{"id":472063,"date":"2026-02-11T04:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T04:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/472063\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T04:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T04:23:09","slug":"no-backward-step-goorjian-defiant-regrets-expletives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/472063\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018No backward step\u2019: Goorjian defiant, regrets expletives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday\u2019s game between South East Melbourne and Sydney at John Cain Arena was one of the most explosive fixtures to date.<\/p>\n

From the end-to-end action to the fiery altercations, the blockbuster had it all.<\/p>\n

A big part of that contest was the altercation between Kings coach Brian Goorjian and the Phoenix’s Owen Foxwell, in which the former said \u2018f you\u2019 three times, seemingly incensed by something the young star had said.<\/p>\n

Since then, many, including NBL commentator Derek Rucker<\/a>, Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari<\/a> and Kings co-owner and assistant coach Andrew Bogut<\/a>, have weighed in on the matter.<\/p>\n

Despite the fallout, Goorjian has stood by his actions, albeit conceding he was \u201cdisappointed\u201d with the language he used to make his point.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m the head of the dog, and we knew going in that it was going to be a physical game, and we weren\u2019t willing to take a backward step,\u201d Goorjian said on the Big Sports Brekky<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw that they were trying to lay him on the floor every chance they could, so it\u2019s up to me to show that I\u2019ve got his [and all my guys] backs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have to know, if they\u2019re going to throw one, we\u2019re not going anywhere and will throw one back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know their coach [Josh King] has come out and said he [Owen Foxwell] didn\u2019t cross the line, but from where I was, he came across and gave a spray, so I went straight back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince then, I\u2019ve had a lot of comments from the guys on my team, as well as ex-players, supporting me, because I feel it\u2019s my job to have their backs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I am disappointed in is the language I used. I could have used better.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it was a fist fight, and I have no remorse for what went down.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It\u2019s this mentality that has helped the Harbour City side catapult to second on the ladder, after winning 14 of the past 16 contests.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I came here, we wanted to make Sydney a winner [again] and after two years in the doldrums, it\u2019s time [for us to achieve that],\u201d Goorjian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love this group we\u2019ve put together and all its pieces. They\u2019ve all been selected for these moments.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Heading into these final few games and Finals] it\u2019s now D-Day and time for us to step up.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth the Hawks and Wildcats are talented teams, so it\u2019s important we stay focused and locked in on doing our jobs, and do everything we can to bring that championship to Sydney.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kings return to the hardwood on Friday night in Wollongong, for an all-NSW clash with Illawarra from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.<\/p>\n

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