Grant will today face a misconduct hearing after the league's disciplinary officer ruled that she had a case to answer following an official complaint from Bredin over the Silver Ferns defender's actions following the Pulse's round 12 draw with the Southern Steel.
The Pulse skipper was seen on the television coverage immediately after the game angrily remonstrating with Bredin, who awarded the Steel a penalty shot under the post to draw the match. Bredin called a contact on Grant in the dying seconds of regular time as she attempted a late intercept.
Unimpressed with Grant's reaction to the call - which amounted to little more than a shocked expression - Bredin advanced the penalty into the shooting circle, giving the Steel shooter Brooke Leaver a chance to snatch the draw. Leaver's shot was off target but was rebounded by 1.98m Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid who slotted the goal on fulltime.
Grant went straight to Bredin to protest the call, delivering what is understood to be a heated exchange. Netball New Zealand umpiring manager Colleen Bond was forced to step in and order Grant away.
The hearing will take place today, with possible sanctions including a fine or suspension. It is the first time a player has faced a misconduct hearing in eight seasons of the league.
Last week Mainland Tactix coach Sue Hawkins was issued with a reprimand by the league office after criticising the umpiring in a sideline interview during her side's 68-49 loss to the Swifts. But with Grant's very public display of dissent at the more serious end of the scale, it is difficult to see her escaping sanction.
Grant's outburst was perhaps symptomatic of a long and frustrating season for the Pulse. The round 12 match against the Steel was a must-win if they were to scrape into the New Zealand conference finals.
After blowing that opportunity and then dipping out to the Magic on Monday night, the Wellington-based side look set to once again miss out on the playoffs.
The Pulse are viewed as ungracious and arrogant, quick to deflect the blame for their own poor performances. Retiring coach Robyn Broughton's replacement - believed to be former Silver Fern defender Tanya Dearns - has a massive task to fix the culture at the Pulse.
An announcement confirming Dearns as the new coach is expected this week.
- By Dana Johannsen of the New Zealand Herald
