Campbell, Reyes On The Outer

Illawarra Mercury

Monday October 29, 2007

By TIM KEEBLE

THIS time last week, Wollongong coach Eric Cooks would have bent over backwards to have captain Mat Campbell and new import Angelo Reyes in his side.

The pair is still crucial to the Hawks' finals hopes, but Cooks and his assistant coaches Kevin Brooks and Matt Flinn are feeling a little more comfortable after weekend victories over Perth and West Sydney.

"Mat and Angelo will have to earn their spots in the starting line-up," Cooks said.

"That's our import and our captain, so that's a good position to be in when those guys have to earn it, especially with Cam (Rigby) playing so well in that (power forward) role.

"I'm sure Angelo will help us, because rebounding is still an area that we're up and down with and I think he's going to be one of the better rebounders in the country."

After winning one of their first six games, the Hawks (3-5) have seemingly turned the corner.

They head to Melbourne on Sunday for a date with the South Dragons against former Hawks guard Cortez Groves.

"I talked to them before the game and told them we're going to be underdogs all year," Cooks said. "We haven't achieved what we need to yet, but we can definitely get better.

"We're playing a style of ball we need to play to win games. We need to be physical and push the ball up and get in the lanes.

"We're doing the little things that make us a better team.

"The Dragons are one of those teams we've gotta beat to make the play-offs. We know Cortez can fill it up, but we've got to stick to our game plan."

Rigby said the Hawks are developing a winning formula.

"There's definitely a better vibe and more confidence in the last couple of weeks. But there's still the focus that we can't get ahead of ourselves," the 29-year-old said.

"We've won two in a row and the key is to make it three or four and get some consistency."

West Sydney rookie coach Rob Beveridge said his side's defence was terrible.

"I'm a defence-orientated coach and for us to give up that many points (115) is getting beyond a joke," he said.

"Until we address that we're going to keep giving up points.

"I'm not questioning our effort, I'm questioning our decision-making."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home