Preview: Illawarra vs South East Melbourne (Round 2)

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Can Illawarra bounce back to take their first win of the season? The Phoenix will have other ideas.

Saturday, October 7 at 5:30pm AEDT | WIN Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports - International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

Illawarra has had a full week to stew on their season-opening loss to Sydney, and the likes of Lanard Copeland and Damon Lowery have questioned head coach Jacob Jackomas’ rotation strategy in that game.

Jackomas used ten players in the opening quarter against the Kings, and was heavy-handed on his rotations as he searched for a winning formula against the reigning champions.

During that time, South East Melbourne has already added two games to their opening match of the season, and Thursday night’s loss to Cairns could see them enter this game without the services of star injury replacement player Tyler Cook, due to an eye injury.

Early questions could start being asked of the Phoenix should they slump to a 1-3 start to the season, while the Hawks will be desperate to get their first win of the campaign after enduring the horror experience that was NBL23.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Captain Creek keeping Phoenix in it! ?<br><br>? Watch on ESPN ? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/zsxh0MYQjC">pic.twitter.com/zsxh0MYQjC</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1709878581697163600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Illawarra
81-96 loss to Sydney

South East Melbourne
80-87 loss to Cairns
110-99 win over Perth
67-82 loss to Melbourne

Dan Grida

Illawarra needed a spark to pull them back into the game against the Kings, and while that role has been so often played by Tyler Harvey over the past two seasons, cult hero Dan Grida stepped up to the plate to give his side a sniff against the reigning champions in Round 1.

Grida’s injury issues over the past three seasons have been well documented. From serious knee injuries to an untimely hamstring tear last season, one of the most likeable players in the NBL has struggled to actually play during his time in the competition.

He offered a snapshot into his still unreached potential though with 14 points against the Kings and could carve himself a role as the Hawks’ go-to bench guy when the going gets tough.

Regardless of any performance, it was just great to see Grida hit the floor in the opening round of a season.

“I was going to be happy if I put a jersey on tonight. I haven’t started a season in three years so I was just happy to be here, and shots were falling so that’s it.” – Dan Grida following Illawarra’s Round 1 loss to Sydney

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Kings may be leading, but Dan Grida and the <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IllawarraHawks</a> are coming ?<br><br>Catch the final quarter on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/9bPhLaYAdh">pic.twitter.com/9bPhLaYAdh</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1708084173573968382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mitch Creek
Despite his MVP-calibre skillset, there’s no denying Mitch Creek is ready to get down and dirty to try and help his side pull out a win at all costs, and while he couldn’t pull the Phoenix over the line against Cairns on Thursday, he was absolutely the standout performer.

After his opening night struggles against Melbourne Creek has returned his best, however he often cut a frustrated and dejected figure on Thursday night, and aired his frustrations at yet more injury issues for his team post-game.

With a number of leaders likely missing for the Phoenix on Sunday, Creek will once again have to step up to the plate and lead from the front if South East Melbourne is going to add its second win of the season.

“I thought it was a grinding performance from Mitch – and the group. Mitch is leader of the group and I think he led well. I mean, that was ugly and he kept going and fought through some stuff. I loved that part of it, I just didn’t love the finish.” – Mike Kelly following Thursday’s loss to Cairns.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Captain Mitch Creek is our <a href="https://twitter.com/goatbeer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@goatbeer</a> Player of the Game from last night! ?<br><br>He led from the front to keep his team in it with a team-high 2??0?? points and 8?? rebounds. ? <a href="https://t.co/XfUTPvWBST">pic.twitter.com/XfUTPvWBST</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1710059530346701064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sam Froling vs Anzac Rissetto

South East Melbourne is walking wounded at the centre position. No Alan Williams, no Gorjok Gak, Craig Moller returning from illness, and the severity of Tyler Cook’s eye injury currently unknown.

Enter development player Anzac Rissetto.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That'll be a NO from Anzac Rissetto ?<br><br>Stream every pre-season game live and free on the NBL app - <a href="https://t.co/2kInUAigYt">https://t.co/2kInUAigYt</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/xSAROvpf07">pic.twitter.com/xSAROvpf07</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1700445618936701198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Phoenix have big wraps on their emerging Kiwi centre, and rewarded his rookie NBL23 campaign with a two-year deal. The second year of that contract holds a club option to elevate him to the main roster.

The Phoenix ran a small ball lineup after Cook went down against Cairns, however with the one-two punch of Sam Froling and Lachie Olbrich facing them this week, Rissetto will almost surely be called upon to slow down the Hawks’ exciting pair of centres.

Froling himself will be looking to bounce back after enduring a tough game against Sydney in the opening round.

He started the game strongly but faded in and out of proceedings as time went on, and it’s up to him to remind fans as to why he made Australia’s extended World Cup squad this past off-season.

Tyler Harvey has scored 20+ points Illawarra’s past four home games against South East Melbourne. As is so often the case, if the Phoenix can get a handle on Harvey they might get a handle on the Hawks.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tyler Harvey on Family Feud?! Let him cook. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HawkNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HawkNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/YRDYnERF01">pic.twitter.com/YRDYnERF01</a></p>— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1658636595350867969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>