Ed Space
The enduring thing about fairytales is the storylines stand the test of time.
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Love conquers all, triumph over evil, a house made of ginger bread is never a good thing.
The best fairy tales have been told in many different variations for generations, but all the while the core theme remains the same.
Think about the many ways we've told the Snow White story for instance.
On Wednesday's front page of the Illawarra Mercury we described the Illawarra Hawks' sealing a berth in the 2021 National Basketball League finals as "The Cinderella Story".
Cinderella, the classic "rags to riches" tale.
Coming off the collapse of the previous ownership, the rebirth of the club, coming off a wooden spoon season the previous year on court and winning through to the finals in arguably one of the toughest and most arduous seasons the NBL has ever seen. That is a fairytale.
For those in the crowd on Tuesday night, those die-hard fans and those who have worked so tirelessly as part of the new Illawarra Hawks' organisation, it was as emotionally draining evening as you could possibly imagine.
It was little wonder two days later against arch rival Sydney Kings, the entire arena felt a little flat. And you could be forgiven for thinking this was all a brand experience. It's not.
This is a storyline we have seen and lived before and in this particular case, just a few years earlier.
What should not be forgotten is the Hawks have worn these glass slippers before.
The Cinderella story is one for which this club is very familiar.
In 2016-17 then coach Rob Beveridge took a similarly unheralded crew all the way to the grand final series against the Perth Wildcats.
While the Wildcats dominated the series, the underdog Hawks surprised all at the ball to make it onto the dance floor. Much like this year's Illawarra Hawks.
With Brian Goorjian playing the role of fairy godmother, the 2021 Illawarra Hawks will again be the envy of some far more fancied suitors are they waltz around the finals floor.
Maybe the Hawks' new team chant at the end of each huddle should be "Bippity Boppity Boo".
Weave your magic, coach.
- Julian O'Brien is the editor of the Illawarra Mercury and a self-confessed Hawks tragic
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Julian O'Brien
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury and former editor of The Advocate (North-West Tasmania). Journalism is simply about telling good stories well and we do so now across a broader platform than ever before. Our role as a regional masthead is to not only share the stories our readers care about but to be a passionate torch bearers for community at every opportunity. We are stronger together.
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury and former editor of The Advocate (North-West Tasmania). Journalism is simply about telling good stories well and we do so now across a broader platform than ever before. Our role as a regional masthead is to not only share the stories our readers care about but to be a passionate torch bearers for community at every opportunity. We are stronger together.
