TWO teams, at opposite ends of their campaigns, with one common theme.
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Hope.
On Saturday night, the Illawarra Hawks takes to the court, desperate and driven to cling on to the NBL playoffs spot they’ve owned for most of the season.
An awkward date with Brisbane, their finals chances already dashed, standing in their way.
They just need to win, then worry about the wash-up around finals assignments later.
It’s an extraordinary end to the closest, most remarkable season in NBL history, with former league MVP Rotnei Clarke finding his best at the right time.
Next door, kicking off two hours later, St George Illawarra take their first tentative steps towards the new NRL season.
It’s a club under immense pressure, from the fan base to chief executive and coach, but little expectation at the same time.
Perhaps some of the big questions around the make-up of the Dragons lineup for round one against Penrith on March 4 will be answered in a trial against the Tigers at WIN Stadium. Jai Field? Shaun Nona? Josh McCrone? Cameron McInnes? Euan Aitken? Who will earn their place?
Then again, perhaps 20, or 40 minutes of game time for each will only make the situation more complicated for Paul McGregor, heading into next Saturday’s Charity Shield. While the Shellharbour junior Jai Field has emerged as a front-runner for the vacant halves spot, likely to partner captain Gareth Widdop, Nona believes this season is his last chance in the NRL.
"I'd be happy with just one or two games to be honest. I don't think I need much more than that to prove myself," Nona told NRL.com.
"I'm 26 years old, I've done all the things in the leagues below and I'm ready to prove myself at the next level.
"I'm pretty confident that if I'm given the opportunity I can lead this team around.”
If the stakes are high for Nona on Saturday, they’ve never been higher for the Hawks, in pursuit of a second NBL championship.
- DOUBLE-HEADER
Saturday
NBL
WIN Entertainment Centre
ILLAWARRA HAWKS v BRISBANE BULLETS (5.35pm)
NRL TRIAL
WIN Stadium
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v WESTS TIGERS (7.40pm)
NSW Premiership: ILLAWARRA CUTTERS v WYONG ROOS (5.45pm)
Gates open: 5.30pm
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
