So when the veteran forward returned to the court in the second stanza, he did so with one thing in mind.

“I thought you know what ‘screw em’ I am shooting everything," the talented shooter explained.

The move paid off.

After going into the sheds with six points to his name, Forman went off in the second half to help Illawarra secure a determined 87-75 victory. Forman finished with a game-high 24 points, including six threes from 12 attempts, to help the Hawks to their first win over Sydney this season.

Forman had failed to score in three matches leading into the battle against Illawarra’s biggest rivals and was relieved to finally see the ball hit the bottom of the basket.

“It has been one of those things where to try to get myself going I have had to focus on getting a few rebounds and that’s been really struggling for me as well,” he said.

“[On Friday] as soon as I checked in and I saw an open shot I tried and shoot it to be honest.

“If I am feeling good I will try and shoot it. With my percentage, usually it is a decent shot. I am not going to take anything crazy.

“The first two felt great they missed and I thought one has got to drop eventually.”

Forman’s season-high points haul led a 44-point bench contribution.

Star import Rotnei Clarke also had 11 points from the second unit, which outscored the starting five.

“We are deep,” Forman said.

“I think a lot of the props have to go to Kevin White and Mitch Norton in that starting group.

“You put a guy like Kevin White into the starting group. His job is to tire them out.

“We want him to tire the other point guard out. He will be tired and will call a sub but then we are bringing Rotnei Clarke in.

“Then generally we are bringing Rhys and Rotnei in together who have history and know each other.

“Rhys will play at his slow pace and try to get Rotnei open so we have the luxury a deep team.”

Illawarra’s depth proved crucial as they fought back from a five point deficit at the final change to run out easy winners on the back of a 29-12 final quarter.

Forman put the Hawks’ ability to fight back down to strong team culture – a trait they’ve worked hard to build this season.

“You can see during the game when things get tough, guys really band together,” Forman said.

“Our huddles are tighter. They are succinct and clear now.

“Earlier in the season it was, someone over there yelling at someone, someone is here at the ref, someone is feeling sorry for themselves.

“Now it is people getting the respect that you can say ‘hey, right now we have got to look at the next play’ and everyone shuts up and listens.”

The Hawks next play on New Year’s Eve against Perth Wildcats.