Brisbane NRL chief executive Malcolm Watts has taken aim at Adelaide's coach and a key player for their inflammatory post-game comments, following an ugly on-court scuffle that spilled into the stands and resulted in multiple ejections. The fiery altercation, which included allegations of "cheap shots" and repeated punches, has put the NRL's disciplinary processes in the spotlight, with sanctions expected imminently.
Seven Players Ejected in Fiery Fourth-Quarter Melee
The incident erupted during Wednesday night's first-against-last clash, which Adelaide comfortably won 107-74 on the Gold Coast. A wild brawl broke out in the fourth quarter, leading to the ejection of seven players from both teams. The confrontation began when Bullets guard Hunter Maldonado tangled with 36ers big man Nick Rakocevic under the rim, with the pair falling to the ground and continuing to wrestle aggressively.
As Rakocevic gained the upper position on top of Maldonado, Brisbane guard Terry Taylor intervened, placing the Sixers forward in a headlock. The situation quickly escalated, with chairs scattering as players and coaches from both sides rushed into the fray. All three primary combatants were ejected, along with Bullets quartet Tristan Devers, Taine Murray, Alex Ducas, and Sam McDaniel—the latter two being inactive players sidelined with injuries who joined from the bench.
Adelaide's Post-Game Accusations Fuel Controversy
Adelaide coach Mike Wells expressed fury in the post-game press conference, alleging that Maldonado was punching his player in the stomach while Taylor applied a "dangerous" choke hold. "I was really scared for my player. I screamed at Terry, almost like a parent, like 'What are you doing?'" Wells stated. "And Maldonado ... he was not stopping. I am fired up and a little concerned."
Adelaide sharp-shooter Dejan Vasiljevic further stoked the flames, describing the Bullets' actions as "unprofessional" and accusing them of "throwing cheap shots at us because they're going to finish last." He urged the league to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Brisbane's Defence and Disappointment
In response, Bullets coach Darryl McDonald denied that his players threw punches, instead claiming that Rakocevic had sparked the incident by "pile-driving" Maldonado to the floor. McDonald declined to retaliate against Wells's claims, instead encouraging the NRL to review the game footage for clarity.
On Thursday, Malcolm Watts praised his coach for displaying "composure, clarity and professionalism" following the incident, while labelling Adelaide's press conference remarks as "disappointing." Watts acknowledged that emotions can run high in competitive environments but emphasised the importance of maintaining professionalism. "The actions of our players were instinctive responses made in support of a teammate," he said. "We are comfortable that the available footage will assist the league in its review, and we will be respectful and supportive of the process undertaken."
Disciplinary Review and Player Apology
Nick Rakocevic now faces anxious wait for the verdict from the NRL's game review panel, particularly given his prior charge for striking earlier this season, which resulted in a two-game suspension with one game suspended for 24 months. In a social media post on Thursday, Rakocevic apologised and claimed he "tried to do everything he could to get out of that situation," insisting he would never intentionally involve his teammates in such an incident.
Meanwhile, Adelaide, who secured their place in next month's in-season Ignite Cup final with this dominant victory, return home from a four-game road trip to face second-placed South East Melbourne on Saturday. The fallout from this explosive encounter continues to reverberate throughout the league, highlighting the intense rivalries and high stakes in professional basketball.
