Basketball On The Internet.

AN Independent Hearing Panel comprised of "highly skilled legal counsels" has banned Canberra Caps' WNBL coach and Opals assistant Paul Goriss, along with referee Simon Cosier after finding them in breach of acceptable ethical behaviour following an investigation by Basketball Australia's Integrity Unit.

Both men were found guilty of, according to a BA statement today: "engaging in prohibited conduct under Basketball Australia’s National Framework for Ethical Behaviour and Integrity in Basketball."

Cosier supplied Goriss with confidential video clips of a Sydney Uni Flames training scrimmage originally designed for referee education purposes.

By misusing the insider information footage and engaging in conduct that would impair public confidence in the integrity and good character of basketball and its participants, Cosier was banned from WNBL refereeing activities for the season.

For accepting the footage from Cosier and using it "for opposition scouting", Goriss was banned from all coaching, including Opals duties until January 20 next year.

According to the BA release: "In issuing the sanctions, the Panel found that no actual advantage was obtained by Goriss or the UC Capitals."

Say what?

Are these people serious?

What was the point then in risking their careers if there was "no actual advantage"?

Where does our sport find these people?

Canberra beat Sydney by three points in their subsequent meeting. No-one can say for sure how much having access to at least some of Sydney's plays - Cosier supplied Goriss with seven of the 'referee education' clips - were important in the Caps stealing the road win.

By the same token, no-one can summarily declare there was "no actual advantage" either. That, dear readers, is patently absurd.

And what about these lame slap-on-the-wrist penalties?

First and foremost, the win should either be taken off Canberra or at the very least, the game replayed.

I don't know Simon Cosier at all but I DO know for sure that in sport, its officials have to not only be, but be seen to be, beyond reproach. 

These days you cannot watch a sporting event without being bombarded with all the various forms of betting on sports contests so it is even MORE essential now our referees and officials are squeaky clean.

Sorry, but breaching the game's integrity is the worst conceivable offence. If you can't trust the people in charge, what are we left with?

A one-season ban from reffing WNBL? I know our refereeing stocks are never quite as great as what we would desire but I would not allow any referee back into the sport for 10 years after breaching integrity guidelines. 10-year ban - automatic.

If that takes the ref - any ref - beyond their ability to officiate at these levels, too bad. The integrity of the game is paramount. Ten years out would be my penalty. No questions asked.

For Coach Goriss to be kept from the Opals program until January 20 is a meaningless nonsense because they won't be doing squat of significance before then. It's a faux penalty if ever there was one.

And a few weeks away from the WNBL? How does that deter anyone from doing the wrong thing? He has been found guilty. He did the wrong thing. And the worst "wrong thing". He breached the game's integrity.

Two year ban. Go away and have a good hard think buddy. Think about what you owe the sport.

I am happy to be lenient in all sorts of cases and charges, but NOT where the game's integrity is concerned.

The BA statement said Goriss and Cosier had 14 days to appeal the decision. They should instead count their blessings.

What that last BA statement also means is that the sport's governing body ALSO has 14 days to consider appealing this ludicrous decision by the Independent Hearing Panel.

If Basketball Australia wants to take a huge step in terms of securing some credibility, it must appeal and if/when given the opportunity, make a proper example out of anyone willing to compromise the integrity of our great sport.

My attitude is fairly straightforward. You try to eff our game, the game should eff the hell out of you. No exceptions.

* * *

WNBL ROUND 3 WRAP

LOSING Tokyo Olympian Sara Blicavs (back) pre-game did nothing to help the Flyers reverse last round's savage loss to Melbourne, although the home team hung tough for a half.

But once Tiffany Allen put a couple of slick offensive third quarter moves on Southside, then Lindsay Allen aced back-to-back threes, this was over. Cayla George was magnificent for the Boomers with a 25-point, 12-rebound double, along with three steals, three assists and a block in a quality afternoon's work.

Bec Cole and Abby Bishop fought a lone battle offensively for Southside, with Kristy Wallace seizing her extra minutes for a return of 10 points at 75 per cent, with 2-of-2 threes in 17:49.

MELBOURNE BOOMERS 87 (George 25, Allen 22, Mitchell 14, Magbegor 13; George 12 rebs; Madgen 5 assts) d SOUTHSIDE FLYERS 72 (Cole 20, Bishop 17, Wallace 10; O'Hea 6 rebs; O'Hea 6 assts) at The Hangar, Dandenong Stadium.

* * *

NOT too long ago if you'd have said Lauren Nicholson would play 36:37 for a 5-point return on 2-of-11 shooting, while championship warriors Mia Murray and Micaela Cocks would go scoreless, predicting that Townsville lost would have been a safe bet.

But it was dead wrong as the Fire raged to beat Sydney by 19, import Monique Billings providing 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting (funnily enough, that 89 per cent for those playing along at home), with nine boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks before she fouled out.

Nadeen Payne turned back the clock for an 18-point, 8-rebound contribution as Townsville's size proved too much for Sydney to conquer.

TOWNSVILLE FIRE 75 (Billings 21, Payne 18, Sutton 12, Aokusa 10; Billings 9 rebs; Sutton 7 assts) d SYDNEY UNI FLAMES 56 (Heal 12, Froling 11, Dungee 10; Purcell 10 rebs; Mansfield 7 assts) at The Firehouse, Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.

* * *

TOKYO Olympian Alanna Smith again was the target of refereeing focus - why must they insist on doing that rubbish? - with two quick fouls and three before halftime again, after starting exceptionally strongly.

Smith still finished with 16 points at 50 per cent with seven rebounds despite being restricted by the officiating to just 17 minutes, import playmaker Kiana Williams finding the tempo this round with 17 points, three assists and two steals.

Sam Simons enjoyed a perfect shooting game with a career-best 12 points on 5-of-5, including 2-of-2 threes and a pair of assists.

Marena Whittle's 17 points came at 75 per cent with 3-of-3 triples and Steph Talbot led from the front with 9 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and a block.

Without Kelsey Griffin, only Jade Melbourne really seized the opportunity, Adelaide in control throughout.

ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 88 (Whittle, Williams 17, Smith 16, Simons, Brook 12; Talbot 12 rebs; Talbot 6 assts) d UNI of CANBERRA CAPITALS 62 (Melbourne 18, Smart 12, 3 with 9; Ruef 10 rebs; Sykes 7 assts) at the Casino, National Convention Centre.

* * *

IT was the Ezi Magbegor Show in Bendigo as the Tokyo Olympic Opal shone brightest and went tantalisingly close to her historic first WNBL triple-double.

No Spirit upset this time around as Ezi went off for 21 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. She also had two steals and four blocks, Tiffany Mitchell the only Mitchell to fire, drilling a game-high 25 points on a wicked 10-of-13 shooting.

Maddie Garrick paced the home team with 17 points, Bendigo's newest signing, Alex Wilson still working her way into the rotation.

MELBOURNE BOOMERS 81 (Mitchell 25, Magbegor 21, Davidson 10; Magbegor 16 rebs; Magbegor 9 assts) d BENDIGO SPIRIT 56 (Garrick 17, Goulding, McKay, Maley 9; Maley 11 rebs; Mckay 3 assts) at The Goldmine, Bendigo Stadium.