Ps- I am not a Hawks fan, but as a fan of the game am interested as to what people's thoughts are on this!

I honestly don't know but it always feels like they have one facet missing from their game each match whether it is rebounding, shooting, defence, handling the ball or whatever. We know they are deadly when they get everything Together but how long will that take?

I'd personally like to see Foreman switch to the 3, he isn't effective enough on the glass and he already stretches the defence and maybe Brad Hill to the 4 can work again as it did in patches last season for Sydney!

I don't think they use Demos correctly, let's face it he is a dud on the offensive end but he has more mongrel about him than any other Hawks player and maybe he could be used to 'rough up'the opposition a bit. That may just provide the spark needed for this team.

Nevill is too passive and needs to do something to fire him up like a massive screen or a dunk or a block and then hopefully they find him and he makes those shots from inside the key.

I can't tell but Foreman as captain I don't understand, he seems like a lovely fella but he doesn't seem like the type to put a team on his back and say 'come with me guys' and I feel they rely on the leadership of Gordie more than any other team relies on their coach.

I hate to say it but I think this Hawks side is deeper than last season's but I wonder what their new owner would do to get Rotnei Clarje back in a hawks uniform.

Talk the Hawks may not exist next season may be a demotivating factor.

The Hawks are basically the only national team representing the "gong now.

Wollongong Wolves (soccer) - gone
Illawarra Steelers (league) - merged with St George, now play some games in Wollongong. Wollongong was a former recruitment zone for St George then the Steelers entered the league, only to merge with the Dragons.

Any team representing the area on a national scale would generate some pride. I doubt if this is their last season.

Are the rumors about the Hawks not existing next year true? I would lose a lot of respect for James Spencly if he was out after one bad year.

Ervin is having a poor season by his standards. He's jerking all over the place and has no stability. But he's done it before so I'd back the fella to get his game back on track. If this is the case then see you Carson, nice to know you.

Get Adnam more game time. This kid can BALL

Ballinger has been poor. Nevill isn't doing much this year, needs to be fired up.

They should beg Clarke to come back or get an intimidating centre with Carson's import spot.

Demos is a real good player, absolute wall on D.

There's a few issues.
1. Signed Ervin with the intention of signing a import 3/2. Then Martin said he was going overseas so they signed Carson. Now Martin has returned and they're having to adjust on the fly.

2. Signed Nevill last second before the start of the season. I think he said he had 1 or 2 practices before his first game. Again, having to learn on the fly.

3. It seems that Carson's focus is on making the NBA so he's out trying to get his stats to make a case. It's clear during games that some team mates are frustrated by him and so is Gordie when he breaks plays to go iso.

4. Nevill has been slow to pick up plays. You put on games from previous years where either Gruber, Davidson or Forman plays at the 5, then watch Nevill during the same play. He's slow to react and you can tell he's struggling. Gordie hasn't figured out how to use him just yet.

5. No energy off the bench.


Personally I think they need to move either import to the bench. Go to Nevill early in the game to establish him, run plays for him. Then open the floor up once he gets going. Play more man instead of zone. Nevill is no good in zone.

If we are talking roster moves this season and assuming management are willing to spend some money. Release either import. Go for a energetic 2/3. Release Ballinger or Nevill and re-sign Gruber. Also play Adnam more, just little bursts for some energy if needed. The guy can play and if Wollongong fans see it he will become a fan favorite real quick.

Gary Ervin in my opinion is now a below average import. He is a SG in a PG's body who does not set up guys, he also shoots tough low percentage shots. Ervin is not consistent anymore and in Carson they basically found an Ervin clone.

In my opinion this team lacks a reliable scorer, someone who will consistently score 15 points a game.

I never said he was giving up ownership.

I guess we will se what transpires next season.

should pick up durrell summers he looked very good pre season last season

I don't think that is an awful idea dugg... Summers had energy and that is what they need.

I hope someone can put a rocket up Brad Hill, he is so much better when he is aggressive and damn useless when he is passive and he should be the spark off the bench in the 3 spot... But if they got Summers then what?

Wow, talk of the Hawks being extinct after a poor season, that is what is wrong, why can't we just say they are not doing great and maybe they can rebuild or make some minor changes next season to come back bigger and better???

Why is it that whenever we start debating a team in the NBL not winning games, we start with the rumours that they will not be there next season, this is what is wrong with the whole situation, the NBL and its perception within the sporting community IMHO!

If we are so hung up about teams staying in the NBL and we can't for the life of the competition sustain teams year in year out, then we should throw out the NBL concept and replace it with a promotion/relegation league across the country and NZ...

There is nothing essentially wrong with the Hawks, they just can't crack it for a win right now, so when they get their game together and have a win we should all be saying how well they are going, surely...

You guys do realize that Summers was a colossal egotist and dickhead, right?

He expected a better deal than the one he signed with the Hawks, spurned them last-minute for a shot at Europe (i.e. more $$$) and flopped big-time: being cut by three teams in 5 months.

The talent of Summers, McRae etc can only take a team so far when they're devoid of team-orientated intangibles.

As for the Hawks, keep the owner's hands out of the cookie jar! It's great that he's financially assisting the club, but throwing talent together doesn't equate to success.

Forman, Davidson and Gruber, for all their deficiencies, are proven committees and served Geordie and their club incredibly well. Ballinger was a great addition and made a lot of sense given the make up of the team.

Nevill belongs in a more orthadox system like Melbourne's or Sydney's in my opinion: posting up blatant mismatches, setting off-ball screens and spreading the defense with his mid-range shot.

This team should be able to compete playing an unorthodox style, per usual:

Carson / Demos
Martin / Import (2/3 that can shoot)
Coenraad / Hill
Forman / Ballinger
Davidson / Gruber

Geordie is struggling to fit Carson, Ervin AND Nevill into his system. Ervin has been subpar and doesn't add anything in terms of team chemistry. I think Carson has something to add to the Hawks.

Unfortunately the Hawks are probably stuck with Nevill - paying him big (no pun intended) bucks to play 10-15mpg. Get rid of Ervin while the season is salvageable, look for a replacement import that better fits the team's needs and take the season one game at a time.

The curse of Zac.