The Hawks have rarely had a consistent stretch of matches this season with all of their squad fit and ready for battle.

Issues with Rhys Martin, Kevin Lisch, Cody Ellis, Tim Coenraad, Kirk Penney and the long-term absence of Tyson Demos has made it difficult for them to build momentum at stages throughout the campaign.

But in last week’s overtime victory over Townsville they had all hands back on deck and they’ll will get another opportunity to play as a complete squad before the playoffs against the 36ers.

Beveridge said strengthening their ‘togetherness’ on court would be key in the clash.

‘‘Our whole season has been an incredible season where whenever we have our 10 players on the floor, they are one of the best teams in the competition,” he said.

‘‘We have been up and down all season because we haven’t had a full group.

‘‘We will be playing with our whole 10.

‘‘We did it last week against Townsville and were a bit rusty but we are going to have them all and it is about getting us to play hard as a group.’’

Nothing would make Beveridge happier heading into the Hawks’ final match and the post-season than walking into WIN Entertainment Centre to find it missing a curtain at one end.

The black sheet draped behind the basket may have done its job enhancing the atmosphere throughout the season,  but Beveridge wants the seats behind it to be filled when Illawarra need it most.

‘‘The way the league is, the home fans no matter where you go have been incredible this year and it has been the loudest I have ever heard it. I expect the same here with our crowd,” Beveridge said.

‘‘We need to have as many people here supporting.

‘We watched the crowd come back and grow, but it is not good enough.

‘We still have the curtain there and we want to open that up.

‘‘We are playing some of the most exciting basketball anyone will ever see.’’

Illawarra’s finals fate is still yet to be determined, with away series against Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats a possibility.

The NBL announced the playoffs schedule on Thursday.

United will host the game one of their series on Thursday, February 18 while the Wildcats play on Friday, February 19.