kickert will have a big day, Melbourne by 15.

Melbourne by 9.
Team is strong and has loads of potential IMO.

It's Melbourne's game to lose. If the Crocs get a sniff, then watch out!

Melbourne are slowly emerging and if they can get their shit together will challenge Perth and NZ.
Melbourne by 13

United flying early.

Off to a 16-0 run to start the 2nd.

currently 37-20

Crocs 22 points down and looking abysmal.

Within first five minutes of the refs calls it is clear that the Crocs can not win this game. They are receiving the calls that all teams receive against the Big 3 get !

Watch the crappy mid court make up calls later in the game against Melbourne, but won't be called on the Crocs Offensive. So predictable.

Too much Conflict of Interest and Directives to suit the few.

No, not a Crocs fan either before you all start.

If they want to open up the key for the specky drives and high scoring game just do what the NBA does and put in the 3 sec defensive. Not that it will be called as they can't call the Offensive 3 second either...

I actually agree with you ^

Crocs couldn't get a call at all. It was appalling.

Gladness was the number 1 victim.

Who's in commentary

Yep,never thought I would say that the break from BA was a bad move !!!

What is with the love in from Gaze and Carfino ???

Prediction 7 is picking up the game..

Which Team has a connection there ????

Crocs trailing by 7 2:30 to go in the last.

SUSPECT CATEGORY - term used by Gaze for the Crap calls on Gladness !!!! A few Umms as well and he seemed to hold his tongue a lot !

Markovic to the line with 2:12 to go. Make both. 5
point game

My first look at the new Margaret Court Arena (on TV). Definitely looks the part and looks more suited to basketball than Hisense Arena does.

We play Melbourne next. Can we avoid equalling our record 8 game losing streak?

Crocs 23 t/o and down the stretch they continue to t/o. Will cost them the game undoubtedly.

Melb are way too casual atm

That was not a foul on Corletto. Unbelievable.

Crazy carry and travel by Corletto let go at 12 to go..

Obvious foul on that Vanderjagt shot but yep, no call.. Crap call... Seriously bad reffing.

ROBBED !

I looked up casual in the dictionary and I saw 2 photos there, Anstey and DMac. Nuff said.

hard to watch the refs

Can see how Gladness played NBA as he is an NBA level shot blocker just is horrible at everything else at NBA level. Not a smart player. Liked the fightback from Townsville showed a lot of toughness a pity Markovic is injured right now.

im a melb fan and at the game but im sorry the officiating was horrible! The fouls called on gladness were riduclous and basically clean! and then as soon as he goes off someone jumps on a guys back to block the ball!

Anyone else at the game see all the shot clock? could barely read it and almost feel off! not v professional!

Got the home cooking after leading by 22. Crap.

United got it done with McRae - a good effort that.

Wish I could have got to the game - have not yet watch the video...

Recap: No McRae, no problem as Melbourne win third straight

You're probably better off without Mickell Gladnes because they referee him with a different set of rules. It makes it hard to win basketball games.

Why am I not surprised that I hear people complaining about the refereeing then I turn it on and see Aylen is out there.

With the game on the line with 12 seconds left Corletto does a massive travel RIGHT in front of Aylen! One of the best referees in the world (apparently) right there and he can't even get that call correct.

My theory is this:

The refs have been told very strictly to whistle any and every contact.

They have become robots. Instead of whistling contact on its merits, they simply assume every contact should denote a foul.

They don't understand/appreciate how the contact came about. Some players use their strength very expertly and fairly and they are been whistled for contact.

Under the new refereeing interpretation, NBL teams might as well not be doing any strength/gym work because been strong disadvantages you nowadays.

I disagree completely MACDUB. Mickell Gladness told me this week the NBL is easily the most physical comp he's played in.

The problem this year is some games are called tight ala last season, some are physical like the couple of seasons before that, and others are a mix of both like Melb v Townsville.

Some really undisciplined off-ball contact was allowed yesterday, then some really soft ones called on guys who were playing good D. Unfortunately the reffing direction has lost its way this year.

What Paul said. It's all over the shop which is why it is so frustrating to watch. Imagine how annoying it would be to be a player...

Games moving forward but the refereeing isn't.Mal needs to go.We got a lecture at the start of last season as to how the game is going to be called which lasted 4 weeks.Hard for players to work out how the game is going to be called.

people need to stop be so critical of DMAC. fact is, they're winning and players are buying in.

Anon #783, I was a big supporter of what Mal and his team did last season with the refs, but I think his job should be on the line if he can't get them back on track the rest of this season.

I am told Hollywood is on holidays in the USA for several weeks during the season!!!
Priorities?

Admittedly, from a friend of a friend of a friend who knows several NBL refs in each state, but I was told that Mal has sacked senior officials and will only promote the refs who call everything in line with his instructions and has introduced ABA refs to the league with no experience and no results at the next level down but who will do exactly what he wants, instead of having there own feel for the game.