There were probably some Hawks fans that got in earlier because, with the playoffs shaping as they are, the Snakes are emerging as the story of the season - if they weren't already.

Beating either Sydney of Perth over three or five-game series' still looks a mountain too steep but the Snakes are certainly the team most likely to flip the high rollers table.

The Hawks faithful can take some joy in it on a number of fronts. There's an obvious fraternal bond of sorts between the Hawks and Taipans, the only two regionally-based teams in the national league.

Hawks fans can also find some solace in their northern cousins' dramatic rise just a season on from a dismal 2018-19 campaign that saw them finish at 6-22.

Even earlier this year Mike Kelly sat in the bowels of the WEC bemoaning a one-point loss to the Hawks that appeared the latest affirmation of his side's inability to win close games.

Plenty questioned Kelly's coaching ability, but he should now be a virtual lock for Coach of the Year - though there's certainly a case to be made for Sydney's Will Weaver.

Scott Machado and Cam Oliver are two pieces of very shrewd recruiting. This column has always been a huge fan of DJ Newbill (and quietly suggested he was someone the Hawks should be chasing).

Given the cultural similarities between the Hawks and Taipans - regional base, small-market, limited financial clout - it's logical for people to look closely at Cairns to see what can be mimicked.

Of course the Hawks would like to copy the outcome next season but, as far as an actual blueprint, the club could do a lot worse than taking a look at Brisbane.

Yes it's a capital city team but, like all sporting franchises in Queensland, it sits obscured in the vast shadow cast by the Broncos. They're not too dissimilar to Illawarra.

For one, Lamar Patterson is not necessarily the import the Hawks should be after, but the precise type of import they should be chasing.

He's the most versatile import in the league who can score, rebound, create, and defend. He's the difference-making 'stud' that can get you over the winning hump, but he draws nothing away from the roster's other strengths.

In Brisbane's case it's their Australian contingent - Nathan Sobey, Cam Gliddon, Jason Cadee, Matt Hodgson and co. Andrej Lemanis spoke to that in Wollongong after the Bullets win over the Hawks in their season-opener.

"We're playing a little differently this year in terms of positions and things like that and that's going to take time to navigate," Lemanis said at the time.

"The way the recruiting played out, once Lamar became available again, our philosophy was let's get a bunch of good players and then figure the rest out.

"We've got good IQ guys and guys who play in the best interests of the team. We've got versatility within the group and guys who are smart enough, and team-orientated enough to play that way."

People had obvious questions about the make-up of the roster - in particular its other imports Taylor Braun and EJ Singler - that only became louder as they hit the wobbles.

Lemanis was unwilling - or perhaps more likely unable - to make changes. Not all clubs have the luxury of moving on a Dario Hunt after 22 games and bringing in a Miles Plumlee.

The Bullets have now found their groove and, while they're still in a battle, are the form team of the group chasing fourth spot. They have two of those teams - Melbourne United and New Zealand - at home in their final five games.

The likes of Sunday Dech, Emmett Naar, Angus Glover, Dan Grida and Sam Froling aren't yet at the level of Sobey, Gliddon and co. but they'll be nudging it next season.

Todd Blanchfield is in his prime. Recruiting imports that take time away from that crop is counterproductive, particularly in the long-term.

They'll still need quality imports - and fork over the cash to get them, but they have to be the right ones. Cairns got the right ones this season.

The Hawks did to in Aaron Brooks, his injury was just unfortunate. They've had absolutely no luck on that front.

For all the talk about next season we've already heard, Flinn was probably asked for the first time on Saturday what type of import the club will be looking for.

"I think we have trouble scoring at times, there's no question we need some help in that area," he said.

"If we put some talent around them, and some scoring, we're going to be on our way."

If the club gets its next key import right, the struggles of the current season will be worth it. If they don't, then all the talk of next season was really just an excuse for the current one.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE FOUL-UP

Is there anything more infuriating to watch than NBL games marred by these ridiculous unsportsmanlike fouls that seem to be plaguing the league at present. In defence of the refs, they are just following the rules as they're set out but surely it's something the NBL need to step in and address.

If someone was forced to regularly front the media to justify such decisions on a weekly basis like NRL head of football Graham Annesely does then you can bet they would.

Brandon Ashley's ejection against Sydney on Friday was absurd. He got pushed twice, pushed back on both occasions and ends up being thrown out.

Shaun Bruce instigated and Jae'sean Tate inflamed the situation but the Breakers ended up down a player. Thankfully they got over the line. Sitting there watching slo mo replay after replay in anticipation of an awful call being made is even worse.

Please NBL, if you're listenin', fix it. Please.