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NBL to put clubs on notice after courtside melee
Jasper Bruce, AAP • November 28th, 2024 6:23 pm
Photo: Morgan Hancock/AAP
The NBL is set to put its clubs on notice following the ugly courtside scuffle between players and spectators at John Cain Arena.
This weekend's games are the first since November 17, when two spectators were ejected for provoking and then becoming physically entangled with Adelaide 36ers players in the match against Melbourne United.
One of the spectators was subsequently banned from attending NBL games for life, with the other - a longtime United fan - receiving a 10-year suspension.
Adelaide players Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell were respectively suspended for and two and three games for their roles in the melee.
The NBL has not flagged changes to its game-day security as it returns from last week's FIBA international window.
The scenes were unprecedented in the 10 years of Larry Kestelman's ownership but there is a feeling that extra security detail likely would not have prevented the brawl, given the close proximity of courtside fans to the players.
AAP understands the 10 NBL clubs will receive communications from head office during round 10 addressing the incident.
The league is set to remind clubs as a condition of their licence, they have a duty of care to keep players and fans safe, and of their hopes that the incident will be a line in the sand moment.
John Cain Arena will host United's clash with the Sydney Kings this Sunday.
The 36ers will host struggling defending champions the Tasmania JackJumpers this Saturday for their first game without American imports Harrell and Davis.
