[nomisg]

The Wollongong Hawks have been the fairytale story of the 2009/10 NBL campaign. This time last year we where all saying goodbye to the Hawks, but from the ashes has come a team that has shocked everyone and until they were hit by injuries were considered real favourites to win the championship. They also have a rich white knight who has put a cash bonus on the table if they can win the championship.

The Townsville Crocs are a team that has almost gone under the Radar this season. They have the best collection of NBL characters in Corey (Homicide)Williams and Russell Hinder and they always leave it all out on the court. If they can win game 1 in Wollongong they will be confident in closing out the series as the Hawks away record this year has not been good.

[Agent 15]

What a matchup this is going to be... I think its going to be close but at the same time I think Homicide is going to erupt in the finals especially in game 1 and is going to deliver a big blow to the Hawks home court advantage.

I know the Hawks were the best team in the NBL this season in regards to home games, but finals is a different ballgame... I think Crocs are going to be too good.

[South01]

I think it will go to three games and Hawks will win both at home,Hawks always have a bad game in between a good 2 if that makes sense so its good to get a home court advantage,better coaching and utalising the strengths of players will beat the better skilled Crocs,its just like Gorjian did with Dragons.

[Agent 15]

south01, on 16 February 2010 - 10:19 AM, said:

I think it will go to three games and Hawks will win both at home,Hawks always have a bad game in between a good 2 if that makes sense so its good to get a home court advantage,better coaching and utalising the strengths of players will beat the better skilled Crocs,its just like Gorjian did with Dragons.

I hope your right buddy!

[wasportsfan1]

Im tipping the Hawks for this one!

[nomisg]

Regular season record:

Wollongong – 16-12 (13-1 home, 3-11 away)

Gold Coast – 16-12 (10-4 home, 6-8 away)



Regular season meetings:

24/10/2009 HAWKS 99 defeated CROCODILES 77 at WOLLONGONG

7/11/2009 HAWKS 93 defeated CROCODILES 69 at TOWNSVILLE

20/01/2010 HAWKS 93 defeated CROCODILES 86 at WOLLONGONG

22/01/2010 CROCODILES 73 defeated HAWKS 59 at TOWNSVILLE

Wollongong Hawks win the series 3-1.



Two teams with an identical regular season record and a long playoff history square off in this game. Wollongong and Townsville have met seven times in the finals previously, with Wollongong winning six of those encounters. The Hawks have actually won five straight playoff games against Townsville, including their most recent encounter on 5 March 2005 when Wollongong sealed a 2-0 series victory over the Crocs to advance to the Grand Final series where they were defeated 3-0 by the Sydney Kings. Their most famous encounter in the post-season was back in 2001, when the Hawks clinched their first and only title by defeating Townsville 2-1 in the Grand Final series.

Overall, Wollongong have played 45 playoff games in their history and are 14-31. Townsville have played 28 playoff games and are 12-16. The Crocs have faced the Hawks three times previously in Wollongong during the Finals, but are yet to win a game going 0-3.

This series features the team with the best home court record against the club with the best road record in the NBL. Wollongong went a league-best 13-1 in games at the WIN Entertainment Centre (‘The Sandpit’) this season, while Townsville were 6-8 on the road, also a league-best mark.

Wollongong’s Gordie McLeod is the most experienced coach in the 2010 NBL Finals series, and this will be his 21st playoff game as a coach. He has an 11-9 record currently. Townsville’s Trevor Gleeson has a 4-4 record in the post-season.

In their four meetings during the regular season, Wollongong won the season series 3-1. The Crocs did however defeat the Hawks in their last clash, recording a 73-59 victory on 22 January. Before getting injured, Hawks import Tywain McKee had dominated the Crocs games one and two by averaging 24.5 points. Wollongong still have four other players who averaged double-figure scoring against the Crocs however, led by Cameron Tragardh’s 16.5 points per game. Townsville’s Corey Williams has led the Crocs in scoring against the Hawks this season, averaging 15.0 points per game. Only Drew Williamson has also reached double-figure scoring for the Crocs against the Hawks, averaging 11.8 in four games this season.

