'A complete attack on my character': Canberra Capitals fire back at Perth Lynx

Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik was quoted in The West Australian urging his players to avoid contracting COVID-19 ahead of their WNBL grand final series against the Melbourne Boomers.

Petrik referenced a social media post from Capitals guard Cubillo, who was pictured dining outdoors at a Victorian restaurant which is allowed under the league's COVID-19 protocols.

"We've been lucky that we've seen the examples of other clubs and what not to do," Petrik told The West Australian's The Dribble Podcast.

"You were able to go onto a Canberra players' social media account and see what they've been up to and now the Canberra players are complaining the league hasn't been fair to them."

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It is believed a Perth player recently dined outdoors with a Canberra player in line with league protocols, sparking questions among Capitals players and staff as to why the story would target Cubillo.

Now Cubillo's current and former teammates have come out swinging, with ex-Capital turned Sydney Flames star Keely Froling putting the heat on Perth.

Commenting on a post from Capitals captain Kelsey Griffin which showed WNBL protocols state dining outdoors is allowed, Froling tagged the Perth Lynx Instagram handle and wrote: "Your coach and players were using the public gym in Sydney and using Ubers which is against the guidelines, any comment on that or were you hoping that wouldn't be mentioned?"

Cubillo says the article is "clutching at straws".

"I am not one to kick up a stink but this is a complete attack on my character," Cubillo wrote on Instagram.

"I have never once broken WNBL protocol. If you know me then you know that I hold myself to the highest moral standard. Clearly the pictures demonstrate that I am outdoors.

"I would never put my teammates, support staff, myself or the kids at my work at risk."

Fuming Capitals players and coaches say they have been "backed into a corner" by the WNBL and their title dream shattered by the league's mismanagement of a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Capitals withdrew from the finals after a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad saw eight players contract the virus and send the entire squad into isolation.

WNBL officials ruled game two of Canberra's semi-final series against Perth would be rescheduled for Wednesday April 6 in Canberra, before backflipping and moving the game to Perth. Most Capitals players - but not all - were due to come out of isolation on April 4.

Capitals officials opted to put the welfare of their players first, refusing to send a team to Perth amid concern they would not be physically fit to play.

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