BIO: Mason Peatling was born in Melbourne (VIC) where he attended Beaconhills College. He first began playing basketball as a junior with the Dandenong Rangers, and represented his state multiple times at the Australian Junior Basketball Championships, before being recruited to Eastern Washington Eagles in 2015.

Be it as a starter or off the bench, Peatling carved himself a reputation as a enforcer within the NBL. A player who could impact the game at both ends of the floor.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Mason Peatling made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 23 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.

After finishing fourth with a 15-13 record and losing its semifinal series to Sydney the previous season, Melbourne reshaped its roster after multiple seasons trying to get import Casey Prather back onto the court, with United and Prather (released) mutually agreeing to terminate the second season of his contract. Coach Dean Vickerman added Jack White (via Duke University), Yudai Baba (via Texas Legends) and Scotty Hopson (via Oklahoma City Blue), with Baba signing a one-year NBL Special Restricted Player contract, while captain Chris Goulding re-signed on a three-year deal, David Barlow on a one-year deal and Sam McDaniel on a one-year deal. Australian Boomers forward Jock Landale (via Žalgiris) completed the roster on a one-year deal after his planned NBA move did not eventuate and Melbourne negotiated a buyout of his remaining Lithuanian contract.

Melbourne opened the season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 15, where Peatling (1 point and 1 rebound) made his NBL debut in 6:40 off the bench as United defeated Adelaide 89-65. Lual-Acuil (16 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Goulding (16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Melbourne, while Johnson (27 points and 5 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best.

Peatling (5.9 points and 4 rebounds across 39 games) had signed a three-year deal as a development player after completing his college career at Eastern Washington, with the deal eventually seeing him earn a full roster position for his second and third seasons. He quickly established himself within Melbourne’s rotation through his hustle and energy, earning the nickname “Workhorse”, or “Horse”, from his teammates. “I wanted my teammates to have confidence in me that I could help turn the game our way.” said Peatling.

Peatling was not reported with an injury during NBL21. He appeared in 39 of Melbourne’s 42 games, with his three non-appearances coming on January 25, February 5 and February 7 while he remained a development player, with no injury listed as the reason. His opportunity increased as injuries hit United’s frontcourt, with White (9.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks across 11 games) fracturing and dislocating the small finger on his right hand against Adelaide on February 25 and undergoing surgery before returning on March 27. Six days later White ruptured his Achilles against Cairns, ending his season and requiring around 12 months rehabilitation, with former United big man David Andersen (1.3 points across 6 games) signed as an injury replacement.

Peatling (5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) received the first start of his NBL career against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on March 21 as Melbourne snapped a four-game losing streak with a 75-65 win. Landale (19 points and 8 rebounds) and Goulding (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led United, while Jessup (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Peatling (12 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) matched his season-high scoring total and recorded his first NBL double-double against Cairns on May 31 as Melbourne won 101-76 after the home game was relocated to Sydney because of Victoria’s lockdown. Landale (19 points and 7 rebounds) and Hopson (18 points and 5 assists) led United, while Djeric (16 points) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Landale (16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 41 games) led Melbourne in scoring and was named to the All-NBL First Team, while Goulding (15.7 points across 36 games), Hopson (11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds across 34 games), McCarron (9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 42 games), Lual-Acuil (9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 41 games), Baba (7.8 points across 36 games) and Ili (6.6 points across 34 games) gave United one of the league’s deepest rotations. Goulding and McCarron were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Lual-Acuil was named the NBL’s Best Sixth Man.

Melbourne’s final regular-season game was relocated from Victoria to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on June 6, where Peatling (8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) helped United defeat Adelaide 102-80. Hopson (19 points) and Landale (19 points and 9 rebounds) led Melbourne, while Crocker (27 points and 5 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best as United finished first with a 28-8 record, three games clear at the top of the ladder.

Victorian rivals South East Melbourne awaited in the semifinals, with Victoria’s lockdown forcing all three games to be played at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. Melbourne opened the series with a 96-78 win as Peatling (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal), Landale (26 points) and Hopson (22 points and 3 assists) led United, while Moore (17 points and 3 rebounds) and Creek (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) were South East Melbourne’s best.

