NBL25: Fears Brisbane star Josh Bannan could miss the rest of the season allayed as Bullets in talks with league over injury exemption

Brisbane Bullets will have just nine fit bodies to take on the Wildcats, but fears a star might be done for the season have been allayed in a massive boost for a team in talks with the NBL about an injury exemption.

Injury-ravaged Brisbane is in talks with the NBL over the potential for a special exemption as it prepares to take on the league’s leading scorer Bryce Cotton and the Perth Wildcats with just seven main-roster players available.

But initial fears Josh Bannan could be done for the season have been allayed, with the star forward set to play through the pain of bone bruising after scans showed only minor damage to his ACL that specialists say can be managed.

Regulars Tyrell Harrison (concussion), Rocco Zikarsky (knee), Deng Adel (groin) and Emmett Naar (oblique) are all set to miss at least the Wildcats clash, as is development player Kye Savage (concussion).

FIBA rules state teams can play with a minimum of five players. With development players Josh Kunen and Tristan Devers, the Bullets will have nine bodies on Wednesday night.

Josh Bannan has received the best news possible on his injured knee. Picture: Getty Images

To qualify for finals a player must suit up in seven games. But, even though they have seven to play, the Bullets fall agonisingly short of being free to add an injury replacement due to a rule which stipulates players cannot be registered once a team has completed 75 per cent of their season.

The Bullets played their 22nd of 29 games against South East Melbourne on Saturday night – 75.86 per cent.

Teams can, however, request to register a player beyond that deadline in exceptional circumstances.

“We’re talking to the NBL about what we can do,” coach Justin Schueller told Code Sports.

“Technically, we’ve only got nine healthy to suit so we’re looking into is there an exemption we might be able to get to suit up someone?

“It’s an unprecedented amount of injuries.

“I thought about putting a tweet out there today to say ‘open tryouts at 2pm’ but, in all seriousness, we’ll go out there and we’ll find a way and the group’s actually excited for the challenge.”

Rocco Zikarsky is battling a sore knee. Picture: Getty Images

While it’s good news for Bannan, 7’3” Next Star Zikarsky is set for more scans on a knee injury that has hampered him in recent weeks. The teen has been listed by the club as a game-time decision but it’s understood he is unlikely to play against Perth.

The injuries to Bannan and Adel — along with the high-grade hamstring tear that ended Phoenix guard Derrick Walton Jr’s season — have been blamed, in part, on the slippery Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium court.

And, while the furious Bullets have questioned why the NBL deemed the conditions safe, the league has doubled down on the decision to go ahead with the game.

“The court and equipment for Saturday’s game met the NBL’s minimum standards and the game was conducted in line with the NBL’s rules and regulations,” a league statement read.

“We acknowledge the issues raised by Brisbane and are in communication with the club regarding those concerns.”

Mitch Norton would run through a brick wall for the Bullets. Picture: Getty Images

The Bullets’ gut-wrenching situation is reminiscent of the horrors South East Melbourne faced last season.

Schueller will lean on Bannan, Keandre Cook (groin), Josh Adams (ankle) and Mitch Norton (hand), who will play through pain alongside Casey Prather, Tohi Smith-Milner and Isaac White, with Kunen and Devers to be called up.

“Josh Adams is almost 100 per cent, so we feel pretty good about that, KeAndre’s groin is a lot better, Norto’s got a hand injury but he’ll just play through it,” Schueller said.

“Josh and Tristan will have a meaningful role and this is what we’ve spoken about all year – turn a negative into a positive.

“We’ve had times when opportunities have gone guy’s way where big things have happened.

“Batemon has his 51 (against Perth) on the back of Casey (Prather) missing out right before tip-off.

“Casey goes to the four (power forward) when Bannan’s out and starts this incredible run he’s on.

“So we’ve been able to turn negatives into positives and that’s what we’re looking for in this.”

Originally published as NBL25: Fears Brisbane star Josh Bannan could miss the rest of the season allayed as Bullets in talks with league over injury exemption