationship with Brian Goorjian and his inclusion in the extended Boomers squad ahead of last year’s FIBA World Cup, to say he’s on the fringes of what Goorjian perceives as his best roster is definitely within the realms of possibility.

It was Gary Clark who stepped up massively in the Hawks’ Round 17 win over New Zealand, but Brisbane’s strength in the post has been one of the Bullets’ biggest weapons this season.

When the going gets tough for the Bullets they have a tendency to simplify their offence and find the likes of Tyrell Harrison and Aron Baynes down low.

If the Hawks get on a roll, then the first line of defence to Brisbane’s dangerous backup plan will be Froling, so how will he fare?

“They’re looking at a sheet of paper (for MVP nominations) and they’re going to say ‘OK, who are the elite big men?’. Isaac Humphries has been terrific, he’ll attract some votes, Sam Froling is the other one, because for a while there Alan Williams was a lock before getting hurt. I think Isaac Humphries or Sam Froling should get a look in.” – Pete Hooley on NBL Now

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Froling cannot miss ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> star has converted all 9?? field goals. <br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/7fg2TLsLnx">pic.twitter.com/7fg2TLsLnx</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1743213867595878576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Casey Prather
Justin Schueller has been easing Casey Prather back into the rigours of the professional game following the import forward’s injury battles over the past two seasons, but if the defeat to Melbourne United is anything to go by, he’s ready for a full game load.

Prather added nine points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a more muted version of the all-action performances that led him to be nominated to the All-NBL First Team in 2017, but what was more telling was the fact he was on the floor for a season-high 23 minutes.

The impending return of Josh Bannan, who missed the clash with United due to illness, could see Prather’s minutes cut slightly for Brisbane’s final three games of the season, but if he's up and firing, it will go a long way to helping the Bullets secure Finals hoops for the first time since 2019.

“We got thrown a curveball late with Bannan being ill, but it was the perfect opportunity for Casey to take a step forward for us. I got in a little bit of trouble, I played him for a little bit more than I was meant to, but he’s definitely getting close to where there’s no more restrictions on him. His impact is going to be great, and has been great for us.” – Justin Schueller following the loss to Melbourne United

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Casey Prather’s first bucket as a Bullet!<br><br>Watch on ESPN | 10 Peach and 10 play<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIVERCITYSTRONG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIVERCITYSTRONG</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y8672o03R5">pic.twitter.com/Y8672o03R5</a></p>&mdash; Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets/status/1743874544581120432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk vs Nathan Sobey
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and the Illawarra Hawks have provided the blueprint on how to handle Bryce Cotton this season. One of the only players comparable to Cotton in the NBL in terms of heavy ball-usage, multi-dimensional scoring threat and ability to draw fouls is Nathan Sobey, who Swaka Lo Buluk will likely get the stopping job on this week.

After opening the season as an early MVP candidate, Sobey’s form dipped towards the middle of the campaign, but his 35 points against South East Melbourne, 27 points against Sydney and 25 points against Illawarra in recent wins indicate a rapid change of fortunes for the Olympic bronze medal winner.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Hawks are clicking early!<br><br>Wani Swaka Lo Buluk finds Gary Clark on the lob and the Hawks are looking for their fifth win in seven games against the Adelaide 36ers! <br><br>Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL</a> live on ESPN! ? <a href="https://t.co/KUxqIH1pRR">pic.twitter.com/KUxqIH1pRR</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Australia &amp; NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1741354685083079098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While Cotton and Sobey are certainly different players with different offensive strengths and weaknesses, Sobey managed to get away from the Hawks' defence with that aforementioned 25 points last time the teams met – which was only in Round 15.

Will the Hawks target Sobey with their defence in a similar fashion with which they did Cotton in Round 17, or will the sharpshooter find a way to get off the chain and lead Brisbane to another win?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Points 12, 13 and 14 for Nathan Sobey ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?<br><br>Catch the action live and free on Kayo via ESPN2 | 10 Peach and 10 Play ? <a href="https://t.co/rQno07TE2B">pic.twitter.com/rQno07TE2B</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1746372834660700625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Brisbane has won each of its last five games against Illawarra. The last Hawks win came in Round 19, NBL22 when a monster 28 points from current Portland Trail Blazer Duop Reath led the away side to a dramatic 31-point win.

Duop Reath.

Illawarra
Dan Grida – knee (TBC)

Brisbane
DJ Mitchell – hip (season)
Josh Bannan – illness (TBC)