Beautiful.

Let the conspiracy theories begin.

Meantime Perth management won't make any changes. Dech will play as Prior this season.

I do appreciate the irony of so many of us suggesting role playing/ reduced minutes for Martin this season.

Will he be able to handle the increased workload heading into finals without Norton?

"can players ask to be cut"

I think what the OP is asking is whether Injury Replacements bypass the 75% deadline?

A player who resigns would not be eligible for an injury waiver (unless injured doh)
I believe the league has the right to insist on independent medical assessment

"Meantime Perth management won't make any changes. Dech will play as Prior this season."

I suspect you're right, but it would be interesting to know whether they have the option.

"Norton 22mins"

"Will he be able to handle the increased workload heading into finals without Norton?"

Martin won his last two rings with Kenny as backup. So the short answer is no.

They'll have to give Dech real minutes, play Cotton at the one, with Stiendl and White spending time at the 2.

It probably means Cotton will stay at 35 mins per game.
Steindl has been fantastic recently and can split 2/3 with White when Cotton relieves Martin at 1. Dech will only see spot minutes but is familiar with the team and plays.

Rule 3.1 states "An NBL Club shall not register a new Player if it has played equal to or more than 75% of its Regular Season games."

That would clearly prevent them replacing a player under normal circumstances.

Whilst Dech has been used before it is my understanding that he is not contracted, and has been used as an Injury replacement each time. Does this mean that the 75% deadline does not apply to injury replacements?
Or was Dech in fact previously "registered"??

If anyone knows it all it's Kober.

So there's a chance you can add someone but only as an injury replacement?

If anyone knows it all it's Kober.

You guys can have Antonio Davis Jnr if you like. Quality pedigree, guaranteed stud.

Lol Kober

"I'm not aware of the current rules ever having been made public."

So you don't actually know the answer...

(Thoughts on Perth winning all these games after you informed us that they weren't making the finals by the way?)

Nah, they need to speak to Wayne Simmons. Hot diggity dog!

Old school Wildcats fans would remember his ad



Anyone know if he is still coaching?

Ha ha I still see him at some of the SBL games

"Although I suspect these rules are outdated anyway, and are the BA-era version that gets brought up every now and then" - Wrong!

"I'm not aware of the current rules ever having been made public." - Wrong Again!

The Wildcats have looked great since Norton got injured. Could he have been a big part of the problems they were having earlier?

I'd appreciate a link to the current rules as well, if anyone can provide it? Like koberulz, I can only find the old BA era rules for NBL online. Having searched multiple times,the latest i’ve found are the 2011-12 rules.

Nah I dont think so UDig, the Cats improvement has come at the defensive end which Norton was solid at. What Norton going down has done is force Gleeson into playing Steindle more rather than dragging him if he misses a shot.
Norton going down has left the Cats thin in the backcourt we'll be ok as long as we dont lose another guard.

UDog*

Cats have confirmed that it's a calf tear for Norton, and that he'll miss the remainder of the regular season.

Who could they replace him with .?

If they could sign someone available in a hurry Stephen Holt would be ideal.
Won't happen though.

Assuming, for the sake of argument, that they can, and assuming they're prepared to splash the cash, its an interesting debate as to which direction they go.

PG is obviously like for like, but won't give Maximum impact as they have Martin, and Cotton can also cover.
Maybe another combo? Somebody that can back up both Martin & Cotton?

SG? I would say that between Cotton, Stiendl, and White they are covered at the 2.

SF, don't really want a White clone, and whilst I'd like to see an upgrade on White, its hard to integrate a new player this late. Maybe a 3/4 type, or a genuine stretch 4? Would give them some flexibility.

Or, what's Showtime up to? Jervis seems out of sorts and out of favour...

All that being said, if this does come down to approval by JL, I wonder if such approval would depend on the player they want?

A Dunigan type could be handy

The Wildcats can forget it.

Melbourne United aren't going to give the Wildcats special dispensation to get a replacement import.

What's Damon Hueir/Izzy Tueta doing? haha

Radio in Perth this morning was saying Cats are tossing up the idea of a 3rd import to replace Norton. Not sure what all the rules are etc, but must be some sort of loophole to bring in a player after the cut off date.

Only 5 games left? Wouldn't any replacement not qualify

Presumably anyone we get would not be eligible for playoffs, but that doesn't mean it's not still worth doing.
It's bad enough that realistically we will be without Norton for at least some of the playoffs, so the last thing we need is to put too much workload onto Damo and break him as well. Need him as fresh as possible so I think getting a fill-in is definitely worth doing. (Plus we're apparently already driving Cotton at 200 km/h, so pushing the foot down further on him wouldn't be ideal either)

https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-entitled-to-ask-for-nbl-import-after-mitch-norton-injury-ng-b881087263z

This suggests there is a rule allowing them to apply for the 7 games to be waived if replacing a significant injury.

A third import isn't always what it's cracked up to be see Ray Turner and AJ Davis.

Can they get someone to play last 4 games but not be playoff eligible?

Given the next game is only 3 days away you would think someone is lined up if approved from NBL.

Pretty sure some European team just signed Devondrick Walker a few weeks ago?

Trev just confirmed (on tonight's news) that the Cats won't be going after an extra player. Will just continue with Dech, have Cotton to play some 1, and Hire & Steindl play some 2.

Awesome...