Hawks coach Rob Beveridge believes Illawarra rediscovered their identity in Sunday’s win over Brisbane and hopes his troops can maintain the rage ahead of another crucial double header this week.
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Illawarra were winless after three games heading into their showdown with the Bullets, but kick-started their campaign with a determined 105-96 triumph at WIN Entertainment Centre.
They were 10-points down at half time before fighting back to chalk up their first win of the season.
It came as a relief to Beveridge, who knows the Hawks must be at their best again with matches against Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings looming this week.
“I have been so frustrated every game because I have pretty high expectations of this team this year,” Beveridge said.
“We have come from semi final, grand final to that performance that we put on for the first few days.
“These guys are too good to be able to be 0-3. We are right at the bottom and people are writing us off and I just know we are so much better than that.
“There was still some inconsistency but at least we showed so much heart, determination and passion.
“Now that we have re-identified who we are as a group we can now start winning more games.”
Illawarra seemed to get some inspiration from a third quarter bust up against the Bullets which saw five players handed fouls. The incident was sparked by Adam Gibson on Hawks big man Nick Kay before several Illawarra players rushed to their teammates aid.
Beveridge didn’t condone violence, but felt it was an important show of character from his troops as they continue to try and get themselves out of an early season hole.
“That just shows you how tight of group this is,” he said.
“We were 0-3 leading into the [Bullets] game and there is a lot of pressure coming from different areas. For us to stay tight as a group, come back from being down by 15 at one stage, maybe that was the turning point.”
Hawks vice captain Mitch Norton, who had nine points on the weekend, agreed with his coach.
“Having two new guys come in, they have fit in really well and having that kind of stuff happen brings the group to together,” Norton said.
“I think all the road trips we have coming up, it brings us closer together. It is that us versus everyone mentality.
“I think that is only going to speed things up and bring us closer together.”
The Hawks travel to Perth to play the Wildcats on Thursday night before returning to host the struggling Sydney Kings at home on Sunday afternoon.
