Harry Froling hits out at Brisbane Bullets for lack of support following one-punch attack

The Brisbane Bullets have pledged to help Harry Froling in his recovery from a horror one-punch attack while rejecting claims from the NBL big man.

Harry Froling may never play basketball again following a one-punch attack - and he believes his former club - the Brisbane Bullets - have also let him down with a lack of support. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

The Brisbane Bullets deny the franchise failed to contact Harry Froling following his life-threatening one-punch attack, but have declared a desire to assist the big man in his recovery.

New Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts shot down Froling’s claim that club officials didn’t reach out post his alleged assault, which resulted in a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and an uncertain playing future.

Watts confirmed multiple members of the Brisbane club had engaged in dialogue with the veteran centre – and the Bullets are determined to help him moving forward.

“Look, I feel for the guy,” Watts said on SEN Radio on Wednesday.

“He has gone through a unique situation and is suffering an injury that is quite long-term.

“In terms of the lack of contact, there has been contact from different people within the club.

“That said, he is feeling a certain way and clearly there has to be an opportunity to jump on that and see what we can do to help with his recovery.

“From my position, we have care for all our past players. A project we are working on at the moment is actually how we engage, keep in contact and bring them back into the fold.”

On Monday, Froling hit out at his former club for what he believes is a lack of support following the life-threatening one-punch attack.

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

Froling faces the prospect of never playing competitive basketball again as he recovers from a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

He is yet to be medically cleared for physical activity after sustaining shocking injuries in an alleged assault on the NSW south coast in January.

Froling was knocked unconscious in the alleged attack in Wollongong on January 22 at 2.40am, following Brisbane’s clash against the Illawarra Hawks.

The four-club veteran has spent the past seven months recovering, but is still no closer to a comeback.

Froling took to his Twitter to criticise the Bullets for failing to reach out to him post the one-punch attack.

“Since my injury I haven’t had one message from the Brisbane Bullets,” Froling tweeted.

“Only people I hear from are my former teammates and Sammy Mack (ex-Bullets GM of Basketball and coach), and other NBL clubs.

“Heard from Fordey (coach Adam Forde) in Cairns, Simon Mitchell, Phoenix, Illawarra, Sydney were checking in and always asking/offering help with neurological advice.

“Bullets not a word from, and I even had a team option this year. Guess it just shows why the club is the way it is.

“Makes you wonder what goes on in those offices. Not even a message asking if I would like access to the gym, or physio.”

Harry Froling in action for the Bullets. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

Froling also said the Bullets had failed to back pay private health, which he claims impacted multiple players, including himself.

“When our private health (paid by the club) had to be back paid to December, as the club forgot to pay it resulting in a bunch of guys running around without private health for months, including myself at the time of my (one-punch) injury,” he said.

“Just letting off some steam. Rant over. For now.”

Code Sports also contacted the ABPA (Australian Basketball Players’ Association) for comment.

The Players’ Association has been assisting Froling as much as it can within the CBA framework, however it’s understood there is no financial or work cover for the centre’s situation under the current contract system.

Hospitalised in the wake of the attack, Froling discharged himself the next morning, flew home to Brisbane, and then attended hospital there after complaining of headaches.

It was there that the extent of his injuries became clear, and he had immediate surgery after suffering a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

Harry Froling is fighting to save his basketball career following a one-punch attack. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Froling says he had no recollections of the scary ordeal post the one-punch attack.

“Don’t remember anything from midnight Saturday to Wednesday, don’t remember being in hospital, don’t remember flying,” he said.

“I was in autopilot mode for those that say I shouldn’t have flown, I had a huge brain bleed and was acting on a schedule/autopilot mode off with the pixies.”

Froling has proven he belongs on the professional stage following successful stints with Townsville, Adelaide, Illawarra and Brisbane dating back to 2016.

It’s understood a number of clubs have expressed interest in the 154-game big man if he can gain medical approval to play.

Originally published as Harry Froling hits out at Brisbane Bullets for lack of support following one-punch attack