Ryan Broekhoff says SEM Phoenix got honest, then got on with it after loss to Melbourne United

The panic button hasn’t been hit, but home truths have helped SEM Phoenix refocus after recent fadeouts put their NBL finals hopes in jeopardy, injured star Ryan Broekhoff says.

Injured South East Melbourne star Ryan Broekhoff says the Phoenix entered practice this week with a “bad taste in their mouth” after a stunning capitulation against Melbourne United.

After surrendering a double-digit lead late to their cross-town foe, Broekhoff says his teammates used an honesty session to quickly put the loss behind them and focus on Thursday night’s clash with Illawarra.

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“Unfortunately that’s been a couple of important games this season where we have put ourselves in a really good position and not been able to execute and finish off,” Broekhoff said.

“It’s something we addressed with video and some open discussions so hopefully we have learned from that and don’t have those lapses going forward.

Ryan Broekhoff has been a force on the glass for the Phoenix. Picture: Getty Images

“The leaders within the team have always stressed that it’s an open safe environment for people to be able to speak their mind and share their opinions and that’s what it was, talking through what we were trying to achieve.

“It was very constructive, a lot was brought up and discussed and it’s important to have a culture like that where you can speak and really delve deep into what we’re doing and not feel like it’s personal attack or guys revert back into themselves, being afraid to talk up or pissed at being called out.

“Everyone left a little bit lighter and Tuesday’s session was very upbeat and they’re very excited for the challenge coming up.”

WATCH THE MOMENT BROEKHOFF WAS INJURED IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

That challenge involves a trip to Wollongong without Broekhoff, who will miss a month with an injured shoulder joint after he clattered into fellow Boomer Matthew Dellavedova. Scans, on Monday, revealed a grade 2 acromioclavicular (AC) joint strain.

“We collided and I had trouble lifting my arm immediately after,” he said.

“I was hoping it was just a stinger where it goes a little bit dead and then comes back but I didn’t have any strength to lift it up.”

Broekhoff’s heavy lifting falls on the shoulders of Reuben Te Rangi. Picture: Getty Images

Cam Gliddon’s shooting becomes even more vital with Broekhoff on the sidelines.

The timing of Broekhoff’s injury couldn’t be worse for a Phoenix side left smarting after a pair of losses knocked them down to fourth on the NBL ladder.

In tough times, though, hope springs, with Broekhoff confident swingmen Reuben Te Rangi and Cam Gliddon can step up to fill the gaping void left by a man who was leading the Phoenix in rebounding and arguably its best wing defender.

Losses to the Hawks Thursday and Sydney Saturday would tip the Phoenix out of the four and leave them in danger of missing the finals. The Hawks are fifth, while the Kings, winners of seven straight games, leapfrogged South East Melbourne into third on the weekend.

But Broekhoff said no one in the Phoenix camp was hitting the panic button.

“It’s two important games in the scheme of things, given they are against two teams who are similarly placed to us right now,” he said.

“But it’s been preparation as per usual, with a focus on making sure that we are learning from our mistakes from the last few games and rectifying those.”

Big blow for Phoenix, Rowdy

South East Melbourne has been rocked by news star shooter Ryan Broekhoff will miss a month through injury.

The 31-year-old suffered a grade 2 AC sprain in the Phoenix’s fade-out loss to Melbourne United on Sunday.

“It was a hit to the AC joint and we tried to give it a go,” Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell said.

“You could see, even in the warm-ups going into the second half, he was having a little bit of trouble lifting that arm, so it was time to get him out.”

It is a bitter blow for a side that has suffered back-to-back losses and dropped to fourth on the NBL ladder.

Ryan Broekhoff will miss a month through injury. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Phoenix will lean heavily on defensive dynamo Reuben Te Rangi to step into the starting line up, while Broekhoff’s shoulder woe should give sharpshooter Cam Gliddon an opportunity to carve out more minutes.

Mitchell is under no illusions as to the importance of his side’s upcoming NSW swing.

Failures against Illawarra and Sydney this week would push Phoenix out of the top four.

“We’re well aware of the scenario that’s ahead of us,” Mitchell said after United came home like a tornado to run over the top of a Phoenix side that looked to have the game won when it led by 12 with eight minutes to go.

“We’ll head up to Sydney and it’s a great opportunity.

Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell said late-game fade-outs had become ‘endemic’ for the Phoenix. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“I’m not going up there with any trepidation – I go up there with full expectation to play to the best of our ability and coming home with wins.”

Mitchell said lulls and late-game fade-outs had become “endemic” for the Phoenix.

“We’re continuing to work on it,” he said.

“We get a nice little lead and we’re unable to hold on.

“Teams are able to run us out of our structures down the stretch and it was a tremendously disappointing way to finish off a good game (against United).”

The Phoenix led by double digits late in the third quarter of their March 6 fade-out against the Hawks and will have a little revenge on their mind on Thursday’s trip.