Perth coach Rob Beveridge's controversial comments in a Perth newspaper aren't about to win him any friends in Wollongong.
The Hawks are the undisputed sentimental favourites in the grand final series with the Wildcats, which has been likened to a David v Goliath battle of the big city, big-spending glamour club versus the small-town, small budget minnows.
Full coverage of the Wollongong Hawks Beveridge might have just been trying to remind NBL Coach of the Year voters of the fine job he has done in his first season with the Cats, but Hawks fans are sure to view his remarks about Wollongong's against-the-odds journey to the championship series as petty and insensitive.
``All this fairytale stuff is starting to get a little bit sickening. They're everybody's second-favourite team," he said.
``All the experts out there are talking about the Cinderella story. Hang on a second here, how many games has Glen Saville played? How many championships has he won? Same with Mat Campbell.
``They've got a group of men that are veterans. We've got a bunch of young guys and it's the first time that they're in this situation. So we're extremely proud of how we've done as well."
For the record, Saville and Campbell have won just one title each. As for being ``a group of veterans'', Saville and Campbell are the only Wollongong players over the age of 30.
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