Adelaide to let actions talk after both NBL grand final sides fined
ADELAIDE 36ers have closed ranks and are refusing to comment on their controversial game-three grand final loss to Melbourne United on Friday night, saying the only way to respond is on their home court.
The simmering feud with United went up a gear when the teams had to be separated at halftime.
Guard Nathan Sobey was ejected from the game for headbutting as Melbourne ran out 101-98 winners.
The NBL match review panel yesterday laid 14 charges from the game — including Sobey and Melbourne’s Tai Wesley and Casey Prather for headbutting — but they are all free to play providing they accept their respective fines.
Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright continued his self-imposed media ban in the wake of being fined $5000 by the league for last week pointing out that Melbourne United and the NBL were owned by the same person — Larry Kestelman — in relation to a question about the referees.
Wright declined to speak to the media at the airport as the team flew out on Thursday, gave just one line to the courtside reporter pre-game and answered every question during his post-game press conference with “I’m not sure”.
As the team arrived home yesterday, Mitch Creek also offered a “no comment” on questions relating to refereeing and tension with Melbourne.
But he said he was “100 per cent” confident Adelaide could come back and win the series.
“Without a doubt, I have 100 per cent faith in my team and the coaching staff and everyone at the 36ers organisation. We have built a winning culture and plan to do just that,” Creek said. “I’d play right now if I could. NATHAN Lyon delivered the latest twist in a topsy-turvy third cricket Test, clubbing a career-best 47 for the Australians after South Africa seized control of the Cape Town clash. The tourists resumed at 9/245 last night, trailing the hosts by 66 runs. Lyon was handed four lives on a frenetic second day, the first coming on five when Vernon Philander hurt his neck while diving to take a catch. Australia would have slipped to 9/180 if he’d completed the dismissal. Instead, he spent over half an hour off the ground as Lyon went on the attack against a tired attack. Umpires ended play early because of bad light, with captain Faf du Plessis failing to hide his frustration after Tim Paine finished 33 not out. “We’re back in the game, we’re certainly going to have to bowl better in the second innings,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann said. “Nathan had a bit of luck but he took the game on, and Tim played really well. Tim’s probably been our standout batsman for the tour.” Morne Morkel, who earlier claimed his 300th Test scalp when Shaun Marsh threw his bat at a wide delivery, snapped Lyon’s 66-run stand with Paine to finish the day with 4/87. “A lead of 60 on this wicket is fantastic,” Morkel said. “Nathan played very well. You are going to have partnerships in cricket. It’s going to happen.”
“If you’re not hungry at this point you may as well go home and sit on the couch, if you’re not ready to play then don’t come to the stadium.
“We call ourselves 12 deep for a reason and we understand exactly where our talent lies and that’s in all 12 players.
“We had guys step up like (Anthony) Drmic, Majok (Deng) and Ramone (Moore) and we’ll continue to in the next couple of games.”
Creek also had a message for 36ers fans. “Come and make as much noise as possible, you guys have been the absolute blood, sweat and tears this year, so come out and make some noise because we’ll be making some too,” he said.
Asked about Sobey being booted from the game at halftime, Creek was vague at best.
“I’m not sure, I didn’t see anything, none of us did,” he said. “He was in the locker room, I don’t know how he was feeling.”