THE scene was like a dagger to the heart of Hawks fans.
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Kevin Lisch, grand final series MVP, embracing Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge moments after securing the 2009-10 NBL championship. It went to game three at Perth Arena, but the Hawks couldn’t break their hoodoo in the wild west.
On Saturday night, again in the intimidating Wildcats cauldron, the same two men have the chance to end a curse which has lasted a decade.
Remarkably, it will be 10 years almost to the day since an Illawarra team won in Perth.
The last time was on November 5, 2005, when the Hawks won 119-92, when club legend Mat Campbell was at the height of his shooting powers.
Since then, the Hawks have lost 20 consecutive times in Perth, including games one and three of the 2010 grand final series.
“There’s a few factors,” Campbell said when asked about the losing streak. “Obviously the travel and the time difference, it messes with your routine, as well as the class of the players Perth have had and the intensity they bring to the court.”
It may still be early in the season, but Campbell believes a drought-breaking win in Perth could establish the Hawks’ credentials.
“It would be a big step in their title campaign, definitely,” he said.
“To win this one could give them a belief which is unshakable for the rest of the season, when you think of the history the Hawks have had over there.
“To make finals and win championships, you’ve got to be able to win on the road in big games and there’s no bigger challenge than beating Perth over there.”
Campbell is well aware the Hawks players are still frustrated after letting victory slip against the Wildcats at WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday.
Like Kirk Penney firing 36 points in a 21-point demolition of his former club New Zealand, Campbell expects Lisch to rise to the occasion in Perth.
“I’m sure Rob and Kev will be wanting to prove something,” he said.
“It will be up to the rest of the team to make sure (Lisch is) comfortable early, because I’m sure the Perth fans will be giving it to him.
“But there’s no doubt we’ve for the firepower there to take it to them.”
NBL
Round four
Saturday (9.30pm AEDT)
PERTH WILDCATS v
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
Perth Arena
TV: Live on Fox Sports News
