'Illegal' tactics blast sets stage for fiery finals

The first-round of the NBL is sure to have some extra spice, after an accusation of ‘illegal’ tactics being used.

Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson lobbed a hand grenade in the Brisbane Bullets’ direction, complaining that the Queensland team frequently benefits from illegal screens.

Gleeson’s comments set the scene for a fiery semi-final clash next Thursday.

“They’re very physical. They set a lot of illegal screens on the ball, which we’re going to have to navigate through,” he said.

Though he didn’t elaborate on why the screens were illegal, Gleeson said “I think they’re illegal, but it’s not illegal until the umpire calls it.”

Gleeson also said he was unlikely to speak to the referees or the league before the series starts, just under a week from now.

“We don’t really have a speed phone conversation with the referees boss,” he said.

“It’s something we’ve got to navigate.

“We know in the finals, referees normally put the whistle in the pocket, but that’s the way every sport does it.”

Licking their wounds

The Wildcats have used the break between the regular season and the finals to recover from a barrage of injuries to their key players.

Terrico White (wrist), Greg HIre (shoulder) and Mitch Norton (calf) limped through the dying stages of the regular season.

Though both White and Hire are expected to start game one, the Wildcats will be without Norton, most likely until the grand finals series, should they progress that far.

White missed Perth’s grand final loss due to his wrist injury, and will have to manage the complaint in game one.

Meanwhile, discussions on Gleeson’s contract renewal have been put off until the end of the season.

After winning three championships with the Wildcats and the departures of Sydney’s Andrew Gaze and Illawarrra’s Rob Beveridge respectively, Gleeson is widely tipped to be a hot commodity on the coaching market.

“The board said they want to put (contract discussions) on hold until the end of the season, I respect that,” Gleeson said.

WITH AAP