Owner rejects unrest claims, backs Wells

Adelaide 36ers owner Grant Kelley has vehemently denied reports of unrest at the club, throwing his support behind coach Mike Wells and his team.

Reports emerged this week of tension between Dejan Vasiljevic and Wells, after the 36ers star commented on a technical foul received by the head coach during the Playoffs.

But in the days since, Vasiljevic, Kelley and Bryce Cotton have all thrown their support behind Wells, firmly shutting down any suggestion of a divide.

“I can’t tell you how much support and admiration Mike has engendered, not just from me but from the entire club,” Kelley said.

“What has quickly been forgotten in the crisis-redemption arc for the last four or five days has been the coaching masterclass that Mike Wells put on in Games 1 and 3 (of the Playoff Series win over South East Melbourne).

“We’re sitting here talking about crises and honestly, it astonishes me.”

Kelley called out media speculation surrounding the club.

“We’ve clearly got the east coast media following a crisis redemption arc constantly with the Adelaide 36ers … we’re aware of it,” he said.

“That’s why it’s water off a duck’s back. I’d treat it not as irritating or anything, but treat it as a game.

“It’s an us against them mentality, it absolutely helps us. So I say to the east coast media, bring it on. We love it.”

Adelaide suffered a 44-point Game 1 loss, but has a chance to respond on Friday night at home, with a sold-out crowd set to pack the arena for Game 2, live on ESPN from 7.30pm AEDT.