Next man up: Hawks ready for Perth test

While the Illawarra Hawks’ title defence got off to a rocky start on Saturday, losing their season opener to Tasmania, the club isn’t dwelling too much on the result.

Rather, the champs are turning their attention to Thursday’s trip to Perth to battle the Wildcats.

That will be no small challenge, as the reigning champs will go into that Round 3 clash down on troops, with Davo Hickey (eye) and Jonah Bolden (foot) under injury clouds, and Sam Froling (achilles) out.

But NBL25 championship-winning forward Todd Blanchfield, who was also recently crowned the NBL1 East MVP, is confident the foundation club’s depth will hold them in good stead.

"The majority of players [from last season’s championship squad] have returned, but no matter how many pieces you change, it's always going to have its teething problems early," Blanchfield said in an interview with the Illawarra Mercury.

"I think we're yet to play with our full team. We've still got key pieces out.

"We relied on that next-man-up mentality last year. One of our biggest assets last year was our depth, and I think it's right there again this year.”

One man who the Hawks will have in their lineup though will be three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee, who tallied 32 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in Round 2.

McGee will come up against Wildcats marquee Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, in what looms as an intriguing battle of the big men.

Thursday’s Hungry Jack's NBL26 Round 3 fixture tips off at 9.30pm AEST, broadcast live on ESPN.

Read the full story here >> Next Man Up: Illawarra Hawks rely on depth to bounce back in Perth