Illawarra got agonisingly close to providing just that to young-gun Sam Froling on Wednesday night, going down by three to Melbourne United in a thriller, but the early league Most Improved candidate says his milestone birthday will still take some forgetting.

One of just three players on the Hawks roster not playing at the WEC for the first time, Froling praised the Hawks faithful for creating an atmosphere he'd never experienced before, in Wollongong or beyond.

"It was special, I don't think all of last year was like that at all," Froling said.

"Walking in that gym and hearing that Illawarra chant for the first time sent shivers down my spine, it was crazy. It was super special and they were like a sixth man, I know they gave me a lot of energy."

Froling finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, continuing an outstanding start to the season, but was more left ruing the points and boards he didn't grab as his side got edged out at the death on their home floor.

"We definitely had opportunities to beat them," Froling said.

"I know myself, I missed a couple of bunnies, some of the other guys will be disappointed with some of the shots they missed. We gave up that o-board at the end, I gave up a bucket with 20 seconds to go.

"We definitely had opportunities where we could've taken that game and run away with it or got that lead back in the last minute or so. Next time we face them I think we're definitely a good chance."

The Boomers rep has now more than held his own against marquee bigs Cam Oliver and Jock Landale over the first six games - including a highlight reel chase-down block on the latter on Wednesday - but insists he's not circling any names on the sheet pre-game.

"I wouldn't say I'm making it personal, I'm just going out there to do what I can to help our team win and try and play my best to get us over the line," Froling said.

"I don't put a target on those guys back, but if I have to go out there to score on those guys, get rebounds [over them] I'm going to do whatever I've got to do."