I was of the understanding that a second Tech for the same sort of offence was grounds for ejection.

The rule changed a few years back for the auto ejection

As for Copeland:

First tech for having words with Shanahan to the point that they had hands on each other's face and throat.

Second for having words with Heal.

Now, what does it take to fire him up that much?!

I thought it was always 2 techs and your gone. As soon as Copeland got the second I figured he was gone and was suprised by the crowd's reaction to being told he was ejected.

I think you will find a player can be ejected at anytime during the game regardless of the number of tech fouls.

Well from where i was sitting after the 2nd Tech the refs confered and seem to indicate it was 2 tech fouls so he had to leave.

Now I am no rule guru, but there is no mention of ejection for a techincal foul in the current rule book Article 38 (I just downloaded the rule book from the FIBA website), so we can only assume he was given a qisqualifying foul (which he clearly wasnt until after the umpires confered) or the umpires clearly showed their lack of understanding of the rules.

Maybe Brad Hill payed the refs to make the decision so he could get on court!

9125 the refs got it right and I guess that is why the did the game and not you.

The Shannahan incident was funny because i thought Copeland was trying to tell him he was fat and pinch his cheeks.

But Copeland was an idiot for getting into it with Heal again , once they were separated the first time.

He was brought here to show some leadership - not a good example.

Did anyone notice Heal yanking on Darrens shirt in the first play on court? He almost pulled him over.

Whats the point in double technicals it proves nothing. Fair enough if punches are thrown, but a little talk and push and shove is alright, thats what the fans want to see. Break it up and give a warning, then if it boils over then give a tech. Refs just love giving out techs soon as there is a slight altercation.

I didnt have a problem with Copeland getting fired up - Id love to see some more of it - agreed however that he needs to temper his agression slightly so as not to get himself thrown out!

Cat used to be able to lift the team and crowd with a bit of push and shove everynow and then - shows a bit of passion rather than some of the very passive performances we have seen so far this season.

As for Copes telling Shanahan he was fat - I think he wanted to say the same to Drimic but was scared he would get eaten

Copeland's ejected really sparked Adelaide and it was the worst thing to happen for the Dragons.

1. Dragons were on a complete tear, down 66-69 and looking the goods.

2. Copeland was very poor defensively and Dragons were clearing out and isolating Copeland, and scoring easily.

3. It lifted the crowd, starting to sound like 7000 and not 1500!

4. It injected Brad Hill in to the rotation and he showed why he should be getting at least 15-20 mins per game.

Journo
Hill has been getting 15-20 minutes.
Last night he got 20 minutes court time.

considring this team go's all the way down in rotation, I think Phil is giving Hill a chance now so people shold not be so harsh on Smyth in this regard.

In regards to the trash talk there seems to be less tollarence this season to previous

double tech foul is good because we come to see basketball not adults acting like children

imo

Show Me the Money - check old boxscores. There is no way Hill has got 15 mins every game this year. Some games he only hit the floor once. Look at the games pre-Maher's injury

Show me the Money - Hill has recieved 74 mins before last night at an average of 9 mins a game. And most of those games have been with Maher not playing.
Last night was the first time he has logged 20 mins all season.

Its important to note how loud the Boo's for The Tool got after Copeland's ejection and therefore the increase in emotion and crowd involvement in general.

ShaneD

It was appalling to see the 36ers fans booing a truley great basketball player. Shane Heal does not deserve the petty unsportsman-like reception he got last night. Living in Adelaide myself I was extremely embarrassed to see Adelaide fans behave with so much disrespect.
Go Dragons!

Meg,

go back to Victtoria and dont let the door hit your ass on the way out!!

Heal has been disrepectful to Adelaide crowds since he started playing, and has deserved to be booed for some of his carry ons!

Adelaide fans will acknowledge good players who aren't tools, however booing Hammer will ALWAYS happen as long as he is involved in the league.

Do you REALLY think Shane went back to his hotel last night and cried himself to sleep because he was getting booed all game??

Are we refering about the same Shane Hill that around 10 years ago ran down the court fliping the bird to the Adelaide crowd with both hands???
Yea, he deserve a lot of respect.

Don't waste your time in this forum cupcake!

Wasn't there an incident with 'Haemorroid' I mean Heal where he actually punched a supporter at the Dome?
I think it was back when it used to be called the PowerHouse.

You thinking of Matt Nielson?

Shane Heal is only really great in his own mind. A self-loving, overrated, egotistical idiot... and they are his good qualities.

I just wished that the noise the crowd created after Copes got tossed was like that every home game from start to finish. Sounded like a crowd of 10,000 or more... reminded me of the Sixers crowds of old I used to enjoy watching on TV... really started getting into the feeling of the game, and that's what got the Sixers going again.

Anyone else see the irony in John Lawrence calling someone else a "self-loving, overated, egotistical idiot"???