Bullets vow to answer Perth gripe on court
BRISBANE have laughed off pre-match mind games from Perth NBL coach Trevor Gleeson, who has accused the Bullets of “illegal’’ tactics.
Ahead of the NBL semifinal series which begins in Perth on Thursday, Gleeson has put pressure on the officials by questioning Brisbane’s “very physical” style of play that was only legal “until the umpire calls it”.
“They set a lot of illegal screens on the ball, which we’re going to have to navigate through,’’ Gleeson told the Perth media last week.
“We know in the finals the refs normally put the whistles in the pocket but that’s the way every other sport does it. We’re OK with it.’’
Perth – in their 33rd straight playoff appearance – are a perennial NBL powerhouse who enjoy a great home court advantage that includes fewer fouls called on them and getting handed more free throws than their opposition.
Bullets assistant coach CJ Bruton said Brisbane would be trying to take the referees out of the contest.
“He (Gleeson) made a comment? He’s a coach, he’s allowed to make that,’’ he said.
“The players will tell the story. Clearly the referees have their job to do and I’m sure they’ll get advice from the referee’s co-ordinator Scott Butler about what’s going on and how they manage the game.
“Clearly they (Perth) know we’ve added depth to our squad and this is a new beast. They’ve got a couple of injuries on their side of the fence.
“That’s one way that he (Gleeson) feels he will make an impact by telling that story but overall the players will dictate the outcome.’’