Peatling’s best game of the season came in game two, finishing with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, but South East Melbourne defeated United 90-79 behind Sykes (26 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Creek (26 points and 4 rebounds) and Wetzell (20 points and 8 rebounds). Hopson (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Goulding (14 points and 3 rebounds) and Lual-Acuil (11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne as the Phoenix forced a deciding game three.

Melbourne fell behind 32-15 early in the second quarter of game three before its defence locked in, holding South East Melbourne to 42 points the rest of the night while scoring 69 themselves. Peatling (4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) remained in the starting lineup, while Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) shot 11-13 from the field and 3/3 from beyond the arc, Goulding (14 points and 2 steals) played his 350th NBL game and McCarron (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped United win 84-74 and advance to the Grand Final. Te Rangi (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals), Creek (19 points and 9 rebounds) and Sykes (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Phoenix.

Western Australia’s border restrictions meant Perth, despite being the lower seed, hosted the first two games of the Grand Final series at RAC Arena, with the Wildcats without injured league MVP Cotton (23.5 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals across 32 games). Peatling (4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) started game one and became the first development player to start in an NBL Grand Final series game as Melbourne held on for a 73-70 win. Goulding (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Landale (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led United, while Blanchfield (27 points and 7 rebounds), Kevin White (10 points and 5 rebounds) and Mooney (8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) led Perth.

Game two remained at RAC Arena, where Peatling (0 points and 2 rebounds) again started as Goulding (21 points), Baba (15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Landale (12 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped Melbourne defeat Perth 83-74 and take a 2-0 series lead. Mooney (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists), Blanchfield (13 points and 8 rebounds), Norton (12 points) and Kevin White (12 points) led the Wildcats.

Melbourne returned home for game three in front of a sold-out crowd capped at 5,000 under COVID restrictions at John Cain Arena. After Perth took the lead early in the third quarter, Peatling (12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) scored twice inside, blocked a shot at the other end and then made a three-pointer during a dominant two-minute stretch that helped United regain control. Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks), Goulding (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Hopson (12 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped Melbourne defeat Perth 81-76 to complete the 3-0 sweep, while Kevin White (14 points), Mooney (14 points and 13 rebounds) and Blanchfield (11 points and 11 rebounds) led the Wildcats. Melbourne claimed the franchise’s sixth championship and its second under the United branding, with Landale named Finals MVP.

2021/22
After winning the 2021 championship, Melbourne entered the new season without leading scorer Jock Landale (to San Antonio), starting point guard Mitch McCarron (to Adelaide) and import Scotty Hopson. Dean Vickerman retained Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, David Barlow and Shea Ili, welcomed Jack White back after recovering from a ruptured Achilles and added Matthew Dellavedova (via Cleveland), Brad Newley (via Sydney), Dion Prewster (via Wellington), Caleb Agada (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Callum Dalton (via Brisbane) and Next Star Ariel Hukporti (via Nevėžis).

Mason Peatling entered the second season of the three-year deal he signed as a development player, earning a full roster place after becoming the first development player to start an NBL Grand Final series game during Melbourne’s championship run. “I wanted my teammates to have confidence in me that I could help turn the game our way,” Peatling said.

Melbourne opened the season at Qudos Bank Arena on December 5 without injured captain Chris Goulding, with Peatling (9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) starting and grabbing five offensive rebounds, including a put-back during the final minute that reduced Sydney’s lead to three. Lual-Acuil Jr (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) and Agada (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) also reached double figures, but Jaylen Adams (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Sydney to a 79-74 win.

During Melbourne’s home opener against South East Melbourne on December 12, Peatling (4 points and 5 rebounds) was ejected late in the third quarter after bumping Mitch Creek (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) following his dunk over Dellavedova. Dellavedova (19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (17 points, 4 assists, and 7 blocks) led United, while Zhou Qi (22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 7 blocks) powered the Phoenix to a 94-86 win. Peatling was charged with unduly rough play and engaging in a melee, accepting a one-game suspension and $375 fine with an early guilty plea after initially facing a two-game suspension and $500 fine.

Peatling (4 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) missed Melbourne’s December 16 victory over Sydney while serving the suspension before appearing in every remaining game. He played 27 regular-season games and all three semifinals, made three starts and did not miss a game through injury. United recovered from its 0-2 beginning with three consecutive wins to close December, went 5-1 during a January played entirely away from home and won four of five games in February to sit first with a 12-4 record.