The Crocs clearly have the most experienced roster in the 2010 NBL Finals when it comes to playoff games played. The Crocs boast nine players with playoff experience under their belt, including import Rolan Roberts who has never lost in his five playoff appearances thus far (all with the Sydney Kings in 2005, with whom he won a title).



Playoff Games Played – Wollongong

37 - Glen Saville (14 won)

29 - Mat Campbell (10 won)

16 - Luke Martin (12 won)

5 - Tim Behrendorff (2 won)

2 - Larry Davidson (0 won)

2 - Cameron Tragardh (1 won)

1 – Keegan Tudehope (0 won)

Total: 92 games (39 wins)





Playoff Games Played – Townsville

45 - Stephen Hoare (26 won)

27 - Russell Hinder (13 won)

25 - Peter Crawford (10 won)

14 - Brad Williamson (8 won)

14 - Cameron Tovey (7 won)

8 - Jeff Dowdell (3 won)

7 - Michael Cedar (3 won)

6 - Corey Williams (3 won)

5 - Rolan Roberts (5 won)

Total: 151 games (78 wins)





Wollongong Playoff Records (Individual)

Scoring – 34 – Twice (Melvin Thomas and Elliot Hatcher)

Rebounding – 18 (Twice), Chuck Harmison and Glen Saville)

Assists – 14 – Gordie McLeod, 22 June 1984, versus Newcastle Falcons

Steals –5 – Twice (Melvin Thomas and Glen Saville)

Blocks – 5 – Melvin Thomas, 3 October 1992, versus North Melbourne Giants



Wollongong Playoff Records (Team)

High points – 113 points, versus the South East Melbourne Magic, 22 September 1995

Low points – 65 – versus Victoria Titans, 19 March 1999



Townsville Playoff Records (Individual)

Scoring – 34- John Rillie, 18 February 2009, versus Perth Wildcats

Rebounding – 18 – Rosell Ellis, 26 February 2009, versus South Dragons

Assists – 11 – Rob Rose, 28 April 2001, versus Wollongong Hawks

Steals – 5 – Twice (Wayne Turner and E.J. Rowland)

Blocks – 5 – Casey Calvary, 2 March 2005, versus Wollongong Hawks



Townsville Playoff Records (Team)

High points – 122 - 8 April 2001 versus Sydney Kings

Low points – 78 – Twice

[JB-]

1st things first South its time to change your avatar for the finals
may i suggest some form of steel worker....

also here is a fun fact south the gongs catch phrase is "gateway to the South..." coincidence? I think not

This game will go down to the wire i think (and hope) but im going out on a limb and tipping the Crocs by 5.
With Corey to shut up and step up after his poor performance in Perh

[South01]

JB-, on 19 February 2010 - 08:53 AM, said:

1st things first South its time to change your avatar for the finals
may i suggest some form of steel worker....

also here is a fun fact south the gongs catch phrase is "gateway to the South..." coincidence? I think not

This game will go down to the wire i think (and hope) but im going out on a limb and tipping the Crocs by 5.
With Corey to shut up and step up after his poor performance in Perh

 funny stats.jpg (76.02K)
Number of downloads: 0

[South01]

should be a top game,Go Hawks..

[South01]

How good was the Hawks game,we were on fire from the get go

[Agent 15]

Not enough dunks, fast breaks, just a lot of three point shots and good D... how boring.

[South01]

Plenty of fast breaks and dunks,lots of ball movement it was pretty to watch.

[Agent 15]

No way man, Smith & Darden used to dunk it 5 times each in a game, that was way better to watch... was just good defense with Hawks v Crocs... Crocs only had 26 points at half time!

[Brent]

i think the hwaks will wrap it up in 2.

[JB-]

SOME ONE SAVE THIS FINALS SERIES BEFORE THE NATION FALLS ASLEEEP.........
christ hurry up both game 2's

[South01]

I think the NBL is just getting boring, the rule changes (fiba) and 10 min quarters lack of talent ...

[Agent 15]

Im loving it

[South01]

Come on Hawks,the town of Wollongong is flooded with posters and streamers in every shop,the players are getting emails and well wishes a plenty as well.

Hope Hawks can pull off the win tonight and get into GF.

[Agent 15]

Would be great for them to make it! I will be cheering them on tonight.

[JB-]

Welcome back to the Wollongong HONEYMOONERS......jeeezus