While any match against an A-League club is a good result for the region's own Wollongong Wolves, fans were assured when the match was first announced Bolt would be playing.

Now, it looks more unlikely than likely Bolt will take the field.

Ultimately that’s not Bolt’s fault, but it is a disappointing result for people who bought tickets to see the world’s fastest man take the pitch at some point.

In the end he may well be relegated to a high-profile spectator and what promised to be a historic moment for football in the Illawarra may be nothing more than a footnote.

While the weather forecast also looks ominous, it still will be a chance for our Wollongong players to shine against those in the national league.

Therefore, if you like your football, get along and support the clash.

Seven more sleeps.

That is all that remains until the 2018-19 National Basketball League season tips off.

The Illawarra Hawks are the only remaining foundation club in the NBL and the Illawarra Mercury has been a proud partner with our only national sporting representative team for that whole journey.

That partnership will again continue for 2018-19 and we will welcome the season with a special edition on Friday, October 12.

The special edition coincides with the Hawks’ opening game of the season against reigning champions Melbourne United at the WIN Entertainment Centre that night.

The special edition will also feature your official 2018-19 team poster.

The new-look Hawks outfit has had a strong off-season and promise to be a lot of fun to watch this season.

Get your special edition next Friday and get along to support the Hawks in their campaign for the 2019 NBL title.