Shane Heal WNBL latest: Legend slams critic of daughter’s Sydney Flames departure

Shane Heal has responded to claims that his daughter’s move from the Sydney Flames to the Townsville Fire “doesn’t pass the pub test”.

Shane Heal has revealed his daughter’s departure from the Sydney Flames is unrelated to the club’s investigation involving the Boomers great.

Heal, an Australian basketball legend, has not coached Sydney’s WNBL side since January 15 and it has since emerged the Flames have launched an investigation.

Neither the Flames, nor Heal, have revealed the nature of the investigation.

The Sydney Kings legend maintained his silence via the Basketball Show on Monday.

“No updates,” Heal said when asked about the Flames’ independent investigation on him.

“Director Dave said I was too jovial when I had to discuss it last week (on the show).

“The facts are that I’ve been handed a piece of paper and I’m not allowed to say one word.

“That is all I’m allowed to say.”

Heal did address his daughter Shyla leaving the Flames to sign with the Townsville Fire, where she played in 2020 and led the Fire to a grand final series.

Shyla Heal defected to the Fire last week. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty

Shyla and Shane were in the second season of a three-year deal with Sydney until January 18 when the club announced via Twitter that Shane was unavailable to coach against the Southside Flyers and Shyla would not play due to personal reasons.

When asked if Shyla’s mid-season signing with the Fire was a separate issue to his investigation with the Flames, Heal senior replied: “100 per cent.”

Heal went on to praise his replacement at the Flames, Opals legend Shelley Gorman, after she recorded her first win as a head coach against the Southside Flyers over the weekend.

Gorman has been named interim coach in Heal’s absence.

“What I do want to say is a big congrats to my old mate, Shelley Gorman,” Heal said.

“She has taken over, she got her first win and the team treated her like they should with a celebration.

“She is a champion person and a champion basketball player and now hopefully a coach.

“Someone needs to pick her up next year – she is a superstar.”

Heal has not coached the Flames since January 15. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty

Meanwhile, Shyla Heal’s Townsville signing has sparked strong criticism from Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik.

Upon signing last week, it was outlined that Heal must play in the Fire’s seven remaining games to qualify at the 11th hour for finals.

Petrik recently questioned Townsville’s securing Heal’s signature.

“If it’s legal, it’s legal but I don’t think the average fan thinks it passes the pub test,” Petrik said.

Heal provided a strong response when asked about Petrik’s comments on this week’s Basketball Show.

“It’s not a trade – every team has the opportunity to be able to sign a free agent if they can make the playoffs,” he said.

⛹ Should players be allowed to switch teams mid-season to play finals?🤔

🏀Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik concedes the decision to allow Shyla Heal to switch teams was above board, but claims it would not pass "the pub test" with #WNBL fans.

📰 https://t.co/VGg8JRH4st#WeAreWNBLpic.twitter.com/TFCw9WnM2J

— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) February 2, 2023

“What does the pub test mean? I mean, it reeks of sour grapes. They lost two games and now he is crying about the result.

“If it is within the rules, I just don’t understand what the pub test means.

“If there are two pissed guys in a pub speaking about something that they don’t have any idea about, then you are going to come up with the conclusion that he (Ryan did).”

Heal, however, conceded the WNBL’s rules around free agency must be addressed.

“The WNBL needs to look at a time that free agents can sign,” he said.

“If a team only has five games left in a season and another team has seven, that is where it disadvantages some teams that couldn’t sign a free agent based on the scheduling.

“That is where there is an inconsistency, but as far as the rule stands, everything is above board.”

Originally published as Shane Heal WNBL latest: Legend slams critic of daughter’s Sydney Flames departure