Melbourne United defensive star Shea Ili firms to return from concussion for game five of the NBL grand final series

Having missed the past two grand final games, Melbourne United’s two time NBL defensive player of the year, Shea Ili is firming to return from concussion for the crucial game five.

Concussed Melbourne United star Shea Ili is firming to play in Melbourne United’s game five NBL grand final decider against Illawarra.

The league’s reigning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year has not played since the second quarter of game two of the series, when he copped an accidental elbow from Hawk tyro Will Hickey.

Given the Kiwi wrecking ball’s long history of concussion-related issues, the 32-year-old was ruled out of games three and four – which United split – as the club took an ultra-conservative approach when he developed delayed symptoms.

NBL Defensive player of the year Shea Ili is firming to return for United in game five. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

But Code Sports can reveal the 32-year-old Kiwi, on Friday, took part in his first contact practice session with teammates and, while he’s yet to be officially cleared by United medicos, there is an optimism he will be able to suit up and play a role for United.

Coach Dean Vickerman told Code Sports his star stopper was “looking good”.

“Shea, he got through his contact scrimmage today and things are going positive there,” Vickerman said.

“It’s not ticked off yet but, to me, it’s looking good.”

Vickerman identified a “fatigue factor” in United’s inability to close out the grand final series on their home floor, an issue Ili’s availability would go some way to remedying.

“If Shea plays it can help rest some other people, take away some of that fatigue and then him doing the things he does so well,” Vickerman said.

United captain Chris Goulding said Ili was “progressing well” in his recovery and hoped to have his running mate on the floor at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Shea Ili has been absent since game two due to a concussion. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“There are things Shea does on a basketball court that not a lot of people can do,” Goulding said.

“As far as I know, he’s progressing well.

“If he plays, we’ll be really happy about that and it will be huge for us but, if he doesn’t, we’ve shown that we can win without him and we’ll be determined to do that again.”

Illawarra has its own injury woes and will be without key big man Sam Froling after he suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon in game four.

Hawks coach Justin Tatum is optimistic All NBL First-Team guard Trey Kell will be able to go after he missed game four with a banged up knee.

“Trey should be OK by Sunday, should be,” Tatum said.

“He’s a competitor. I’m sure, at the end of the day, nobody wants not to play in the grand final championship game.”

The series heads to the ‘Gong on Sunday tied at 2-2, the winner of the 2.30pm game to seal the NBL25 championship.

Originally published as Melbourne United defensive star Shea Ili firms to return from concussion for game five of the NBL grand final series