NBL EXPERIENCE

Ray Hannett made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks on 2/2/1980. He scored two points in his first game.

Illawarra’s second NBL campaign ushered in a reset on the sideline as national-team assistant Adrian Hurley replaced Joe Farrugia. Hometown floor general Gordie McLeod assumed the captaincy and the Hawk’s returned with an almost identical line up to last season, the only key changes being Kevin Becker, and Ray Hannett replacing Steve Tonkin, and Bruce Andrews.

Illawarra dropped the opener 76–73 at Coburg on 2 February, a night the Giants leaned on Wayne Carroll (20 points) while the Hawks rode Jim Slacke (25 points) and Ted Holcomb (18 points). Ray Hannett (2 points) saw spot minutes off the bench as both teams shot 50% from the floor and Illawarra finished 11-of-14 at the line.

Less than 24 hours later the Hawks flipped the script by upsetting reigning champions St Kilda at Albert Park (74–68), overcoming NBL MVP Rocky Smith (36 points) thanks to big games from Jim Slacke (29 points) and Gordie McLeod (15 points). Ray Hannett (3 points) again saw limited courttime as Illawarra matched the Saints at 50% shooting and went 12-of-20 at the stripe.

That result ignited a six-game surge to 6–1 built on cleaner half-court execution and tougher Snakepit defense, highlighted by West Torrens at home (101–77), a commanding road win at Canberra (78–56), a steal in Newcastle (73–71), a Beaton Park follow-up against Canberra (72–65), and a one-point escape at Bankstown (83–82) before momentum paused with a 101–83 home loss to St Kilda on 2 March.

From here, Illawarra’s season was an up and down affair, this included a 101–98 home thriller over Newcastle only to then suffer a heavy loss to West Adelaide (68-104), plus a one-point heartbreaker when Nunawading edged Illawarra at Beaton Park (88–89) that tightened an already congested finals race.

The run home turned cruel as Illawarra dropped three straight—first to West Adelaide 95–85 at the Snakepit, then to Brisbane 87–80, and finally a one-point stinger against Launceston 80–79, where Curtis Coleman (31 points) and Cliff Martin (20 points) combined for 51 points to eliminate the Hawks’ playoff hopes.

Illawarra, without captain Gordie McLeod, drew most of its production from Jim Slacke (24 points), Kevin Becker (16 points), Jim Williams (13 points), and Ray Hannett (9 points) in that final game.

Jim Slacke (22.6 points, 87.2% FT across 22 games) led the team in scoring and the league in free-throw percentage. Kevin Becker (16.3 points across 22 games) provided additional scoring, while Gordie McLeod (13 points across 19 games) controlled the offence, and Ray Hannett (7.4 points across 22 games) supplied reliable two-way minutes off the bench in his first year with the Hawks. Illawarra closed 13–9 and sixth on a 12-team table—one win short of a four-team semi-final berth.

1981
After narrowly missing the club’s first finals berth, coach Adrian Hurley departed and inaugural mentor Joe Farrugia returned. Off-season exits Kevin Becker, Ted Holcomb and retiring stalwart Bob Kubbinga were replaced by import duo Michael Jones and Benny Lewis, with local teen Tim Morrissey also being added to the roster. The other major change was the full move into Beaton Park Stadium—quickly nicknamed “The Snakepit.”

A statement preseason scalp over touring European powerhouse Partizan set an optimistic tone before the real thing tipped off with a road defeat at Newcastle (73–93). Jones (25 points) and Lewis (24 points) were impressive in their debuts, while the Falcons were led by Carl Whitfield (26 points) as both teams shot 50% from the floor and Newcastle edged the stripe 9-of-10 to 5-of-6.

Hannett would miss the start of the season, joining the team in March, for their match-up against Launceston. While Jones (32 points) and Lewis (27 points) again led the scoring, Hannett (7 points) made a number of key players in what would be a major upset less to the Tigers (91–104). This loss was followed by a bruising South Australian back-to-back—West Adelaide by 38 (66–104) and a narrow loss to Forestville (88–94) 24 hours later. Jones (43 points, 9-of-9 FT) erupted for his season high in the Forestville defeat while Reg Biddings (29 points) paced the Eagles.

Hannett’s best game this seascon would come in the Hawks win over West Adelaide (108–91). Hannett (22 points) would pair with Michael Jones (42 points) to upset the Bearcats. The Hawks final month saw four of their last five being played at home. Illawarra beat Brisbane (90–80), then took ladder-leaders St Kilda to the wire (100–102) in one of the season’s best Snakepit showcases. The Hawks closed their home slate with clutch wins over Coburg (87–85) and Bankstown (98–86) before finishing with a road loss at Brisbane (69–82). In that finale, Jones (21 points) and Lewis (16) led Illawarra, Hannett (6 points) shot 3-of-6 shooting in the final game of the season.

Illawarra were almost untouchable at home (8–3) but struggled mightily on the road (1–10), finishing 9th of 12 with a 9–13 record. Michael Jones (30.5 ppg across 22 games) led the league in free-throw percentage (87.6%) and was crowned NBL MVP—remarkably without an All-NBL First Team nod. Benny Lewis (20.5 ppg) provided a constant second punch, while veteran Jim Slacke (12.7 ppg) supplied timely shot-making. Ray Hannett (8.4 points) appeared in 15 games, offering size, boards and a dependable mid-range option that balanced the Hawks’ perimeter-heavy attack.

1982
Illawarra entered 1982 under new coach Tom Pottinger, returning most of the previous year’s roster apart from Benny Lewis and Alan Yates. The additions of American forward Alonzo Weatherly and young guard Rhys Bennett added fresh depth to a core led by captain Gordie McLeod, MVP Michael Jones, and veterans Jim Slacke and Ray Hannett. Bennett, a rookie contributor, provided energy and defensive effort across limited minutes in his first NBL season.

The Hawks began with promise, opening with a 98–91 win over Launceston Casino City before a narrow 87–88 loss to Adelaide City. Though dominant at home (8–5), they faltered on the road, winning only three of thirteen away games. Their inconsistency in close contests proved costly in the push for a playoff berth.

April produced Illawarra’s finest stretch of basketball. The Hawks won four straight, highlighted by a 125–103 victory over Westate and a 106–83 rout of Nunawading — their biggest win of the year. Jones (23.9 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Weatherly (23.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) powered the attack, with McLeod (10.3 points, 4.5 assists) directing play and Slacke (16.8 points, 5 rebounds) steady from mid-range. Bennett contributed in short bursts during this run, offering hustle and support off the bench.

Illawarra closed the season 11–15 and ninth overall, strong at the Snakepit but unable to replicate it on the road. Bennett (0.9 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.1 assists across 10 games) showed glimpses of promise in limited action, rounding out a roster built on veteran experience and import firepower.

Ray Hannett played three seasons the Illawarra Hawks. He averaged 7.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 63 NBL games.