Gleeson disputes technical foul as Adelaide suffers third straight loss
The 36ers coach said he would seek answers from NBL refereeing chief Scott Butler after Melbourne United won their Ignite Cup clash 96-91.
Trevor Gleeson says referees unfairly singled him out during Adelaide's 96-91 Ignite Cup defeat to Melbourne United. The result at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre was the 36ers' third consecutive loss, leaving them second-last on the NBL ladder.
The Adelaide coach objected to a technical foul issued in the second quarter by James Griguol from across the court. Gleeson said he had been discussing a backhand to guard Isaac White's face with another referee, Andrew Goodman, when Griguol penalised him.
A separate dispute involved an offensive foul on Adelaide centre Nick Rakocevic, who collided with Melbourne's Fabijan Krslovic while scoring in the third quarter. Gleeson sought a challenge but, after a long wait, was informed the call would remain unchanged and the replay centre would not consider his request.
Gleeson said the foul had already undergone review, making it ineligible for a challenge, but that nobody had told him. He said he would ask NBL head of referees Scott Butler for an explanation and send him video clips.
Gleeson also criticised the free-throw counts: Melbourne attempted 23 to Adelaide's 16. In the 36ers' previous home defeat, an 88-72 loss to the New Zealand Breakers, the visitors had 23 attempts against Adelaide's 14.
