BASKETBALL
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Reigning MVP Tim Coenraad believes the Hawks have the makings of "something special" after re-committing to the club for another season on Monday.
Coenraad enjoyed a career-best season in 2014-15, averaging 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds to pick up the club's top individual honour.
He was also voted MVP by Hawks members for his stellar year, despite being hindered over the latter half of the season by a foot injury.
Coenraad joins fellow long-term Hawks Rhys Martin, Tyson Demos, Oscar Forman and Larry Davidson and new recruits Kevin Lisch and AJ Ogilvy on Rob Beveridge's roster.
Having spent six years in Wollongong, Coenraad said he always hoped to remain with the Hawks even as the club was placed in voluntary administration at the end of last season.
"I think in any free-agency period it always enters your mind that you might have to go to another club for the simple fact that the club may be going in a different direction," Coenraad said.
"It did enter my mind and I was kind of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best and it all worked out in the end.
"I'm really glad to be back with the Hawks for another season, it's a great community and a great town and with the guys we're recruiting I think we can do something special this year."
While it was a career-defining season for Coenraad, it was a disappointing year for the Hawks. While he excelled under former coach Gordie McLeod's Xs and Os style, Coenraad is confident he can find a niche in Beveridge's more open approach.
"I was with Gordie for six seasons and he was a great coach and tactician," Coenraad said.
"With Bevo coming in, he's definitely a different style of coach. He's a lot more free on the offensive end and emphasises the defensive end a lot. I think that's going to be good for the team going forward and it's going to be something new and fresh.
"At the end of the day I just want to see us win more games than last year. I want us to be back as a top-four team and make some noise.
"In terms of Bevo's style, I'm sure it's going to free us up a little bit. We've got some guys who are really potent getting to the basket, which frees up shooters like myself.
" ... I'm confident I can find a place in whatever system Bevo puts in place."
The addition of Coenraad takes Beveridge's new roster to seven members with the second import spot still to be filled.
Beveridge said a strong 4-3 with defensive presence would be ideal but said he was open to any talent that should emerge.