OSCAR’S NO SLOUCH
HAWKS forward Oscar Forman is a firm favourite for the NBL player of the week award after his near faultless game against the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday night.
Forman hit seven three-pointers from as many shots, as well as four from five inside in the 80-64 victory at WIN Entertainment Centre.
Adris Deleon also scored 29 points for the Gold Coast against Sydney in round 19, but Forman’s slick execution is expected to win him the award.
Forman could be the second Hawks player in three weeks to win the award, after captain Mat Campbell starred in the win over Melbourne.
Wollongong have a 2-1 head-to-head advantage in their four-game series with New Zealand and meet the competition leaders against on Thursday across the ditch.
It’s a remarkable record against the Breakers, considering the Hawks have won just six games all season.
DRAGONS DILEMMAS
EXPECT the Charity Shield to be a more accurate guide of how new Dragons coach Steve Price will fit the pieces of the puzzle together in round one.
St George Illawarra launched a spirited fightback in losing to North Queensland 18-12 in Perth on Saturday, having been blown away by a three-try Cowboys blitz in the first of 20 minute quarters.
The Dragons are assessing the injury damage to Dan Hunt (ribs) and Atelea Vea (knee), but expect Dean Young and Ben Hornby to be on deck for the annual preseason duel with South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
Beau Scott and Matt Prior are likely to share the time at right centre in the Charity Shield, unless Chase Stanley makes a surprise return from a knee reconstruction.
CUTTING THROUGH
THE name may take a bit of getting used to, but the Illawarra Cutters are poised to be a major success in the NSW Cup.
Steelers and Dragons great Paul McGregor made an impressive start to his new coaching venture with a 30-10 win over the Canberra Raiders-aligned Mounties yesterday.
Mercury spies report former Dragons under 20 fullback Henry Rawailui is warming to the task as the Cutters five-eighth.
Some Illawarra Coal League officials are disappointed at missing out on the Dragons fringe talent this year, after they were split up among the Illawarra club teams in 2011.
However, the players themselves are much happier in the NSW Cup, rather than the prospect of being parachuted into the Illawarra Coal League after training with the NRL squad all week.
The Cutters club logo has also received rave reviews from Wollongong football and marketing types alike.
SURF’S UP
GERROA surfer Sally Fitzgibbons starts her year off in a one-metre swell at the Australian Open Manly beach today.
The world No 2 will compete in the round of 48 heat against fellow Aussies Nikki Van Dijk and Georgia Fish, as well as Frenchwoman Lee Ann Curren.
Former Culburra beach teenager Tyler Wright, the world No 4, will also begin her 2012 campaign after winning the rookie of the year award during last year’s tour.
Wright is up against Argentinian Ornella Pellizzarim, South African Bianca Buitendag and Eden Putland from Australia.
STORM WARNING
WHILE the rest of the competition looked at the heavens - and the points table - Kiama made a crucial move in the South Coast cricket competition on Saturday.
Kiama moved into fourth spot after leapfrogging Oak Flats as a result of a 47-run win over Shellharbour.
The points will be crucial, with more wet weather expected in the lead-up to the finals series.
Illawarra cricket was forced to abandon all matches for the second weekend in a row, meaning Helensburgh are firming as minor premiership favourites.
The ‘Burgh are nine points clear of nearest rivals Keira.
Wollongong were awarded the Twenty20 crown after the finals were washed out on Sunday.
The Lighthousekeepers picked up the trophy based on net run rate from the preliminary rounds.
Hopefully premierships won’t be decided by the same means in March.
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