Australian Opals basketballer Shyla Heal has been signed by the Townsville Fire in the WNBL.
Heal was released by her former team, the Sydney Flames, on Wednesday morning and within hours had signed with the Fire.
She made her debut on Wednesday night against the Lynx in Perth, scoring seven points and accumulating two assists and three rebounds.
Lynx coach Ryan Petrik criticised the decision to allow Heal to switch teams mid-season and while he conceded the move was above board, he claimed it would not pass "the pub test" with the league's fans.
"I'm not sure if the average fan at home loves what's happened," Petrik said.
"The amount of people who have messaged us with like 'sorry, a team that can't make the finals has just moved in-season to a team that can make the finals?' If it's legal, it's legal but I don't think the average fan thinks it passes the pub test.
"The amount of people that have commented on what they think it looks like I think tells you the answer.
"Townsville are clearly playing by the rules but fans are asking questions."
Heal had not played in the Flames' last two games for personal reasons, according to the club.
In a statement, the Townsville Fire said the 21-year-old guard would play for the side for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
"She is a familiar face to the team and fans due to her being a key part of our run during the 2020 hub season where we played in the grand final," Townsville's coach, Shannon Seebohm said.
"Shyla will add to our guard depth and provide a scoring punch for us as we aim to qualify for the finals."
The Fire currently sit in third position on the WNBL ladder, while the Flames are second last.
Heal will qualify to play for the Fire in the WNBL finals if she plays the remaining seven games of the home and away season.
Earlier, the Flames announced they had agreed with Heal to a mutual release for the remainder of the WNBL season.
"The club has cleared the way for Shyla to seek other playing opportunities," it said in a statement.
"The Flames would like to thank Shyla for her contribution to our club over the past two seasons and wish her all the best in her future endeavours."
The 21-year-old debuted for the national team, the Opals, last year.
She played for the Flames for two years after previously playing for Townsville in 2020.
In 2021, she was drafted by the Chicago Sky in WNBA, but played just four games before she was traded to the Dallas Wings, who then waived her.
Her father, Shane, the Flames' coach, has also sat out the last two games.
Neither Shane Heal nor the Flames would offer comment on why he was not coaching the team.
A club spokesman told ABC Sport: "Our hands are tied."
Shane Heal appeared on News Corp's The Basketball Show on Tuesday, saying: "I'm sure at some stage that'll come out, but right now, you know, I can't say anything.
"I'm getting messages from journos all over the place. I can't say anything. My hands are tied. At some stage I'll be able to talk."
