‘A punch is a punch’: Harry Froling slams NBL’s sanction of Gary Browne

Harry Froling was left with bleeding on the brain and a fractured skull after an alleged one-punch attack in Wollongong in January. He’s slammed the NBL over their sanction of Gary Browne.

One-punch attack victim Harry Froling has slammed the NBL after South East Melbourne import Gary Browne avoided suspension for striking Brisbane big man Aron Baynes.

Froling, who was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain following an alleged attack in a street in Wollongong in January, said “a punch is a punch” and Browne’s one-game suspension — reduced to a $1550 fine on account of an early guilty plea — for the Saturday night brain fade “sets a bad precedent”.

Browne’s victim Baynes, earlier this season, was suspended for five games over three separate incidents, including a halftime run-in with Cairns coach Adam Forde, in an October 7 loss to the Taipans.

It’s the second time Browne has been fined, after a near-identical incident earlier in November when he gave Adelaide’s big Kiwi Tohi Smith-Milner some knuckle.

Former Bullet Froling, who has not played since the January 2023 incident, took to Twitter to slam the disparity in the penalties for the two incidents.

“I think the NBL has it wrong giving Baynes 5 games and only giving Browne 1 game,” Froling wrote.

I think the NBL has it wrong giving Baynes 5 games and only giving Browne 1 game. A punch is a punch. Sets a bad precedent and smells a bit fishy to me, using Baynesy to make a point, but not bringing the hammer down on Browne is wrong especially a second striking incident.

— Harry Froling (@HarryFroling) December 31, 2023

“A punch is a punch. Sets a bad precedent and smells a bit fishy to me.

“Using Baynesy to make a point, but not bringing the hammer down on Browne is wrong, especially a second striking incident.”

Down seven with a tick under seven minutes to go in the game, Browne was hammered by a typically physical Baynes’ screen that walked the line of legality, before lashing out in frustration, his blow connecting with the big man’s midsection.

As Baynes hit the deck, Browne appeared to immediately grasp the seriousness of his action, throwing his hands up, and he was subsequently ejected from the 95-83 loss.

Harry Frolling bears the scars of surgery to repair his fractured skull and alleviate bleeding on the brain. Picture: Shane Froling/Twitter

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican is a popular figure in The Heartland and a genuine nice guy but It’s the second time this season he has lashed out on the court.

The NBL Game Review Panel’s decision has divided NBL fans and officials alike, with some calling for a stiffer punishment. It determined the incident, described by Phoenix coach Mike Kelly as “bonehead” “selfish” and “out-of-character”, was intentional, medium impact and low contact.

The panel, under NBL rules, did not take into account the November incident involving Smith-Milner.

It means Browne will be free to suit up for the slumping Phoenix in their next outing against Illawarra on January 5.

Originally published as ‘A punch is a punch’: Harry Froling slams NBL’s sanction of Gary Browne