HOOPLA: Kay and Norton key building blocks for Beveridge

Hawks forward Nick Kay is currently on Boomers duty while Mitch Norton was part of Andrej Lemanis’ squad that cut a swathe through their rivals at the Asia Cup in August.

Fans might remember the former Townsville duo were the first two signings Beveridge made after re-signing AJ Ogilvy prior to last season.

Kay was coming off an NBL Rookie of the Year season while Norton was the young skipper of a youthful Crocs outfit under Shawn Dennis.

It put them in demand across the league but it was ultimately Dennis – longtime deputy to Beveridge – who steered them towards Illawarra knowing his old mate’s proven ability to make players better.

“When you’re trying to build a team you need a bunch of veterans that have been around, you need some guys at their peak and you need some young talent that you know are going to grow into really good players,” Beveridge said.

“Obviously Shawn was my assistant coach for a very long time and when Townsville folded he was the guy who convinced them to come to us. 

“He knew they’re the types of players I love and knew they could thrive under my environment. They were offered a lot more money elsewhere, super power teams, but these guys are very level-headed. 

“They know where they want to go and they knew our program could help them get there.

“They’re the youngest in our team, but they’re starters now and down the track this will be their team.”

Beveridge has also made a habit on recruiting on character as much as talent and said, in that regard, you won’t find two better young players.

“Those two guys are just absolute warriors in how hard they train and how diligent they are towards their preparation,” Beveridge said.

“With all the extra work they do… they’re real students of the game and they never rest on their laurels even having made the Boomers squad.

“Nick’s obviously still part of the [Boomers] equation and Mitch has been squeezed out but that’s just motivated him to work even harder.

“People like that are winners. That’s why we always see the best out of them when things get tough.”

Beveridge is also aware that, having both now represented their country, their stocks have risen. With both off-contract, the Hawks are sure to have a fight on their hands to keep the pair.

With only Ogilvy currently signed beyond this season, Kay and Norton form part of an intricate roster puzzle for the club that also has club stalwarts Rhys Martin, Tim Coenraad and Oscar Forman coming to the end of their current deals.

“They’re both coming off contract this year and they’ve both now been part of the Boomers program so I would say we’ll have a fight on our hands to keep them,” Beveridge said.