The NBL has handed in sanctions after tensions boiled over in Cairns following the Perth Wildcats’ emphatic 110-78 win over the Taipans on Wednesday night.
What began as a routine post-game handshake turned heated when Admiral Schofield and Lat Mayen exchanged words, before Wildcats star Jo Lual-Acuil Jr stepped in and the situation briefly escalated.
The NBL’s Game Review Panel (GRP) moved quickly to assess the incident, handing down fines to the players involved but opting not to issue any suspensions.
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The league’s stance was clear – emotions are part of the game, but post-game confrontations will not be tolerated.
After reviewing game footage and reports, the GRP handed down the following charges and penalties:
Admiral Schofield – Unsportsmanlike Behaviour
• Base Penalty: $775
• Early Plea: $585
Lat Mayen – Unsportsmanlike Behaviour
• Base Penalty: $775
• Early Plea: $585
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – Striking (Intentional, Low Impact, Body Contact)
• Base Penalty: $1,010
• Early Plea: $700
Each player now has the option to accept the early plea and take a reduced fine or appeal the decision through the league’s tribunal process. No suspensions were deemed necessary, which means all three players will remain available for selection heading into the end of Round 6 and Round 7.
The league’s decision reinforces its zero-tolerance approach to on-court altercations and unsportsmanlike behaviour. In recent years, the NBL has worked to build a brand that promotes intensity and competitiveness – but within the limits of respect between teams. Wednesday’s clash was a reminder of how quickly passion can spill over when frustrations run high.
Speaking after the game, Taipans head coach Adam Forde didn’t shy away from addressing the incident. While acknowledging his players’ emotion, he admitted he’d rather see that same energy channelled throughout the game rather than after the final buzzer.
“It’s kind of too little, too late. It’s a funny group, but they care,” Forde said.
“I just want to see it rather than all in one hit – maybe we space out that anger over 40 minutes and turn it into focus and aggression. It’d be worse if they didn’t care and quit.”
Forde’s comments highlight a growing frustration within the Taipans camp as they continue to search for consistency after several heavy defeats this season. The blowout loss to Perth marked their fourth 30-point defeat, underscoring just how important emotional control and resilience will be for the group moving forward.
For the Wildcats, the incident does little to overshadow what was a statement performance – their best offensive outing of the season. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr was dominant inside before the post-game flare-up, while Kristian Doolittle and Elijah Pepper continued to find their rhythm as Perth climbed back above .500.
Both teams will now aim to move past the controversy and shift their focus to upcoming fixtures, with Perth eyeing a return to championship contention and Cairns desperate to rediscover their fight – this time, where it matters most, on the court.
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