League to deliver verdict on scuffle
THE NBL will today release its findings and charges following the Cairns and Perth melee in the Taipans’ resounding victory over the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon.
The league’s Game Review Panel was last night reviewing the scuffle involving Taipans Jarrad Weeks and Michael Carrera and Wildcats Derek Cooke Jr and Jean-Pierre Tokoto.
Tokoto, who led the Wildcats with 17 points, was the only player handed an unsportsmanlike foul despite several players from both clubs being involved in the tussle.
The NBL is expected to release its findings and charges from the Game Review Panel today.
In the incident, Wildcats big man Cooke Jr grabs a rebound over the top of Snakes skipper Cameron Gliddon and pushes him away from the contest.
Carrera, on debut for the Taipans, then attempts to wrestle the ball from Cooke Jr and, after a struggle for the ball, makes contact with Cooke Jr’s face with his forearm.
Tokoto’s and Weeks’ push and shove then escalates, nearing the Taipans bench before the referees and other players intervene.
Taipans forward Stephen Weigh had to restrain Carrera from returning to the melee once it had settled down.
The NBL Game Review Panel confirmed it was looking at an incident in the fourth quarter of the clash between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats.
“Under the system, players Thursday Brisbane v New Zealand Perth v Illawarra Friday Cairns v Adelaide Saturday Brisbane v Melbourne Sunday Illawarra v Sydney can be subjected to suspensions and fines, which can be reduced by accepting an early plea,” the NBL said in a release yesterday afternoon.
“Clubs have the option of contesting charges at the NBL Tribunal.
“The panel will release its findings and charges arising from the games (today) once its review is complete.”
Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson did not comment on the incident after the game but said the Taipans were more aggressive across the four quarters.
“They were really physical and played well,” Gleeson said.
“It was disappointing to come off a game like Friday night and to dish that up against Cairns.
“I thought we were pretty passive and the Taipans were way more aggressive.”
The Taipans and Wildcats had two fiery preseason games earlier this year with Perth pair Damian Martin and Greg Hire involved while Carrera was ejected from one of the games.
The Game Review Panel is also looking at an incident from the third quarter of the game between the Brisbane Bullets and Illawarra Hawks.