Creek, Peatling make up after NBL melee meltdown

South East Melbourne Phoenix star Mitch Creek says he and Melbourne United forward Mason Peatling have made up and moved on from their melee in the first Throwdown earlier this season.

Creek’s dunk over Matthew Dellavedova and Peatling’s fiery response set off a melee and cooled relations between the two Melbourne clubs, but Creek said he and Peatling had moved on ahead of the third Throwdown of the season at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

Neither player had any run-ins when the two clubs played last month and Creek said he had apologised to Peatling for tagging him in an online video of the dunk following the game.

“That was immature but at the time, it was like ‘stuff you guys’,” Creek told Phoenix media.

“When I first got the chance, in person, to speak to Mason, I said ‘hey man, there’s no hard feelings. I’m sorry for what I posted’. He kind of said the same thing and he apologised for his actions and said ‘I wasn’t trying to hurt you or anything’. It was nice.”

Melbourne United’s players have been criticised by coach Dean Vickerman for not doing enough homework following their 97-87 loss to title contenders Perth Wildcats on Thursday night.

Mitchell Creek and Mason Peatling collide in the Throwdown. Credit:Getty Images

Wildcats guard Mitch Norton (26 points) and import forward Vic Law (20 points, 18 rebounds) took the game away from United and Vickerman said his side wasn’t focused on how to shut down their opponents.

“Mindset,” Vickerman said when asked what had to improve.

“We had a poor practice leading into to this game and I thought some people floated around like we had done something and didn’t take care of their own business.

“That is being as prepared as they can with their own scouting. Not just accepting what their coaches gives them, to go home and do their homework and do the extra work that has allowed us to be the best defensive team in the league.

“We weren’t that tonight and we didn’t have people do their job defensively. Hopefully, it’s a good kick in the arse. But I hate this – we try and prepare this team so they don’t need a kick in the arse to play better.”

NBL Round 15

Thursday
Perth Wildcats 97 d Melbourne United 87

Friday
Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers, Cairns Convention Centre, 7.30pm
The JackJumpers are still learning how to win consistently on the road so they would love to claim this win in the far north.

Saturday
Brisbane Bullets v Perth Wildcats, Nissan Arena, 5.30pm
The Wildcats will aim to keep the momentum going as they back-up from Thursday night’s win over Melbourne. Wildcats star Vic Law will face his former club and shapes as a key player.

New Zealand Breakers v Adelaide 36ers, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 8pm
Both clubs are desperate for wins after four straight losses. Adelaide would hate to drop a game in their home city even with the Breakers as home team.

Sunday
Tasmania JackJumpers v Illawarra Hawks, MyState Bank Arena, 1pm
The Hawks had a statement win over the Phoenix last Sunday; now they need to back it up against a pesky JackJumpers who won’t go down easy.

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United, John Cain Arena, 3pm
The Throwdown hits game three and both clubs are asking questions after recent losses.

Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings, Cairns Convention Centre, 5.30pm
Sydney has won some close games in recent weeks, now they go on the road and they won’t want to give the Taipans a chance to cause the upset.

Monday

New Zealand Breakers v Perth Wildcats, MyState Bank Arena, 7.30pm
The Wildcats need every win they can get as they remain in a three-way battle to finish in top spot, the Breakers are still dangerous when their shots are falling so Perth needs to lock them down.

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