Raul Neto’s half-time exit against Perth looked like another blow for Brisbane’s already stretched backcourt. A day later, the picture is considerably brighter: coach Will Weaver says the Brazilian guard was held out as a precaution after feeling tightness and was feeling fine when they spoke after the game.
That update, reported in the NBL’s 5 November account, changes the conversation before Saturday’s visit to Melbourne United. Neto is not confirmed to play, but the coach’s explanation is a welcome departure from the uncertainty that followed Wednesday’s 109–104 victory. A precautionary withdrawal is not the same thing as a diagnosed injury, and Brisbane have not issued a definitive Saturday availability ruling.
The timing matters. Neto supplied 10 points and eight assists in the first half as Brisbane scored 63 points and established a 20-point lead. Without him after the break, the Bullets watched Perth erase almost all of a margin that grew to 27. Brisbane still found enough late offence to win, with Taine Murray and Lat Mayen hitting crucial threes. The league’s match report captures both the escape and the pressure Perth applied.
Weaver’s broader point was about readiness. Brisbane are operating without several regular contributors, and the coach praised a group willing to handle different positions and responsibilities rather than treating absences as an excuse. That flexibility has genuine value in a crowded week, even if the second-half wobble showed the limits of asking a reshuffled line-up to protect a big lead against a dangerous opponent.
For fantasy managers, the new information should temper the rush to treat Neto’s missed half as an extended absence. Mitch Norton’s organising duties and Murray’s late shot-making remain relevant observations, but neither establishes a permanent promotion. Neto’s status for Melbourne needs another team confirmation before any firm roster call. The NBL injury list, last updated on 4 November, also shows the broader availability strain Brisbane are managing.
Saturday’s opponent adds another layer. Melbourne United have been building momentum and possess multiple offensive threats, making control of the ball and defensive communication especially important. Neto’s passing was central to Brisbane’s first-half fluency against Perth; if he is cleared, the Bullets regain a proven organiser. If he is managed again, their supporting guards will need to turn Wednesday’s flashes into a more sustained performance.
Brisbane face Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Saturday 7 November at 7.30pm AEDT. Until the next official availability update, the useful takeaway is narrow but significant: Weaver has described Wednesday’s withdrawal as precautionary, not a confirmed new injury. The Bullets can now prepare for Melbourne with more optimism than the half-time sight of Neto on the bench initially suggested.
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