Rillie defends players after post-game clash

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has defended the post-game exchange between Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and Kristian Doolittle, pointing to “emotion” as playing a vital role in team success.

While Rillie hadn’t seen vision of the incident when he fronted his post-game press conference on Sunday, he was quick to support his players.

“That demonstrates what was on the line,” he said following the Wildcats’ last-gasp loss.

“Our players approach these moments and, without having seen the vision, those things happen in high-energy situations.

“I will appropriately address the situation when I understand it to its fullest magnitude.

“Jo had big plays. Doo had big plays. Then it comes down to emotion. We’ll deal with it, but emotion is good.

“It’s part of it … you asked if we were fractured, like, we’re in games, we won five in a row, we’ve gone on the road and battled … we’re in a great situation tonight. It was a well-fought, contested game with a rival team. That’s the emotion of sport, that’s the passion of sport.

“I know everyone can look at it the way they want to look at it, but we’re in the trenches every day. The emotion is good. Emotion gives you a chance of success.”

Lual-Acuil Jr. appeared to be yelling in the direction of Doolittle just minutes after the final buzzer, before leaving the court while pushing away another teammate.

“I didn’t see it, (but) these things happen. The care factor is there. The last thing you want is for guys to not care … to go down in a game like that and kind of be OK with it,” captain Jesse Wagstaff said.

“I didn’t see it … I saw the back end of it. These things happen in sports, they happen in practice, they happen every year I’ve been a professional.

“It’s passion and the passion is good.”

Doolittle had the chance to win the game with 11 seconds remaining, but his final attempt rattled out as Melbourne celebrated an impressive road victory.

Despite Elijah Pepper appearing open beyond the arc when the shot went up, Rillie said he was comfortable with his star import taking the responsibility.

“In those moments you need someone to step up,” he added.

“We will watch it and see what other options were available, if there were other options. But I look at those moments when guys step up and want that responsibility, there’s something to be said for that.”