This was published 5 years ago
Greg Hire enjoys fairytale farewell after Wildcats turn season around
By Roy Ward
Greg Hire didn't realise how bad things looked until his mum sent over a job offer.
While the Perth Wildcats were celebrating their ninth NBL title on the floor at Melbourne Arena on Sunday, Hire couldn’t help recalling that things could have turned out so much different had the club axed a player mid-season to sign a third import.
Nothing but net: Greg Hire grabs a keepsake from Melbourne Arena after the Wildcats claimed the NBL championship with a win in game four of the NBL Grand Final series against United.Credit: AAP
The club made a call to sign just two star imports, Bryce Cotton and Terrico White, rather than the full three which other clubs had signed and as they continued to have losses, more and more commentators demanded they make a change.
But with their roster full, the Wildcats would have to cut a player if they wanted a third import.
Hire, 31, was in his last season and he didn't realise how much that doubt was playing on the minds of his family until his mum sent him a rather astounding message.
"As much as people say don't read social media, you can't stop your wife, your mum from reading it," Hire said.
Wild times: Perth's Greg Hire takes a team selfie with the trophy after claiming the NBL championship on Sunday.Credit: AAP
"I remember getting a message from my mum saying there is a potential job I know of if you get fired.
"You can't be immune to it. It was tough. There was literally a lot of pressure. A lot of people [on the roster] where thinking "am I done?"."
In mid January coach Trevor Gleeson and the club decided they would stay with their roster and live with the consequences.
Their decision was met with derision at the time but proved a master-stroke as Cotton and White led the club to the title with White winning grand final MVP.
"Trev came upstairs after a shoot-around and said this is the group we are going to stick with," Hire said.
"I think it was reassuring. I was always confident my job security was there but I know it was playing on a few guys minds.
"Guys like Terrico cop all the flack just for being an import. It's undeserved, but I think it reassured the group and confidence is an incredible thing."
Hire enjoyed a fairytale final game on Sunday and it was fitting for a player who battled his way up from the Western Australian State League into the Wildcats where he won four championships.
On the ball: Greg Hire in action during game four of the finals series on Sunday.Credit: AAP
While he only played a bit role off the bench, Hire made an impact in the second quarter of Sunday's game four clincher pulling in a key offensive rebound and completing a three-point play to fire up his side.
"I said all along to the bench guys that there are moments in the game where a bench player can really impact the game by hitting an open shot or grabbing an offensive rebound," Hire said.
"Energy defines our team and I thought I had a moment there to change the scope of the game. I was gassed when I came off but it was nice to contribute."
Gleeson made a point of putting Hire back on with a minute left in the game alongside his good mates Damian Martin and Jesse Wagstaff.
"In the perfect world you have that situation and they have been such good teammates who love each other on and off the court," Gleeson said.
"They are good mates and to get that, to let them share that on court together one more time, I thought that was worth doing."