The Hawks faithful only just watched former favourite sons Nick Kay and Mitch Norton star for Perth in Wollongong on Sunday.

Conger was the true MVP of the NBL last season in the eyes of many and remains the best player this columnist has seen play for the Hawks in the flesh.

You can take it as gospel that Big Meech was dead keen to hang around in Wollongong but he simply priced himself out of the Hawks range with his season.

A reluctance to play against the Hawks played a role in his departure to Europe but that stance has obviously softened and you can only imagine his style of play will fit perfectly into Joey Wright’s system.

It’s great to see him back in the league but, with three of the Hawks next five games against the 36ers, Wollongong fans will be hoping he takes a month or so to re-find his feet.