IT became known as “Spygate”.
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It was one of the games of the National Basketball League season where the Illawarra Hawks lost to Melbourne by one point in controversial circumstances.
Television cameras caught a Melbourne assistant coach correctly predicting Illawarra’s final play which had been just drawn up by Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge in the opposing huddle.
Social media went into overdrive with allegations Melbourne had somehow listened in on the huddle and used the information to its benefit.
Melbourne United denied the allegations and instead insisted the assistant coach had simply correctly called it on the basis of past scouting.
As sports reporter Mitch Jennings rightfully and amusingly points out in his comment piece, the coach must be Nostradamus as those who watch the Hawks know it was not a play they’d normally go to down the stretch.
Coach Beveridge, at the time, questioned whether he’d continue to allow television access to his huddles, but the league did nothing to the investigate the matter.
Sceptics watching on would question whether the league pulled rank over the matter.
Quiet words have probably been spoken behind closed doors for both clubs to move on.
However, you can safely bet the already intense rivalry between the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United went to another level that night.
They might respect each other, but they clearly don’t enjoy each other’s company.
It is our duty as supporters of the Hawks to get right behind the home team and give the visitors a red-hot Illawarra welcome.
Finals positions are on the line.
The game against Melbourne and Saturday’s clash against the Townsville Crocodiles will go a long way to deciding the Hawks’ final position on the ladder.
It’s time to flex our muscles Illawarra, start packing out the stadium and enjoying the ride as the Hawks try to take out this year’s national title.
Despite being a foundation club of the NBL, the Hawks have only taken out the national title once in that time, back in 2001.
Let’s do our bit and ensure the Illawarra Hawks best sixth-man is a vocal and pumped crowd turning the Hawks’ nest into a decidedly unwelcoming place for visitors.
