Campbell To Bolster Defence

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday November 20, 2007

Basketball with Tim Keeble

THE Hawks believe injured captain Mat Campbell will strengthen their shoddy defence when he makes his expected return for the December 30 home clash with Gold Coast.

Campbell has sat out seven games with an Achilles injury and Wollongong are 2-5 in his absence.

As much as they are missing his reliable perimeter shooting, the Hawks are counting on Campbell's defence and leadership to jolt them out of a five-game losing streak and revive their fading play-off hopes.

"When Matty comes back he brings so much to us at both ends of the floor," Wollongong centre Cam Tragardh said.

"He's a great shooter but he's a hell of a defender too, and he'll lift our defensive intensity, which is much-needed. He won't put up with the crap we did (against Perth), and neither will (Hawks coach) Eric (Cooks). We've got to lift it up, and we will."

No games are scheduled for Wollongong this weekend.

Their next outing is against the Blaze, who are under the guidance of former Hawks coach Brendan Joyce in their maiden season.

Gold Coast climbed to sixth spot with Sunday night's 11-point home win over West Sydney.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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