DrinkWise Game Preview - Round 6: Perth Wildcats v Adelaide 36ers

Rillie has been trying some different combinations on the training courts this week but insists wholesale changes aren’t necessary as the Wildcats look to get their confidence back.

“Right now we’ve just got to learn to win ugly. We’ve got to find a way to win a game,” Rillie said.

“You need your best players playing well. You don’t look to the janitor to fix your business up. We’ve got to get our best players playing at a high level. Our practices this week, we’ve been putting different combinations to try to get a rhythm.

“Everyone has to be in a fight type of mentality. No one is happy with the way they’re playing. My job is to try to harness, embrace and bring the ultimate confidence with our group so we get to that.

“I’m not about making wholesale changes or flipping the script because when you have players that are successful for a long period of time, it is there. It’s valid.

“So we just have to find a way to get our best players playing at a high level and then everyone will breathe and feel a whole lot better about themselves.”

Rillie believes the eight-day gap between games after last Friday’s home loss to Brisbane has been beneficial for the group as they look to knock off Adelaide for the second time in three attempts this season.

“The beauty is we played last Friday so that seems an eternity ago,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to playing because it’s been a long week. We’ve been able to deal with it on the front end and really focus.”

Rillie felt 36ers centre Isaac Humphries was a player who has flown under the radar.

Humphries was the best player on court last time the two sides met and will be one for the Wildcats to stop if they’re to return to the winners’ list.

“The guy that probably flies under the radar with how well he’s playing is Isaac Humphries,” Rillie said.

“The last couple of years he’s been impacted by injury a little bit but this season he’s moving at a very high level.

“Even in the game that we beat them, he was very efficient so for us to challenge his efficiency will be a huge task for us.”

The Wildcats will wear a special Indigenous jersey on Saturday night, designed by Yilka (Wongutha)/Noongar/Yamatji local artist Roseanne ‘Rosie’ Paine.

Game Details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers

When: 5pm WST Saturday 4 November

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Opposition watch

Adelaide have come to life after a horror start to the season, winning their last two outings.

The late addition of former Sydney Kings sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic has helped spark the 36ers’ campaign.

Last time they met

This will remarkably be the third time the Wildcats and 36ers have faced off this season.

The Wildcats celebrated their annual Pink Game clash with a hard-fought 82-75 win over Adelaide at RAC Arena on October 6, but Adelaide got revenge on their home court a little over two weeks later thanks to new signing Dejan Vasiljevic and centre Isaac Humphries.