The phrase “you don’t know what you’re going to get from us” was repeated verbatim. Both held similarities to other pressers this season following a loss with the central thesis that a persistent mental fragility continues to hold the Hawks back.

What’s even more baffling is the relative stability the Hawks have had in their roster this season. They’ve been virtually unhindered by injury and could well be the only team to reach the end of the season with the same 10-man list they started with.

Beveridge was also right to point out that the Hawks are not the only guilty party in that regard with runaway leaders Adelaide the only team so far this season to stake a genuine title claim. T

Melbourne United are the only team to rival the Hawks inconsistency when it comes to their best and worse performances. Like the Hawks, they can beat anyone handily on their day but no one, players or coaches, seems to know which team will turn up. Neither are consistently producing play-off basketball at present.

Perth know what they can do at finals time but, after a slow start, their battle will be making it there while Sydney have dropped seven of their last eight and look spent.

Which leaves New Zealand who’ve gone from no-hopers, to smokeys to genuine contenders in the space of three weeks. Kevin Dillard has been outstanding, as he was against Illawarra on Friday, and that has allowed Kirk Penney to recapture ominous form heading into finals time. 

Fans will remember that the Breakers went on a similarly well-timed run last year after looking dead and buried. The club announced that Dean Vickerman was moving on as coach and looked to be merely going through the motions only charge into the finals and cause a boilover against hot title favourites Melbourne en route to a grand final appearance . Coach Paul Henare, who was Vickerman’s assistant last season, was asked about the parallels after the Breakers win over the Hawks.

“I guess there are some parallels from last year because we seem to be finding some form at the right time,” Henare said.

“I’m not sure if it’s a parallel that I like. I’d much rather be in the play-off hunt midway through the season.

“We’ve had some disruptions this year which has had something to do with our up an down performances throughout and adjustments we’ve made on the the fly.

“We’re well short of where we want to be still but we obviously want to keep this momentum going into the back end of the season.