The team secured their place in the championship series after an 88-76 win against the Townsville Crocodiles at WIN Entertainment Centre last Saturday night.

Fan Tony Pierro said the team's determination to succeed after nearly being scratched from the NBL earlier in the season was an inspiration to the community.

"It's good to see the kids come out and support them," he said. "They've come from nothing right up to the top. I really hope they win the grand final."

Mat Campbell said the Hawks were expecting a hostile reception from the Wildcats but were looking forward to a challenging, evenly matched game.

"Hopefully we'll beat them in Perth and then come home to take out the grand final on our home court," he said.

The overwhelming surge of support for the Hawks comes after a vicious war of words was sparked when Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge described the team's Cinderella story as "sickening".

The attack was followed yesterday by Joseph Sapienza from website WA Today, who referred to the Illawarra as a "NSW south coast backwater with a population of what, 345, with eleven dogs, a rec centre in Dapto and a fraternity club".

It is expected a capacity crowd of close to 6000 will pack the WEC on Tuesday for the second game of the grand final series.

Fans are invited to wish the team well as they leave for Perth at 9.30am today from the Snakepit.