The Illawarra Hawks have completed a remarkable rags-to-riches transformation to claim the 2025 NBL championship, defeating Melbourne United 114–104 in a gripping game five decider. The victory marks only the second title in the Hawks’ 47-year history—and their first since 2001—capping off a spectacular season for a team that finished bottom of the league just two years ago.
From wooden spooners to champions
The Hawks’ triumph at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong will go down as one of the great underdog stories. Two seasons ago, Illawarra languished at the foot of the ladder, facing financial uncertainty and a roster overhaul. Yet on Sunday, a capacity crowd watched them hold off the perennial powerhouse Melbourne United in the final game of a best-of-five series that saw neither side win on home soil—until now.
Will Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) and Trey Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) delivered standout performances. Hickey set the tone early after stepping into the starting lineup, while Kell overcame a lingering knee issue to seal the Hawks’ first home victory of the finals and the championship. The pair’s combined offensive output proved too much for Melbourne United’s defence to contain, especially in the decisive second half.
“This club has been through a lot,” Hawks coach Brian Goorjian said afterward. “We’ve built from the ground up, and the support of everyone in Wollongong has been incredible. I couldn’t be prouder of the grit our guys showed.”
A tale of two halves
Melbourne United opened the decider with a flurry, connecting on four of their first six three-point attempts to establish a 10-point lead in the opening quarter. Veteran guard Chris Goulding (21 points) and Shea Ili (20 points) combined to keep United in front, while NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova orchestrated plays with seven assists.
The turning point came late in the first period, when Hickey erupted for 12 points, matching United’s firepower shot-for-shot. Then Kell, returning from the injury that sidelined him in game four, drained a jumper to tie the score at 26 apiece. The Hawks carried that momentum into the second quarter, mounting a 12–2 run that saw them move in front for good.
Forward Todd Blanchfield—the NBL’s most-capped active player without a title, entering the game with 441 appearances—nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer that restored a 10-point margin at halftime. From there, Illawarra never trailed, even as Melbourne scrambled to regain a foothold.
Key contributions
With starting centre Sam Froling out injured, the Hawks relied on emerging NBA prospect Lachlan Olbrich (12 points, four rebounds) to anchor the paint. Olbrich responded with a commanding performance, including a highlight-reel block on Ian Clark—another NBA champion—early in the third quarter. This defensive stand sparked a Hawks run that pushed the lead to 13, while United endured a five-minute field-goal drought and looked increasingly desperate.
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“It felt like we couldn’t buy a bucket in that third quarter,” United coach Dean Vickerman remarked. “Our shot selection faltered, and Illawarra’s defence made everything tough.”
Dellavedova uncharacteristically missed both free throws during Melbourne’s scoring woes, and injuries to Marcus Lee and Clark added to United’s problems. Despite 21 points from Goulding and 15 from Clark, the visitors could not contain Kell’s decisive late-game scoring spree. With just over a minute remaining, Kell streaked down the court for a breakaway lay-up that put the Hawks up by 13 and brought the crowd to its feet.
A new chapter in Hawks history
The final buzzer sparked euphoric scenes in Wollongong, as players and fans celebrated the completion of their fairytale run. Once known as the league’s “little brother,” the Hawks defied preseason expectations and overcame adversity to secure the NBL’s ultimate prize.
“This is for our community,” said an emotional Will Hickey. “We’ve been working all season to bring a championship back to Illawarra.”
Melbourne United, meanwhile, end the year with back-to-back heartbreaks—this being their second consecutive 3–2 loss in the grand final series (they also fell to Tasmania in last year’s decider). As the NBL’s perennial heavyweight, they will no doubt return next season determined to reclaim the title.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Illawarra. After 47 years in the league, the foundation club has captured its second championship, rewriting history and inspiring fans across the country with an improbable, unforgettable run to the top.
