Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 1 — The Origins of the Illawarra v Sydney Rivalry
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
Release Date: 09/27/2025
Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
We continue our deep dive into one of Australian basketball’s greatest rivalries... Sydney versus Illawarra. This episode we continue on through the late 1990s and into the Hawks’ historic 2001 championship run. Host Dan Boyce picks up the rivalry from 1995 onward, exploring the coaching swaps, player defections, and the rise of a new generation of stars — from ’s move to Sydney and ’ breakout in Illawarra, to the emergence of , who would soon become the face of the Hawks. Featuring first-hand accounts from , Shane Heal, , , Bill Tomlinson, , and Glen Saville, this episode covers a...
info_outlineAussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
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 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, , , and , this episode continues to blends personal stories of the NBL's boom period, while continuing to flesh out the history of the Hawks v...
info_outlineAussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast
We crack open one of Aussie hoops’ spiciest grudge matches: Sydney vs Illawarra. Host Dan Boyce traces the rivalry back before the Kings even existed—into state-league days at the Snakepit—then follows it through the 1986 replay controversy, the Kings’ 1988 merger and rise, and the big-city v small-town energy that’s fuelled decades of heat. 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. Topics include: What...
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shares his journey from a standout NCAA career at Cal and NBA aspirations, to becoming one of the most explosive imports in Australian basketball during the mid-2000s. He breaks down the Pirates’ underdog rise in 2004 under Adrian Hurley, his dynamic partnership with Kavossy Franklin, and the unforgettable playoff push that followed. We also revisit his return to the league with New Zealand, a blistering run of form that included multiple 30-point nights before injury struck. Wethers opens up about how the game has evolved since then, what came next after his playing days, and the...
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joins the podcast to reflect on his NBL journey so far, a 2024 championship run with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and what lies ahead in his new chapter with Melbourne United. Krslovic shares stories from his Boomers debut, his time as a junior alongside Ben Simmons and Dante Exum, and how he’s consistently earned his place in the league through grit, defence, and leadership. We also dive into his college days in Montana, his first pro stint in Europe with Phoenix Hagen, and his role in building the JackJumpers’ winning culture from day one. Topics include: 🏀 Playing for the Boomers...
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joins the podcast to reflect on his first season with South East Melbourne, his time with the Boomers, and how he’s building a voice off the court through podcasting, filmmaking, and comedy. for your next set of basketball uniforms. Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring: Australian Basketball Legends: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Current NBL Stars: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Our Finest Coaching Minds: , Barry Barnes, , Adrian Hurley, Adam Forde, , Rob Beveridge, , , , Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, , Will Weaver, NBA Stars Past &...
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joins the podcast to reflect on a 13-year NBL career that took him from Bankstown to Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, and Geelong—appearing in 299 games and carving out a legacy as one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt battlers across the ‘80s and ‘90s. Svaldenis opens up about debuting as a teenager under Robbie Cadee, his breakout years in Hobart under Cal Bruton, and what it was like to be part of the original Sydney Kings merger. We also dig into some of his biggest games, toughest matchups, and the evolution of the NBL through the lens of a blue-collar big man who saw it all....
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joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, three NBL clubs, countless international tournaments, and a stint with the NBA’s Houston Rockets. From his breakout rookie season with Townsville to Olympic campaigns with the Boomers and his late-career leadership role at Melbourne United, Newley shares the highs, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his journey. We dig into his development at the AIS, becoming the first player to ever win NBL Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man in the same season, and his MVP performance at the 2005 NBL All-Star Game....
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joins the podcast to talk through the highs, lows, and wild turns of a pro career that’s taken him from Pittsburgh to the NBA, NBL, China, Puerto Rico, and most recently, India. for your next set of basketball uniforms. Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring: Australian Basketball Legends: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Current NBL Stars: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Our Finest Coaching Minds: , Barry Barnes, , Adrian Hurley, Adam Forde, , Rob Beveridge, , , , Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, , Will Weaver, NBA Stars Past &...
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joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—from Duke University to NBL champion and beyond. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. He shares stories from the heated South Dragons vs. Melbourne Tigers Grand Final, overcoming serious injury setbacks, and making the transition from import to local player in the NBL. Topics include: 🏀 We talk about Sledge Vs, Nick's highly successful action adventure novel (2:00) 🏀...
info_outlineWe crack open one of Aussie hoops’ spiciest grudge matches: Sydney vs Illawarra.
Host Dan Boyce traces the rivalry back before the Kings even existed—into state-league days at the Snakepit—then follows it through the 1986 replay controversy, the Kings’ 1988 merger and rise, and the big-city v small-town energy that’s fuelled decades of heat.
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.
Topics include:
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What this series is and why the rivalry matters (02:00)
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How the feud predates the Kings: state-league roots and the Snakepit lore (04:00)
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The 1986 “replay game” drama and why it still stings (12:00)
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Remembering Robert Scrigni and the emotion of 1987 (20:00)
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The Snakepit as a sixth man: noise, power cuts, and balcony bar tales (23:00)
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Birth of the Kings (’88): merger, marketing, and turning Sydney into a show (37:00)
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Early flashpoints and defections that super-charged the hate (49:30)
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