Peatling’s best game came against New Zealand at MyState Bank Arena on January 14, where Peatling (6 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) grabbed six offensive rebounds and helped Melbourne defeat the Breakers 89-78 for its fifth consecutive win. Goulding (23 points) became the second active player to reach 5,000 NBL points, while Lual-Acuil Jr (22 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks) controlled the paint and Jeremiah Martin (20 points) led New Zealand.

Peatling first reached his season-high scoring total at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 22, finishing with 11 points and 3 rebounds as Melbourne defeated Adelaide 97-78 and extended its winning streak to seven games. Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Goulding (18 points and 2 steals) led United, while Cameron Bairstow (18 points and 8 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best.

After Dalton (1.3 points across 6 games) suffered a season-ending ACL tear during training, Melbourne brought back Yudai Baba (3.9 points across 10 games; via Texas Legends) for the remainder of the season.

Lual-Acuil Jr (16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks across 30 games) led Melbourne in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, finished third in league MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team honours and was named United’s club MVP. Goulding (15.1 points across 28 games) and Dellavedova (10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 30 games) were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Agada (12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games), White (9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds across 26 games), Ili (8.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 31 games) and Hukporti (6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 30 games) completed Melbourne’s main rotation. Ili won the NBL Best Sixth Man award and received United’s Defensive Player of the Year and SHARE awards.

Melbourne closed the regular season at MyState Bank Arena on April 23, where Peatling (0 points and 2 rebounds) started alongside Agada (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks), but MiKyle McIntosh (20 points and 2 steals) led Tasmania to an 83-61 win. Melbourne finished first with a 20-8 record.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at John Cain Arena with a 74-63 win over Tasmania, with Peatling (3 points) playing six minutes as Agada (16 points and 7 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks) and Dellavedova (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) led United, while Josh Adams (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (15 points and 4 rebounds) led the JackJumpers.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Peatling (0 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) played seven minutes as Goulding (18 points), Agada (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Lual-Acuil Jr (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks) led Melbourne. McVeigh (15 points), McIntosh (13 points) and Josh Magette (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals) helped Tasmania win 79-72 and force a deciding game.

Goulding injured his calf during warm-ups and was ruled out shortly before game three at John Cain Arena, where Peatling (2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 11 minutes. Ili (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Lual-Acuil Jr (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and White (14 points and 15 rebounds) led Melbourne, while Adams (30 points), McVeigh (16 points) and Magette (9 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) carried Tasmania as United made six of 29 three-pointers and the JackJumpers won 76-73.

2022/23
Melbourne entered NBL23 after finishing the previous regular season first with a 20-8 record before losing the deciding semifinal against Tasmania without injured captain Chris Goulding. Jo Lual-Acuil (to China) departed during the off-season, while contracted starters Matthew Dellavedova (to Sacramento) and Jack White (to Denver) received late NBA opportunities, leaving coach Dean Vickerman scrambling to rebuild after most available players had already signed. Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker and Jordan Caroline were added, while David Barlow returned after initially announcing his retirement.

Mason Peatling entered the final season of the three-year deal he had signed as a development player in 2020, having earned a full roster position for the second and third years of the contract. He underwent surgery on his right knee during the off-season and missed Melbourne’s opening 10 games while recovering, with Next Star Ariel Hukporti also ruled out for the entire season after rupturing his Achilles during the NBL Blitz.

Melbourne released Caroline (5.5 points and 6.2 rebounds across 6 games) during November after he struggled to establish himself as an undersized centre and signed Marcus Lee (8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 17 games) for the remainder of the season, giving United another recognised big man alongside Humphries.

Peatling returned against Adelaide at John Cain Arena on November 17, finishing with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block from the bench, but Melbourne lost 91-86 despite Tucker (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Rathan-Mayes (15 points and 4 rebounds) leading United, while Robert Franks (21 points and 11 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best. “It felt awesome playing in front of the fans again… I’m really glad to be a part of it again,” Peatling said after missing the first six rounds.

Peatling (5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) appeared in every remaining game after returning and moved into the starting lineup for Melbourne’s final 10 fixtures. His rebounding, physical defence and willingness to make effort plays helped United improve after falling to 5-10 during a five-game losing streak.

