More than seven months after their last NBL match, Illawarra will finally get the chance to begin atoning for a disappointing 2014-15.

The Hawks will open their new campaign away to the Cairns Taipans on Thursday night.

Illawarra forward Oscar Forman admits it is good to be back.

‘‘No one ever likes pre-season or training. We are here to play games so it is about time we get ready for the real thing,” he said.

‘‘I think things have built up pretty well. We have had a nice progression with our pre-season going through scrimmage stuff and putting in some plays.

‘‘We have been getting an understanding of Bevo’s system and I think for the returning players it has been a learning curve for us, trying to change our mindset from the old system to the new. It has been evident as the games have gone along how that has happened.”

Illawarra continued to improve as the pre-season went on and have won three of their past four matches heading into their opener.

‘‘As a team, the new group is gelling very well,” Forman said.

“It is amazing how the understanding between guys on court makes it seem like it isn’t a new group.”