Era over as Australia’s men’s wheelchair basketball team miss the medals

COACH Ben Ettridge concedes the Rollers “didn’t pay the jersey enough respect” as they leave the Paralympics without a medal for the first time in 16 years.

Britain's Ian Sagar, center, is blocked by Australian players Shaw Russel and Bradley Ness as the Rollers bowed out of medal contention in Rio.

COACH Ben Ettridge concedes the Rollers “didn’t pay the jersey enough respect” on their way to a shock quarter-final loss that has left Australia’s wheelchair basketball side without a Paralympic Games medal for the first time in 16 years.

The Rollers crashed out in their first match of the elimination round, stunned by a 74-51 defeat to Great Britain.

The 23-point loss was a crushing exit for a side that has reached the gold-medal match at each of the past three Paralympics, including winning gold in 2008.

The two-time defending world champions had set themselves for a return to the top step, fuelled by the memories of losing to Canada in the Games final in London in 2012.

But Ettridge said it was not the absence of a medal that would hurt for the next four years, but the reality they failed to live up to the unit’s internal standard when it counted.

“If you ask them what they’re most disappointed about, it’s that they didn’t go out and play true Rollers basketball like the 74 other men that have put on a Rollers jersey before us,” Ettridge said.

“That’s the part that’s going to be stinging for us, that they didn’t pay the jersey enough respect to go out and play for 40 minutes because that’s what means more to us.

“Gold medals are great, but it’s going to battle with your mates, doing for your mate; that’s what these guys really get around.”

The Rollers led by as much as seven points early in the second quarter, before Great Britain went on a seven-point run to tie up the contest.

Even with a two-point lead at the half, Australia could not shake the Brits.

After half-time Great Britain dropped the hammer – and Australia dropped the ball.

Placed under severe scoring pressure, passes stopped sticking for the Aussies and, even when they did, the baskets refused to go.

At the other end, the Brits created more chances to shoot, and they seized them.

Ettridge addressed his shattered group on court following the loss.

“There’s 18 of us all feeling the same way,” he said. “You accept 1/18th of the glory when you win a medal and you accept 1/18th of the pain when you get defeated.

“We’re going to share this and all take it on board. The most important thing for the guys to remember is they’ve got 17 guys who love them to death.

“We’re a family, and their families are feeling the same way. Someone once told me, no-one died. So that’s a good thing, and the sun’s going to come up tomorrow.”

Australia now plays off for fifth spot early Sunday morning (EST).

Originally published as Era over as Australia’s men’s wheelchair basketball team miss the medals