'Refs have hardest job': But critique still matters

• ‍NBL import Andrew Andrews: 'Doesn’t seem to be any consistency in how the game is being called'‍
• Justin Tatum claims “entities try to shut us down” as Illawarra’s NBL26 title defence falters‍
• Box Scores: All 165 games of the 2025-26 NBL season

Full disclosure: I was terrible at handling my emotions as player towards referees both as a junior and senior player at representative levels.

Technical fouls, ill-discipline hurt my teams and reputation (constantly) but I convinced myself playing angry was the only way I could compete at a high level.

Referees were always wrong, I was always hard done by and they impacted my performance or the outcome of the game.

Thirty years is a long time to ponder that type of thinking and behaviour. Of course, I was wrong. Age and wisdom prove that out 100 times over.

"I understand it from the refs’ point of view, from other players, from coaches," Cairns Taipans American guard Andrew Andrews said after head coach Adam Forde was ejected on back-to-back technical fouls against the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at HoopsFest in Perth.

"It’s a highly emotional game. Refs have the hardest job in basketball. No matter what they call, they’re going to be looked at like they’re wrong."

He is absolutely right.

Nowadays my players are banned from talking back to the referees, get benched for very rare technicals fouls and, unfortunately, I've received two in more than five years as a head coach for asking once too many times for a call. Another was on our bench, which I took responsibility. I reflected on them all and apologised to the specific referee that called them after the game.

But I can understand just minutes after the final buzzer Forde, Andrews and Illawarra Hawks head coach Justin Tatum venting their collective frustrations, aggrieved at their perception of whistles going against them at 2026 HoopsFest in Perth.

NBL26 By the Numbers

More often than not, it's not the lack of calls but the when. Most coaches take the good with bad but emotions tip on those key-moment calls that unfortunately are a precursor to a momentum swing or scoring run.

Both Cairns and Illawarra go to the line two times less than the league average and nearly a foul or more committed above it in NBL26.

Perth (23.8) and Melbourne (23.5) get to the line the most while Adelaide has the highest foul differential. The 36ers shoot 22.7 attempts per game and give up just up 17.1 (+5.6) on the defensive side of the ball. Cairns is -1.1 and Illawarra -1.5.

These numbers are only part of the story though. Both Cairns and Illawarra have battled injuries and line-up changes, which make it difficult to build chemistry on both sides of the ball.

In NBL25, the Hawks were the best defensive team in the league. They averaged 18.8 fouls per game and 22.3 FTA (+3.4) while the Taipans averaged 18 fouls per game and and 21.5 FTA (+3.5).

Both the Taipans are struggling this season. Cairns (7-18) is in a fight for the wooden spoon with the Brisbane Bullets (6-20) while Illawarra (8-16) is in a fight to keep its title defense alive.

Sir Alex Ferguson was a master at distraction as he led Manchester United to more than 25 years of unrivaled success in the English Premier League. Referees were often his target to distract from a poor performance.

Coaches use every tool at their disposal to get an edge for the next game, the next call, to show support for their players to build trust and to show loyalty.

Are Forde, Andrews and Tatum right for using their post game press conferences to air grievances? Yes, they are.

We want coaches and players to be honest. Their jobs are measured on wins and losses, players pay packets are determined by makes and misses. Does one call determine the outcome of a game, very rarely, because there are literally thousands of other moments of success or failure that determine the result.

A missed box out, a missed lay-up, going under a screen instead of over it, a missed throw ... dozens are reasons why all within the control of every player on the floor.

Fortunately, I spent time as a sports psychologist at the height of my mania who taught me this valuable phrase: "Control the Controllables".

Referees and the calls they make fall well and truly outside that. What was and remains is how to respond, now I teach: "Next three steps".

What happens in the next three steps after a mistake, a missed call or bad call determines the outcome of the next play, what could be a winning play.

Staying focused, driving through those next three steps to get back on defense is a winning play. Stopping to wallow or argue is not.

"I’m not taking it personal or thinking refs are out to get me," Andrews said last night.

"I just need consistency so I know how to play.

"I love the league. I love the play style. I love the teams, the competitiveness. I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Cairns.

"For sure I’d give the league another shot. It’s nothing personal. We’re playing a game. Within that game you just want consistency."

Andrews used the press conference the right way, expressed his opinion and recognised the challenge referees face on every play.

The NBL is a make or miss league not just for the players.

About the Author

Peter Brown is the head coach of the Sydney Comets Women’s Youth League team in the Waratah Basketball League in NSW. He is also the assistant coach for the Comets NBL1 women’s team in the NBL East Conference. Peter is a 35-year journalist, starting as a sports reporter at the NT News in the early 1990s. He played junior basketball for the Northern Territory at national championships from U16 to U20 and for the Territory’s senior men’s team at numerous international tournaments. Peter has been a basketball fan since the early 80s, especially the NBA. Basketball is his passion — and his opinions his own. Email peter.brown@basketball.com.au with feedback.