“We cheated our fans”: Tatum promises a Hawks revival

After a tough Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season, the Illawarra Hawks are aiming to bounce back in a big way this campaign.

The NBL25 champions finished last season in eighth spot with a 13-20 record, in a disappointing title defence.

But after recently arriving back in Wollongong for his fourth year at the helm, Justin Tatum has promised the club's loyal fans success in NBL27.

"Our guys are really stoked about coming back and showing the Hawks fans that 2024-25 championship-calibre team," Tatum said to Hawks Media.

"[We'll be] fast pace, [make] a lot of threes, go inside to Sam [Froling], [and show] tenacity on the defensive end.

"We just really want to get after it, as we felt we cheated our fans last year with some of our efforts in multiple games.

"But they've seen how we played two years ago, and they're ready for us to get back to it."

The Hawks, who have Tyler Harvey, Froling, Will Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Todd Blanchfield, Dan Grida, Kobe McDowell-White, Johny Narkle, Mason Peatling and Amarco Doyle all signed, will open their 2026-27 campaign on Sunday, September 20 against the New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena.