Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 2 — Hawks/Kings defections and the rivalry grows through the 90’s

  • October 19, 2025
  • Dan Boyce
  • Podcasts
  • 0
  • 757 Views

We continue our deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — looking at the success of both teams during the 1990s.

Host Dan Boyce picks up where Episode 1 left off, bringing in Hawks legend Gordie McLeod to get his throughts on whether his move to Sydney in 1983 was the starting point of the Kings v Hawks rivalry, before moving their the success of both teams during the 1990s

Featuring first-hand accounts from Gordie McLeod, Greg Hubbard, Dwayne McClain, and Bob Turner, this episode continues to blends personal stories of the NBL’s boom period, while continuing to flesh out the history of the Hawks v Kings rivalry season by season.

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

Featuring first-hand stories from Bob Turner, Greg Hubbard and Chuck Harmison, this episode blends history, on-court flashpoints, and off-court theatre to show how the “Freeway Series” became must-watch basketball.

Listen now:

iTunesSpotifyLibsynTuneIn

Podcast Topics include…
  • McLeod on how the feud predates the Kings: state-league roots and the Snakepit lore (02:00)
  • The early Snakepit atmosphere and crowd legends (24:00)
  • 1988–89 Kings v Hawks: Norman Taylor’s 41-point explosion as told by Greg Hubbard (33:30)
  • Dwayne McClain and Bob Turner discuss how they helped turn Sydney into a contender (41:30)
  • The 1993 defection: Greg Hubbard’s first return to Beaton Park in purple and gold (48:30)
  • Why the 1993 Kings imploded — McClary’s exit, McClain’s frustrations, and Bob Turner’s rebuild (52:00)
  • Discovering Leon Trimingham and Mario Donaldson — the new era of the Kings (56:00)
All of this and a whole lot more…
Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Why Newcastle’s NBL Return Is Closer Than You Think

    The conversation around NBL expansion has intensified in recent years, with the league publicly confirming discussions with potential markets such as Canberra, the Gold Coast, and Darwin. However, one city that continues to quietly build momentum as a realistic candidate for a future franchise is Newcastle. While it may not always dominate the expansion headlines, the pieces required for an NBL return are slowly aligning, and according to former owner of the Illawarra Hawks, Dorry Kordahi, the push for a Newcastle team is very real.…

    READ MORE
  • Why Luke Paul Said No to a $3 Million College Bag to Get “Beaten Up” in the NBL

    Most 16-year-olds would take the bag. Luke Paul wants to take a beating. In an era where high school recruits are chasing six-figure Instagram followings and seven-figure NIL deals, Luke Paul just did the unthinkable. The 16-year-old Australian talent is a 6'6" point guard widely tipped as a future NBA lottery pick who reportedly turned down US college offers worth up to $3 million to stay home. He didn't do it for comfort. He didn't do it for safety. According to Paul, he did it…

    READ MORE
  • ‘We need to play good basketball’ – South East Melbourne eye fine-tuning ahead of finals

    With one game remaining in the regular season and finals seeding on the line, South East Melbourne moved a step closer to the top two with a 120–104 win over the Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena. The Phoenix overcame a career-high 36-point outing from Majok Deng, with Angus Glover leading the way with 21 points and seven three-pointers as the home side’s firepower proved too much. Despite the result, coach Josh King said his group still needs to produce a complete four-quarter performance, particularly…

    READ MORE
  • Inclusion Needs Outcomes, Not Pride Rounds

    In recent weeks, NBL Pride Round has been accompanied by a wave of opinion pieces — including Michael Randall’s “Pride Round: Why the NBL should be proud it won’t ever ‘shut up and dribble’” — praising the initiative while dismissing its critics. This has been something I’ve been thinking about and discussing with people since Indigenous Round.I think we all need a little perspective sometimes. https://t.co/2D65bvtS5K — Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) February 3, 2026 But the argument that any criticism of the National Basketball League’s social-issue…

    READ MORE
  • Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 6 — LaMelo Ball, Spy-Gate and ‘The Hawks’ lose their Illawarra name

    We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up as LaMelo Ball and his Rookie of the Year season in 2019 propelled the Hawks into the global spotlight, setting NBL viewership and attendance records, while the Kings reloaded under Will Weaver and pushed for a championship in a season that ended in chaos. Host Dan Boyce breaks down LaMelo’s viral debut, his back-to-back triple-doubles, and the impact of Aaron Brooks’ season-ending injury on Illawarra’s playoff…

    READ MORE
  • Keanu Pinder’s Japanese Stint Could Result In Boomers Selection

    Keanu Pinder has hit a new gear in Japan. As Akita’s starting big, he is producing like a franchise option, and that level of form is putting him back in the Boomers conversation. Pinder is in the midst of a prime career stretch that has seen him exceed the 2 time NBL "Most Improved Player" form that first made him a star in Cairns.The primary storyline defining Pinder’s 2025-26 campaign is a shift in usage. In Perth, Pinder was often a secondary option behind heavy…

    READ MORE
  • NBL Free Agent Tracker

    Below is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…

    READ MORE
  • Japan’s Emergence as a Major Destination for Australian Basketball Talent

    Five to ten years ago, if an Australian headed to Japan, it was typically because of not making NBL roster spots. Players like Venky Jois, Daniel Dillon and Rhys Vague fit this profile. Now Australian basketballers looking to play overseas rarely viewed Japan as a serious career destination. The traditional pathways pointed elsewhere, but that perception has shifted rapidly. Today, Japan’s B.League has emerged as a legitimate and increasingly attractive option for Australian players seeking strong contracts, defined roles, and long-term professional stability.Today, that narrative…

    READ MORE

SEKOLAHTOTO

slot deposit 5000

sekolahtoto

Di balik gemerlap dunia taruhan, SEKOLAHTOTO menghadirkan sensasi bermain di pusat keberuntungan Asia dengan nuansa eksklusi yang memikat.

DAMRILAKU66

sekolahtoto

sekolahtoto

sekolahtoto

sekolahtoto

toto togel