NBL introduce challenge system for Goorjian and fellow coaches

Illawarra Hawks' Brian Goorjian and his counterparts will have the ability to dispute decisions during NBL22 after the league officially introduced its coach's challenge system on Monday.

Each team will be entitled to one coach’s challenge per game and retain it until a challenge is unsuccessful.

A coach can only challenge a personal foul called on their team, or an out of bounds at any stage of the game.

All other events, including non-calls, fouls by the opposition team, violations, act of shooting situations, unsportsmanlike fouls, technical fouls, or situations already covered by the IRS replay system, cannot be challenged.

If a coach still has their challenge to use at the end of full time, then it can be carried into overtime.

To request a challenge, a coach must first call a timeout, and as such, must have at least one timeout remaining in the relevant period.

If a challenge is unsuccessful, the coach cannot make a challenge for the rest of the game.

“The coach’s challenge introduces an all-new strategic element for coaches to consider,” NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

“It will foster greater transparency around referee’s decisions and give fans an insight into the reasoning behind calls.

“We have studied the NBA’s coach’s challenge system closely and spoken with them about how the system is best implemented and are grateful for those insights.”

All decisions resulting from a coach’s challenge will be made by an official in the NBL Replay Centre. 

The NBL22 season tips-off on Friday night when the Tasmania JackJumpers host the Brisbane Bullets at MyState Bank Arena at 7:30pm AEDT followed by the Perth Wildcats facing the Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena at 9:30pm AEDT.

The Hawks will begin their NBL22 flight on Sunday, when they travel to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and take on the 36ers.

Matches this season will be available ESPN via Kayo, Foxtel and 10 Peach.

To join the Hawks' family for the NBL22 season, visit: hawks.com.au/memberships