Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson details the true extent of team’s horror injuries after losing NBL grand final to Melbourne United

Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson has paid tribute to his players for their courage and refusal to quit in the face of adversity after being swept aside by Melbourne United following the 81-76 loss in game three of the NBL grand final series. The Wildcats entered the play-offs having to find a way to replace three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton but then lost Mitch Norton (hip), Clint Steindl (groin) and Luke Travers (calf) during the finals. With Will Magnay, Jesse Wagstaff and Kevin White unable to train during the week, the Wildcats were the walking wounded. But they all took the court and were just three points down with less than 10 seconds remaining. Gleeson said the players had performed at an extraordinary level given the pain they were in. “We were undermanned. We were stretched really thin,” Gleeson said. “We had guys coming into the game injured but we kept on playing and fighting, showing that grit, determination and toughness. I’m just so proud of the boys. “Mitch is just a warrior. He couldn’t practice at all. He was getting injected before the game and we couldn’t get it done down here properly so he could only play a half. “Luke did that calf and it was a grade-two tear to be out for three or four weeks. “I was still doubtful Clint was going to play but we had a talk and said we’d sit him in the corner and play him for one or two minutes. We had other guys injured as well. “We only could train with seven out of 15 the other day. We were trying to put band aids on everything. There was a lot of damage.” Gleeson was adamant the injuries shouldn’t detract from Melbourne United’s win and said they deserved to win the championship. United finished the season on top of the table, the championship winning game was their first match in Victoria since May 16 and the team endured COVID-19 ripping through the group last year. Jock Landale won the Larry Sengstock Medal after scoring 44 points and winning 33 rebounds across the three games. “He’s the ultimate competitor,” Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said. “He was on a mission. He wants to go to the next level. He wants to win an (Olympic) medal, he wants to be in the NBA and he was driven all year. You need people like that to win a championship.” The Wildcats will remain in Victoria until Sunday when they return home to enter home quarantine.