Jackomas cools on wholesale changes

Illawarra head coach Jacob Jackomas has cooled on his promise for change following the Hawks’ Round 6 defeat to Sydney, and says “the worst thing we could do right now is panic”.

The Hawks fell to local rivals Sydney by 20 points on Friday night, and Jackomas was critical of his players’ defensive efforts in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.

Illawarra will travel to Cairns for a Round 7 clash with the Taipans, and Tyler Harvey’s game-winner just a few weeks ago will be fresh in the memory of Hawks fans who are hoping their side can turn things around.

“We’re not going to rush into anything or change who were are off the back of a couple of bad quarters,” Jackomas said. “There will be a little bit of change – there is even in wins – but the worst thing we could do right now is panic.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Are changes on the way for the Hawks? <a href="https://twitter.com/OlgunUluc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlgunUluc</a> has the latest.<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLOvertime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLOvertime</a> on ESPN via Kayo <a href="https://t.co/gv9lV7b7Vl">pic.twitter.com/gv9lV7b7Vl</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1721813016507818436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We’re a couple of wins away from being right there in it again and we’ve got the talent in the group. We’re going on the road right now which might be a little thing to get together, be together and play better basketball together.

“Any team in the league wouldn’t be totally happy with where they’re at right now. We’re trying to get better every day, if the record was the other way around we’d still trying to be getting it and we’d still have the same problems.

“You can dissect it any way you want – we’ve played top five teams, we haven’t played the middle pack yet – or you can dissect it in a positive way – we beat Cairns last time and we should be favourites.

“Right now, we’re trying to keep it as clear as possible to win basketball games, and so these guys go in with a clear head to compete.”

The Hawks currently average the third-fewest points per game of any side in the NBL at 86.1, and have the worst defensive rating in the competition.

They have given up 100 points or more in half their defeats this season, including a 30-point loss to Tasmania.

Star center Sam Froling says the team’s current issues are starting on the defensive end.

“If we knew what the issue was it probably wouldn’t be an issue anymore because we’d have solved it,” Froling said.

“It’s part of the process and we do have a very talented group and the belief is there. We’re going to fix it.

“We’re averaging 100-odd points [against], the defensive rating is not good enough and it’s on us to hold each other accountable and really improve that area, because right now that’s what’s costing us games.”

The Hawks will be bringing in reinforcements for this weekend’s clash with Cairns in the form of ex-Melbourne forward Mason Peatling, who has been sidelined since Round 2 win over South East Melbourne.

“Absolutely, he’ll be playing,” Jackomas said of the 2021 NBL champion. “[He brings] stability, a little bit of an older head even though he’s young, and some leadership. [He’s] a guy who knows how to play a role in the NBL.”

“He’s massive,” Froling added. “He’s so good at knowing his role and doing what he’s good at, and he’ll be a huge addition for us.”

Illawarra plays Cairns on Saturday, November 11 at 5:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.