7
Sep
Cut to the Jase
Cadee: Sixth man move to propel Hawks back to playoffs
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William Hickey of the Hawks drives at the basket during the 2026 NBL Blitz match between the Illawarra Hawks and Adelaide 36ers at Red Energy Arena on September 03, 2026 in Bendigo, Australia. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images for NBL
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Jason Cadee believes Davo Hickey returning to the bench is a big boost for the Hawks
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Tyler Harvey as an Aussie, Milton Doyle looking like he's back to his best and a full season of Sam Froling.
The Illawarra Hawks have plenty of weapons heading into NBL27 but Jason Cadee believes one of the franchise's most important moves to help them bounce back to title contention is Will 'Davo' Hickey returning to a sixth man role.
It's the role which saw Hickey lead the Hawks to the 2025 NBL championship on top of one of the most sportsmanlike moments in the league's history, when Matthew Dellavedova won series MVP but later handed it to his opponent, saying the Illawarra guard "deserved it".
"Their current roster puts Davo Hickey, in my opinion, back to the sixth man," Cadee, an NBL legend who played 424 games in the league, said on the Cut to the Jase podcast.
"Now he comes in and he changes the game.
"Being the point guard that everyone looks to is a way different challenge than just going in and being an energy guy and doing different things. I think Davo's shone when he gets to just come in and play.
"I think that helps him and it gives him another layer of someone that can bring something different.
"He's still going to play 30 minutes, 25 to 30 minutes, but it gives him a different layer."
Just like his Hawks, Hickey struggled to find his best in NBL26, and there's no secret he didn't form the best partnership with former NBA big man.
But the Hawks boast significantly more firepower heading into this season, headlined by the backcourt of Harvey an Doyle, who appeared to be a seamless fit for coach Justin Tatum's offence at the NBL Blitz - especially after hitting a game-winner to beat the Adelaide 36ers in the team's first game of the tournament in Bendigo.
Bring Hickey's dynamic talents off the bench, alongside microwave Darius Days, and the defensive talents of players such as Daniel Grida and Mason Peatling on top of veteran Todd Blanchfield and Illawarra's roster have a balanced roster to try and return to the playoffs this season.
The Hawks looked impressive at the Blitz, beating Adelaide and almost beating a star-studded Melbourne United team on the event's final day.
