Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum unloaded on “incompetent” match officials after his NBL ladder leaders suffered an upset 92-87 loss to Melbourne United at the Snakepit on Thursday night.

Tatum was fuming about a couple of contentious fouls called in the final quarter of a see-sawing contest, in particular a line-ball ruling in favour of United’s Chris Goulding from the video referee after a collision with Illawarra’s Will Hickey.

Tatum was also tech-fouled in the final quarter for directing foul language at the referee.

“The fans pay money and want to come and see the players, not some incompetent referees that let their feelings at that time dictate the game,” he said.

Tatum said if referees were going to tech-foul coaches for sideline commentary, then that “100 per cent” needed to be enforced consistently.

“I’m intimidating,” he said. “I guess my voice is too deep, I’m tall, my skin colour is different, whatever it is, it’s me.

“Because I hear the same coaches say similar to same things, or complain about the same stuff, and their leash is a little bit longer.

“But I guess I have to be made an example of.”

Tatum added sarcastically that he was “proud” of the referees for having an impact on the game, but said Illawarra should not have put themselves in that position.

He said of Goulding: “We’re just happy Chris didn’t get hurt flopping in front of us. I’m glad he’s injury-free.”

It comes after South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari hit out at Goulding after their game last week, writing on X: “Goulding constantly flops and cries about it, that sh*t is weak.”

Goulding had the last laugh after nailing 25 points, including five successful shots from outside the paint, in a man-of-the-match display.

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman was delighted to continue his team’s impressive record against Illawarra, and his mood was further brightened by the imminent return of big guns Matthew Dellevadova and Shei Ili.

Dellevadova suited up but did not take the court after experiencing ankle discomfort in the warm-up.

“We’ll see tomorrow, after travel, but hopefully he’s a good chance to play [at home against Cairns on Sunday],” Vickerman said of the former NBA star.

New Zealand international Ili is recovering from a calf injury.

“Shei is expected to be back for the Kings game [next Thursday], but he had an exceptional workout today,” Vickerman added.

“He’s on track.”

The Hawks put up a brave fight after losing star import Trey Kell III to injury mid-game.

Kell crashed to the floor after a collision late in the second quarter and immediately limped to the dressing room in obvious distress.

He was reported to have suffered a hip injury that triggered back spasms.

Kell was courtside in a tracksuit during the latter stages of the game and commentator Derek Rucker noted the Hawks “lost all direction” when their American shooting guard was replaced.

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Despite that, Illawarra regrouped and took the game down to the wire. They had a chance to force overtime in the dying seconds, only for Todd Blanchfield’s three-point shot to rim out.

Melbourne’s win will have rekindled some unhappy memories for the Hawks, who were bundled out of last year’s semi-final series by United. Vickerman’s troops have now won seven of their past eight games against the Hawks.

The result spoiled what was shaping as the best day of Will Hickey’s basketball career.

In the countdown to the game, the Hawks announced they had re-signed the 26-year-old scrapper they call “Davo” for three more seasons.

“He’s a winner,” teammate Wani Swaka Lo Buluk said of Hickey, who had stints with both Melbourne Phoenix and United before belatedly finding his niche in Wollongong.

Entering the match midway through the first quarter, Hickey produced two early dunks and was the first player to reach double figures.

The crowd favourite proceeded to post 17 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals in a comprehensive all-round performance that deserved a better outcome.