Simon eager to steal the limelight in vital Hawks clash

The league leader in steals, the 25-year-old has terrorised opponents throughout the season.

He was at it again on Saturday, making a game-winning play when he stripped Tai Webster of the ball in the final seconds of the Hawks victory over the Breakers.

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It was a moment he treasured and one he expects to find himself in again.

"What was going through my head was 'this is the place I want to be," Simon said. "I want it to be on me.

"I kept telling myself the hand cross was coming, he was going to get back to his right hand. I was thinking about the move he was going to make, trying to be a step ahead of him, luckily I was."

Simon and the Hawks were pleased with Saturday's win, but the squad knows they must take their game to another level to compete with Melbourne United on Tuesday night.

The competition leaders come to town desperate to return to form, having fallen to South East Melbourne on Sunday.

For the Hawks, the clash could prove pivotal in their chase for a finals berth. Currently sitting fourth, the side is just half a game ahead of the Kings.

While they may have struggled offensively at times throughout the year, Simon is confident their defensive effort will set the foundation for victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

"As a team we like to night in, night out hang our hat on the defensive end. That's what's going to help us win games.

"For myself, I take pride in that, getting stops and accepting the challenge every night, whoever my opponent is. Being disruptive, being a pest, locking things up and getting my hands everywhere.

"As long as we do our thing on the defensive end, when we're getting stops and rebounding the ball, that's when we're at our best. If we keep doing that and figuring things out on the offensive end we'll be alright."

Melbourne's offense has been led by Jock Londale, the centre averaging a team-high 16 points a game.

Shooting talent Chris Goulding is under a fitness cloud, the guard injuring his shoulder during Sunday's loss. The threats don't stop there, however, Scotty Hopson and Mitch McCarron adding vital buckets throughout the season.

For Simon, the key to shutting those players down is relentless pressure for the full contest.

"On the defensive end we've got to get after it, they've got a lot of talented guys that can make plays.

"If we're limiting our turnovers, getting out and playing fast, and getting stops on the other end, I think we'll have a great chance to win."