Save Our South Dragons

Following the NBL's decision to fine the Melbourne Tigers for their behaviour against the Cairns Taipans last week (in which Seamus McPeake copped a $15,000 fine and court announcer Wayne Peterson was served a 2-game suspension), Adelaide Advertiser journo Boti Nagy has written this piece on the club.

It's very entertaining reading and tells it like it is, so I thought I'd share it:

This week those trusty Melbourne Tigers tried rocking the boat again and quite rightly copped fines of $15,000 for owner Seamus McPique, suspensions (two matches) for court announcer Wayne ``Time out, time ow, time oh'' Peterson and a knuckle rap for antsy Chris Anstey.

No fellas.

Referee abuse, finger gestures, following people into the tunnel to give them more educated advice - what is this? Soccer?

Tacky. Classless. Sadly, typical.

Those are the Tigers of this century unfortunately.

And if they're not a bunch of ``my way or the highway'' bully boys and loud mouths, it sure is how the rest of Australia perceives them these days.

Only they can change that. If they want.

Finally, Chuck Harmlessone was even stirred into action, resisting the urge to ring the Tigers and apologise for any inconvenience - old habits die hard - fining them instead.

``We need to send a clear message that we will not tolerate abuse of officials,'' Chucky reportedly said.

Translation?

``Yippee. Larry let me fine them. Larry let me fine them. I'm dancing in my undies in here.''

And not before time. (The fine, NOT dancing in his Y-fronts.)

Andrew Gaze, Lindsay Gaze, Mark Bradtke, Toli Koltuniewicz, Nigel Purchase, Warrick Giddey, Ray Tomlinson, Ian Watson, Bill Wyatt, Don't Call Me Rocky Crosswhite the random ghosts of Tigers past - can't see any of them behaving in the manner of this unfortunate ``new breed''.

Neither should the NBL.

This fine was a long time coming. I thought I'd see a Zac Delaney dunk before a meaningful Tigers' fine.

Read the full article at http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26421216-5006371,00.html

Meanwhile, former Dragons communications manager Ed Wyatt has posted his opinion on Shane Heal's comments about Cortez Groves.

Read them here: http://web.mac.com/edwyatt/Ed_Wyatt/Blog/Entries/2009/11/28_SHANE_HEAL%E2%80%99S_AT_IT_AGAIN.html