Tate's produced his own highlights this season, but it's his role in Grida's reel that will likely get the most play at season's end - certainly in block of the year stakes.

It set Twitter abuzz, but Grida's match turning fourth-quarter spike of a Tate layup was more than just a personal highlight, it sparked a 14-2 run that spurred to Hawks to an upset win over their arch-rivals.

It also cast minds back to a similar rejection of Perth star Terrico White last season, though the the 21-year-old is loath to place them in a hierarchy.

"That's up to other people to decide, I like them all," Grida said with a laugh.

"I just saw him trying to do a Euro-step and he got past Darington [Hobson] so I thought 'let's see if I can get it'. If I didn't block it I was going to foul him so he couldn't get a layup.

"I just thought 'go as hard as you can and if it comes off it comes off' and luckily it did. I was just trying to make the most of being in the game.

"Flinny's been big on making the most of our minutes and taking our opportunities. I've been trying to do it all year, it hasn't quite come to fruition yet, but these last few games I've been feeling really good."

It was a reminder of the abilities the Perth product put on show last season, one that put him in Rookie of the Year reckoning and saw him make a Boomers debut at season's end.

A deeper rotation has limited his minutes to 12.30 on the floor this season. It's made it tough to build on but he insists it hasn't left him kicking stones.

"It's been a frustrating year [personally] but I'm all about team, I know my minutes will come" he said.

"I'm always talking to [Angus] Glover, we're 21 years old, there's not a lot of 21-year-olds' in the league so we've got a long career ahead of us.

"We work super hard every day and it's just about being patient. My confidence has taken a bit of a hit at times this year but I just keep looking at the bigger picture.

"Against South East Melbourne I got a little back-cut layup... it makes you feel good. Little things build your confidence and can turn things pretty quick.

"You can't just go into a hole. I love playing basketball so you've just got to look at the bigger picture and keep it positive as possible. That's the only way through it."

He'll look to continue the momentum against Melbourne United on Saturday night, with the form spike a timely one in an off-contract season.

An unquestionable talent, he'll have no shortage of suitors come free agency. The Hawks face a fight to keep their exciting crop of youngsters together, but Grida's happy to leave that conversation for further down the track.

"I'm pretty focused on the right now," he said.

"I love Wollongong, I love playing here and I love this team. I know I can play in this league, I was good last year, I know what I can do, it's just been a matter of getting into games and making and impact when I'm there.

"That's what I'm going to try and do every game until the end of the season. When that time comes I'll have a conversation and see what we can do."

Saturday's clash shapes as the return for another young gun in Sam Froling, who's likely to kit up after missing the past 11 games with an ankle injury.

Saturday's clash shapes as the return for another young gun in Sam Froling, who's likely to kit up after missing the past 11 games with an ankle injury.

LaMelo Ball will remain out of action, with a more solid return-to-play date expected next week.