Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 3 — The Race To New South Wales First NBL Championship

We continue our deep dive into one of Australian basketball's greatest rivalries... Sydney versus Illawarra.

This episode we continue on through the late 1990s and into the Hawks' historic 2001 championship run.

Host Dan Boyce picks up the rivalry from 1995 onward, exploring the coaching swaps, player defections, and the rise of a new generation of stars — from Shane Heal's move to Sydney and Marcus Timmons' breakout in Illawarra, to the emergence of Glen Saville, who would soon become the face of the Hawks.

Featuring first-hand accounts from Bob Turner, Shane Heal, Gordie McLeod, Greg Hubbard, Bill Tomlinson, Stephen Jackson, and Glen Saville, this episode covers a turbulent era for both clubs — the Kings' struggles to live up to their star power, and the Hawks' transformation from underdog to champion under Brendan Joyce.

Topics include:

• Alan Black's move from Illawarra to Sydney and the fallout that followed (06:00)

• Shane Heal on leaving Brisbane, joining Sydney, and facing the "Violet Crumbles" stigma (08:00)

• Gordie McLeod on discovering Glen Saville and his early Hawks journey (11:30)

• Marcus Timmons' 30-point debut and Illawarra's rebuild under Brendan Joyce (16:00)

• Stephen Jackson's short but memorable stint with the Kings (20:00)

• Wollongong's rise, the 2001 playoff run, and Damon Lowery's legendary free throws (38:00)

• The Hawks claim NSW's first NBL title — Saville named Finals MVP (40:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring:

• Australian Basketball Legends: Luc Longley,