United, 36ers play blame game over brawl

Claims, including too much trash talk and a refusal to shake hands flew as the rivalry between Melbourne and Adelaide took a nasty turn after United's NBL win.

Casper Ware - United/36ers row.

Tempers flared as Melbourne United's big win over Adelaide 36ers was marred by a brawl. (AAP)

Bitter NBL rivals Melbourne and Adelaide have pointed the finger of blame at each other for Monday's post-match melee which overshadowed United's landslide 114-91 victory.

Following an exchange of words, seldom-used 36ers development player Bijan Johnson shoved United import DJ Kennedy as the teams lined up to shake hands.

The pair had to be separated and Melbourne's players ushered into their room by on-site security.

Kennedy claims Johnson instigated it by "being chippy", while Sixers centre Harry Froling accused United of lacking class for declining to shake Johnson's hand.

"What I heard was a couple of the Melbourne guys wouldn't shake hands (with Johnson) which I think is not very classy," Froling alleged.

"Whether you win or lose, you should walk off with class and shake hands.

"A lot of us walked past, thought 'whatever' and left it but 'BJ' has a shorter temperament and reacted to it. He didn't like it."

Kennedy, who had 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists, felt Johnson was doing too much talking.

"The guy got a bit chippy," Kennedy said.

"It probably goes back to last year (grand final) and the two teams' rivalry. We did a really good job of keeping our composure.

"It's not the time for someone to do something stupid and get suspended, especially with this late stretch we've got."

In 77 seconds of on-court action, 21-year-old Johnson clanged two free throws, sledged Mitch McCarron, was called for two fouls, narrowly escaped a technical for slapping the ball away from Melbourne's Craig Moller and kickstarted the post-match brawl.

Adelaide coach Joey Wright would prefer Johnson be less concerned with handshakes but believes the young speedster will develop into a fine player.

"If someone doesn't want to shake my hand, so what, I'm just going to keep going," Wright said.

"I would love to pass that knowledge onto BJ.

"That kid, in a couple of years when he gets it altogether, is going to be a dynamite player. There's not any Australians in the league as quick as him.

"He plays with a lot of fire but every team needs that. Every team needs a BJ."


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Source: AAP



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