His best game came against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on December 18, where Peatling (19 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made eight of nine shots, including both three-point attempts, during his first start of the season as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 88-77. Goulding (25 points and 3 rebounds) and Humphries (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support, while Michael Frazier II (27 points and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s best. The career-high performance helped United win for the third time in four games, with Vickerman describing Peatling’s effort as “just an unbelievable game.”

Tucker (18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Goulding (17.1 points across 27 games) led Melbourne offensively, while Rathan-Mayes (14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 28 games), Humphries (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 23 games) and Shea Ili (8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 14 games) were the other major contributors alongside Lee and Peatling. Goulding received All-NBL Second Team honours and Melbourne’s Most Valuable Player award, while Lee was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year. Humphries also publicly came out as gay during the season, with Melbourne helping introduce the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round.

Peatling’s late-season form earned him his first Australian Boomers selection for the February World Cup qualifying window, where he made his international debut against Bahrain and Kazakhstan. With his three-year Melbourne contract expiring, he later signed a two-year deal with Illawarra for NBL24.

Melbourne entered its final game needing to defeat Adelaide and receive a favourable result from Sydney’s game against Perth to qualify for the play-in tournament. Peatling (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists), Tucker (31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) and Goulding (23 points and 2 steals) helped United defeat the 36ers 116-107 before 10,175 fans at John Cain Arena on February 5, while Antonius Cleveland (30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best. Perth then defeated Sydney 96-84 to claim sixth place on points percentage, leaving Melbourne seventh with a 15-13 record.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2023/24
After injuries contributed to the worst season in club history, Illawarra entered Jacob Jackomas’ second year as head coach looking to recover from a 3-25 campaign. Tim Coenraad and Kevin White retired, while Akoldah Gak (to Cairns), Mangok Mathiang (to New Zealand), Alex Mudronja (to Cairns), Michael Frazier II, Peyton Siva, Lachie Dent and Deng Deng departed. Captain Sam Froling, Tyler Harvey, Justin Robinson, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Daniel Grida and Harry Morris returned, while Jackomas added Todd Blanchfield (via Perth), Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Lachlan Olbrich (via UC Riverside), Hyunjung Lee (via Santa Cruz), AJ Johnson (via Southern California Academy), Gary Clark (via Mexico City) and Luca Yates (via NCAA).

Peatling joined Illawarra on a two-year deal after 87 games and three seasons with Melbourne United, including its 2021 championship. Hawks GM of Basketball Mat Campbell said, “The power forward position is crucial in this league, and Mason was one of the first names we identified when free agency began. Mason’s a competitor and a winner, and his best basketball is ahead of him. His skill set meets our roster’s needs, and we are excited to add him to our young and developing front line.”

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Peatling (0 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 11:56 off the bench in his first game for the Hawks, but the Kings won 96-81. Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) and Grida (14 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Kouat Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Peatling (3.2 points across 27 games) provided a physical frontcourt option behind Froling and Clark, but his introduction to Illawarra was interrupted by a fractured cheekbone suffered after an accidental collision with a teammate during Round 2. The injury kept him out until November, with Peatling returning against Cairns after missing six games.

Peatling’s best regular-season scoring game came against South East Melbourne on December 16, where Peatling (11 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made four of five shots and all three free throws in 19:06 as Illawarra defeated the Phoenix 100-72. Harvey (25 points and 5 rebounds) and Froling (16 points and 6 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Alan Williams (17 points and 12 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s best.

Illawarra held a 2-7 record when Jackomas and the club parted ways in November, with assistant Justin Tatum promoted to interim head coach and leading the Hawks to four wins from their next six games. Grida (5.2 points across 10 games) was sidelined by a knee injury, while Kyle Adnam (1 point across 3 games) joined from South East Melbourne as an injury replacement. Peatling remained part of the frontcourt rotation throughout the coaching change, supplying rebounding, defence and relief minutes from the bench.

The Hawks closed the regular season at John Cain Arena on February 18, where Peatling (8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made all four field-goal attempts in 14:37, but Melbourne won 92-87. Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) and Harvey (13 points) led Illawarra, while Chris Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Melbourne’s leading scorer as the Hawks finished fourth with a 14-14 record.

