This time Goliath won the battle, but David lives on to fight another day.
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The mighty Perth Wildcats proved too good in the NBL grand final series sweeping the Illawarra Hawks in the best-of-five series by winning game three in Perth on Sunday.
Yet the Hawks gave it a red-hot crack in each and every game.
It’s important to understand just what the Illawarra Hawks have achieved this season.
Two years ago the club was on the ropes.
Last year the Hawks made the semis and gave Perth a run for its money before the Wildcats went on to win the championship.
This year, when many of the league’s so-called experts had them pegged for the bottom two, the Hawks not only made the grand final but did so by knocking out in the red-hot Adelaide 36ers in Adelaide.
Many of the league’s wealthy clubs – Perth included – chopped and changed their rosters in hunt of the perfect formula all year.
That’s not a luxury the Illawarra Hawks have at their disposal, but also it’s not something our region would naturally support either.
We watched this group of players battle through an entire season, we rode their individual ups and downs.
We laughed when they laughed, cried when they cried, cheered when they cheered and ate our cheeseburgers when Rotnei told us to eat them.
At the end of every game, win or lose, we waited as every player went around the stands to say their thanks.
A sign of mutual respect between fans and players.
In the latter half of the season, the “ILL-A-WARRA” chant has rocked the stadium more often than not.
Those who have been courtside at those moments can attest to the spectacle – just a hair-raising moment of community and club passion. That’s something others can’t buy.
To the Illawarra Hawks, players, coaching staff, dedicated front office, owners, sponsors and supporters.
You should be immensely proud of what you have achieved this season.
To Marvelle Harris, a young man who had to battle such personal adversity over this grand final series, deepest sympathies to you and your family. Your efforts will never be forgotten.
The Illawarra Mercury is a proud partner of the Illawarra Hawks.
Let’s do it all again next season.