The Canberra Capitals are poised to respond to a WNBL public criticism breach notice after brushing aside the controversy to secure a grand final berth.
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The Capitals have been served a notice after players Marianna Tolo and Keely Froling were left fuming by a review panel's decision not to suspend Melbourne's Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham clashed with Froling for the second time last week, striking her in the face in a heated game two.
She pleaded guilty to striking Froling in the face, but had a $500 fine reduced to $250 and played in Melbourne's 77-64 deciding semi-final loss to Canberra at the AIS Arena on Wednesday.
It was the second time Cunningham had pleaded guilty and been fined for physical clashes this season. Froling suffered a broken nose and fractured cheek earlier in the season.
"We came into the game knowing we were going to put it behind us," Froling said.
"We're pretty classy so we knew we weren't going to let that bother us. It does make it feel a lot sweeter now, especially with how they've been acting all week.
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"It feels very, very good. It's definitely one of the most satisfying wins we've had."
Capitals players now face being slapped fines worth 10 times more than Cunningham's penalty as per the public criticism guidelines.
The Capitals are furious with the WNBL's explanation for allowing Cunningham to play, despite pleading guilty to her second physical offence of the season.
"Can the biomechanical expert explain why she pushes me as I'm trying to stand up? Pretty bad when you have to put your hands up to protect your face that was BROKEN by the same player," Froling tweeted.
The Capitals have been given a timeframe to respond to the WNBL's breach notice for public comment.
They will delay dealing with the issue until after the semi-final as they attempt to focus on the game rather than Cunningham's participation.