Clark (17 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) led Illawarra in scoring, won the club MVP award and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Froling (15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) received the NBL Next Generation Award. Harvey (15.1 points across 33 games), Robinson (12 points and 4.4 assists across 33 games), Lee (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 32 games), Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points across 32 games) and Hickey (5.2 points across 25 games) were the other main contributors. Swaka Lo Buluk was named the Hawks’ Defensive Player of the Year, while Grida received the Players’ Player and Community awards as Illawarra improved from 80.8 to 91.6 points per game.

Illawarra opened the postseason against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena, where Peatling (0 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 8:37 off the bench as the JackJumpers won 92-76. Clark (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) and Harvey (15 points) led the Hawks, while Jack McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Will Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) controlled the game for Tasmania.

The Hawks returned to the WIN Entertainment Centre for an elimination game against New Zealand, where Peatling (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 11:12 as Illawarra won 88-85 behind Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds). Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Zylan Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) led the Breakers before Illawarra advanced to the semifinals.

Peatling’s best all-round game came in the semifinal opener at John Cain Arena, where Peatling (6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) played 17:57 as Illawarra built a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. Froling (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Matthew Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Luke Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) powered Melbourne’s comeback before United won 115-106 in overtime.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Peatling (2 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 6:45 as Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points), Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra. Hickey scored after Clark’s missed shot as regulation expired to force overtime before the Hawks won 113-108, while Dellavedova (20 points and 8 assists), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Ian Clark (17 points) led Melbourne.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Froling (23 points and 4 rebounds), Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Clark (14 points and 6 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Shea Ili (22 points), Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) and Goulding (14 points) carried Melbourne to a 100-94 victory and ended the Hawks’ season one game short of the Grand Final. Peatling (0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 12:06 minutes in the loss.

2024/25
After reaching the semifinals the previous season, Illawarra entered Justin Tatum’s first full campaign without Gary Clark (to Yokohama), Justin Robinson (to Trapani), AJ Johnson (to Milwaukee), Kyle Adnam (to Cairns) and Biwali Bayles (to Nyon). Mason Peatling returned alongside Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Hyunjung Lee, Lachlan Olbrich, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida, while Tatum added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide), Darius Days (via Winnipeg), Zac Triplett (via Melbourne) and Brad Ballinger (via Illawarra NBL1).

Peatling entered the final season of the two-year deal he signed with Illawarra in 2023, having previously won the 2021 championship with Melbourne.

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on September 21 with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where Peatling (2 rebounds and 1 assist) played four minutes off the bench as Days (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Hawks, while Tanner Groves (19 points and 7 rebounds) was Cairns’ best.

Peatling (5 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games) began the campaign at the end of Tatum’s rotation before moving into the starting lineup against New Zealand on November 28. The change allowed Days to strengthen the second unit and helped provide greater balance across Illawarra’s frontcourt, with the Hawks’ season clicking into gear after Peatling entered the starting five.

His first major performance as a starter came in Perth on December 6, where Peatling (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) shot 6-of-8 from the field as Illawarra defeated the Wildcats 121-111. Kell (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Froling (17 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (40 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth.

Peatling’s best game came against Brisbane on January 20, where he shot 7-of-8 from the field and finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds as Illawarra dismantled the Bullets 121-87. After Brisbane reduced the margin to four points during the second quarter, Peatling scored seven points during a 13-0 response and added Illawarra’s final four points before half-time, with Froling (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) helping the Hawks record 37 assists, while Keandre Cook (19 points and 8 rebounds) led Brisbane. Tatum said, “A sense of urgency was one thing we wanted to play with.”

Kobe McDowell-White (via Sunshine Coast) joined the Hawks as a development player in October, while Kuany Kuany (via VCU) was added as a nominated replacement player in November.

Harvey (17.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) and Kell (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) led Illawarra’s offence, with Froling (14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds), Days (11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Hickey (8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), Olbrich (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (7.8 points) and Lee (7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds) forming the league’s deepest rotation. Peatling received Illawarra’s Players’ Player Award, while Tatum earned the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as NBL Coach of the Year, Harvey and Kell were selected to the All-NBL First Team and Froling earned All-NBL Second Team honours. The Hawks finished first with a 20-9 record and secured the first regular-season championship in club history.

