How to watch & talking points: Melbourne v Illawarra

Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks
Sunday, October 18, 5pm AEDT
John Cain Arena

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How to watch

Watch every NBL27 game live on ESPN.

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Tickets

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How to follow & live scores

Live scores, stats, breaking news and game highlights are available via the free NBL App.

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Rosters

Melbourne

Expected depth chart:
PG: Anthony (IP) / Ili / D'Angelo (DP) / Macdonald (NRP) (out)
SG: Machar / Wilson / Hynes (DP) / Shelley (NRP) / Goulding (out)
SF: Travers / Ingles / Fa'ale (DP)
PF: Waardenburg / Bowen / Bradtke (DP)
C: Oduro (IP) / Krslovic

Illawarra

Expected depth chart:
PG: M.Doyle (IP) / Hickey / Adnam (NRP)
SG: Harvey / Narkle
SF: Swaka Lo Buluk / Grida / Patterson (IP/NRP) / Blanchfield (out)
PF: Martin (IP) / Days (IP) / A.Doyle (DP) / McGregor (DP) / Peatling (out)
C: Froling / Maker / Macdonald (DP)

Missing in action

Melbourne

Chris Goulding - Calf - Round 7
Sean Macdonald - ACL - Season

Illawarra

Todd Blanchfield - Hand - TBC
Mason Peatling - Foot - Season

>> View full injury list

Talking points

The perfect medicine?

The Illawarra Hawks have stumbled out of the starting blocks this season and are anchored at the bottom of the standings through four rounds.

However, if there was any reason to find some added motivation for Justin Tatum’s men, a matchup with Melbourne United could be the perfect medicine.

The rivalry between these two teams has been slowly building over the past two seasons after some intense post-season matchups that were highlighted by the Hawks’ championship win in 2025.

Travers the key

Luke Travers has had a slow individual start to the season by his lofty standards, but his most recent performance in the Throwdown could be what he needed to get back to his very best.

Travers had a dominant second half, finishing with 24 points on the night and displaying his usual brilliance in transition.

For a team that has stars all over the roster, could Travers be the most important player for United’s success?