BASKETBALL
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Maybe they were trying to drum up some magic for a good season next year.
Whatever the reason behind the Wollongong Hawks' wizards theme for Mad Monday, it sure made for a strange sight.
Kyle Adnam did his best Dobby impression, while Rhys Martin passed as a convincing Hermione Granger.
"Hopefully no blokes come up and ask Rhys out for a date," Hawks captain Oscar Forman said.
The Hawks won just six of 28 games and finished with the wooden spoon for the second time in the club's 36 years.
"Obviously it was very tough and there was a lot of frustration at different stages of the season, so it's good for us all to get together away from basketball and have a few laughs," Forman said.
Forward Adam Ballinger was having his last Mad Monday after 12 NBL seasons.
"When you're younger and you think about when you're going to retire, you think it's going to be tough, but it hasn't been as tough as I thought," Ballinger said.
"I've had a lot of well-wishers since it was announced, a lot of kind words from coaches and players and my family. It's made it pretty good. I feel like it's a good time to do it. Three or four years ago it would've been a sadder situation if I'd retired. It hasn't been worrisome or anything. It feels like the right thing to do."
Ballinger started in his final game on Sunday against Adelaide, tallying nine points and five rebounds.
"I had the first five points and I was on pace for a 70-point game," he said.
"To get the start and play a lot in that game, it felt good to run around one more time ..."