Bullets refuse to let teammates get bullied
BRISBANE have vowed to not take a backward step despite the NBL throwing the book at the four teams involved in melees last weekend.
Bullets duo Tom Jervis and Adam Gibson were two of nine players slapped with a total of 13 charges after scuffles in the fiery Brisbane-Illawarra and Cairns-Perth match-ups last Sunday.
A hard foul from Gibson on Hawks forward Nick Kay sparked the push and shove in Wollongong.
Jervis and Gibson were charged with “engaging in a melee-brawl” which carries a fine of $500 or $375 with an early guilty plea. But they have challenged the charges and the NBL tribunal will sit today.
Hawks import Demitrius Conger, who put a cut above Jervis’ eye in one encounter, received three charges but can still play this weekend after pleading guilty.
Every other player charged pleaded guilty.
Cairns import Michael Carrera was facing a one-game ban but his charge of making unreasonable contact with the face of an opponent was downgraded and he is free to play Adelaide tomorrow night.
Ahead of tonight’s clash with New Zealand at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said he would expect his players to react exactly the same way if the same situation presented itself this season.
“One hundred per cent. No one is going to leave their teammate lying on the ground with four guys running at him,” Lemanis said.
“Everyone is going to get in and protect their teammates.”