Illawarra opened the semifinals at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 101-94 win over South East Melbourne, taking control with a 32-12 third quarter behind Kell (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds), while Peatling (3 points and 2 assists) started for the Hawks. Joe Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Nathan Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix.

Game two moved to the State Basketball Centre, where Peatling (8 points and 6 rebounds), Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, but South East Melbourne levelled the series with a 101-94 win behind Matt Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists).

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Peatling (5 points, 1 assist, and 1 block) contributed off the bench as Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Blanchfield (28 points and 4 rebounds) and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) powered Illawarra to a 126-96 win, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (13 points and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Peatling (4 rebounds and 1 block) started alongside Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds), but Matthew Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Chris Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne to a 96-88 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Peatling (1 steal and 1 block) contributed as Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led Illawarra to a 102-100 win, while Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points and 4 assists) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne before Harvey made the winning three-pointer with six seconds remaining.

Melbourne regained control in game three with an 83-77 road win behind Jack White (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), Clark (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dellavedova (16 points and 11 assists), while Peatling (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists), Hickey (12 points) and Days (11 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra. Kell suffered a knee injury late in the game and was ruled out of game four.

Facing elimination at John Cain Arena, Peatling (7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided important frontcourt minutes as Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Harvey (12 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra to an 80-71 win, while Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne. Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) ruptured his Achilles during the second quarter, leaving the Hawks without their starting centre for the deciding game.

Game five returned to Wollongong, where Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists), Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) led Illawarra, while Goulding (21 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Shea Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and White (17 points and 7 rebounds) were Melbourne’s best. Dellavedova (5 points and 7 assists) was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy before handing it to Hickey, while Peatling (3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) started in place of Froling as Illawarra won 114-104, completed the series 3-2 and delivered him his second NBL championship.

2025/26After defeating Melbourne in five games to win its first championship in 24 years, Illawarra entered NBL26 as defending champions under coach Justin Tatum. Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San-en), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki) departed, while Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida returned from the championship roster. Tatum added JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta), Harry Froling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay) and Johny Narkle (via Geraldton), with Sam Froling unavailable while recovering from the Achilles injury suffered during the previous Championship Series.

Fresh from winning his second NBL championship, the 28-year-old re-signed with Illawarra on a two-year deal in April 2025, keeping him with the Hawks through NBL27. The club viewed him as an elite connector whose professionalism, work ethic and ability to lead by example made him an important part of its attempt to win consecutive titles.

Illawarra raised its championship banner at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Peatling (2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) started, but Tasmania defeated the Hawks 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra, while Bryce Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Tasmania’s best.

Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 33 games) appeared in every game and made 21 starts, producing career-high averages in scoring, rebounding and assists while remaining a dependable frontcourt connector. He moved between the starting lineup and bench as injuries changed Illawarra’s frontcourt rotation.

His best scoring game came at the State Basketball Centre on January 8, where Peatling (15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made seven of eight shots, but South East Melbourne defeated Illawarra 124-113 in overtime. Froling (22 points and 9 rebounds) and Peterson (22 points) led the Hawks, while Nathan Sobey (37 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) dominated the extra period.

His best all-round game came against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 13, where Peatling (11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) almost produced a double-double, but the Kings defeated Illawarra 120-94 and ended the Hawks’ remaining finals hopes. Harvey (16 points and 5 assists) and Froling (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) were Illawarra’s other leading performers, while Kendric Davis (24 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) led Sydney.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released after Illawarra’s 0-3 start, with Quentin Peterson (via Xinjiang) signed as his replacement. Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 26 games) became the team’s third-leading scorer, while Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the FIBA break and Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) returned on Christmas night after missing the opening 18 games. Peatling remained an important part of the frontcourt rotation throughout the changes.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 31 games) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists across 31 games) led Illawarra’s offence, with Peterson, Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 27 games), Froling, Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points across 33 games), Grida (6.3 points across 29 games) and Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 32 games) the other main contributors. McGee was named club MVP, Grida received the Players’ Player and Most Improved Player awards, Swaka Lo Buluk was named Defensive Player of the Year and Peatling received the Coaches’ Award.

Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record and closed the season at MyState Bank Arena on February 18, where Peatling (9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) came off the bench as Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Peterson (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Josh Bannan (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s best as Illawarra defeated the JackJumpers 103-70.

Mason Peatling currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 175 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1 assists since entering the league in 2021.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)