Basketball: Breakers still 'angry' over incorrect call

Dean Vickerman, coach of the Breakers addresses his players at a time-out. Photo / Getty Images

Breakers coach Dean Vickerman is happy with the NBL's response to the controversial and incorrect refereeing call in his side's loss to Melbourne but says the defending champions remain "angry".

The ANBL have implemented an immediate rule change and stood down two referees in the wake of the furore following Melbourne's 87-86 win in Melbourne on Sunday.

Under the change, referees will be allowed to refer any decision in the last two minutes of a game for review by the instant replay system.

"You're happy they went through a process and owned up to their mistakes, and they've made an improvement plan to go forward," Vickerman said.

"We're obviously highly disappointed and angry that their mistake possibly cost us the result and we're not going to hide that frustration."

Vickerman believed the steps that the NBL took were sufficient.

"It doesn't help us for that game, but it's going to help for the future."

The Breakers led by a point with nine seconds to go when Melbourne captain Chris Goulding tumbled to the floor, leading to guard Corey Webster being called for an unsportsmanlike foul.

It meant Goulding got two free throws, which he landed, and United got the next possession, and they closed out the contest to take their start to the season to 9-0.

In announcing the rule change, the NBL also said Webster should not have been called for an unsportsmanlike foul, but a personal foul.

"The NBL acknowledges that referees across all codes will make mistakes and that, while nobody is infallible, the NBL continuously strives to raise the standard of its players, its coaches and its referees," they said in a statement.

Webster said it was "pretty disappointing" how the game finished but it was now a case of moving on and preparing for the Perth Wildcats in Auckland on Friday night.

Asked if Goulding had flopped in that play, Webster replied: "Yep."

He added: "It's a personal thing. I guess that's how he wants to play and he's going to do it."

- AAP