2000/01 | NBL CHAMPIONS

• Post-Season:

  • Won qualifying finals (Perth) 2–1 

  • Won semifinals (Adelaide) 2–1 

  • Won NBL finals (Townsville) 2–1 

• Coach: Brendan Joyce 

• Captain: Mat Campbell, Glen Saville 

• Team MVP: Glen Saville

 

The 2000/01 season will forever stand as the crowning moment in the history of the Wollongong Hawks—a year in which persistence, unity, and belief finally translated into championship glory. After more than two decades of striving, the Hawks etched their name into NBL history by claiming their first-ever title. 

 

Guided by the steady hand of head coach Brendan Joyce and led on the floor by co-captains Glen Saville and Mat Campbell, the Hawks finished the regular season with a 21–7 record, earning fourth spot and a place in the finals. From there, they embarked on a playoff journey that would define the club’s legacy. 

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Their campaign began with a gruelling three-game series against Perth. After winning Game 1 at home, they headed west to a traditionally tough road venue and long considered a hoodoo for the Hawks. and defied history with back-to-back clutch performances, claiming the series 2–1. From there, they flew straight into another daunting away fixture in Adelaide—a city that had offered little joy in years past. 

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The semifinal clash with the 36ers would produce one of the most iconic moments in NBL history. With the series tied 1–1, Game 3 hung in the balance. Trailing by two with seconds remaining, Damon Lowery was fouled while shooting a three. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. In a heart-stopping moment, Lowery sank all three free throws, the third seemingly defying gravity as it hovered before dropping in. The Hawks advanced to the Grand Final—finally. 

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There they met Townsville, and the series was equally dramatic. After splitting the first two games, the decider was set in North Queensland, while back home more than 3,000 fans packed the WIN Entertainment Centre to watch the broadcast on the big screen. In hostile territory, the Hawks held their nerve. Glen Saville once again rose to the occasion—his mix of scoring, rebounding, defence and leadership throughout the playoffs earning him Grand Final MVP honours.

 

Melvin Thomas was equally instrumental, providing crucial interior scoring and veteran composure. 

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Saville had been in rare form all season. One standout came in a New Year’s Eve-eve clash with Sydney, when he dropped 26 points, hauled in 19 rebounds, dished 5 assists and added 3 blocks and a steal—hitting 5-of-6 from deep—in a dominant win that closed out the calendar year and foreshadowed what was to come. 

The championship celebrations were heartfelt and far-reaching. As the team returned to Wollongong, they were met by fans lining the streets from the northern suburbs to the city centre. The homecoming culminated at the WIN Entertainment Centre, where thousands gathered to honour a team that had not only won a title, but also inspired a region. 

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Individual accolades rounded out the story. Saville and Melvin Thomas were both named to the All-NBL Third Team, while rising big man Axel Dench capped a breakout year by claiming NBL Rookie of the Year. But this was more than a season of stats—it was the story of a club that had fought for its survival just two years earlier, now standing atop the league. 

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The 2000/01 Wollongong Hawks weren’t just champions. They were the embodiment of resilience, community, and belief—and they remain, to this day, one of the most beloved teams in NBL history. 

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NBL Award Winners:

• NBL Grand Final MVP: Glen Saville 

• All-NBL Third Team: Glen Saville 

• All-NBL Third Team: Melvin Thomas 

• NBL Rookie of the Year: Axel Dench