DrinkWise Game Preview: Wildcats vs 36ers Rnd11 NBL26

The Perth Wildcats return to RAC Arena on Sunday afternoon riding momentum from a statement win over ladder-leading Melbourne United, and now turn their attention to the second-placed Adelaide 36ers in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. 

Perth has held the advantage head-to-head in recent years, winning seven straight games against Adelaide dating back to October 2023. The most recent meeting came less than a month ago, when the Wildcats closed strongly in Adelaide to claim a nine-point victory.

Adelaide arrive in strong form, chasing a sixth straight victory after taking down Brisbane on Friday night. At 12-3, a win in Perth could send the 36ers to the top of the NBL ladder. Their challenge is shaking off a long run of losses to the Wildcats, with only seven wins from 28 visits to RAC Arena. 

The storyline that surrounds the game is of course the return of Bryce Cotton to RAC Arena. A three-time NBL champion and five-time MVP during his time in Perth, it’s a chance for the Red Army to acknowledge a player who delivered so much to the club.

The emotional layer around Cotton’s return only heightens the occasion, but for the Wildcats, the focus is firmly on protecting home court and climbing back into the upper tier of the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder.

“The beauty for our players is we’ve already played Adelaide once this year, so the emotional attachment is gone,” Head Coach John Rillie said.

“Tomorrow it’s about the matchup, it’s about the fans, and it’s recognising Bryce for what he did here, but we’ve moved on from the emotional point of view.”

Much of Rillie’s focus leading into this game has been carrying over the competitiveness and defensive intensity shown on Thursday night.

“When you’re trying to be an elite team in this league, you can’t take nights off or possessions off,” he said. “We removed a lot of their moments by playing with the effort required, and we need that mindset again.”

Rillie downplayed any idea of fixating solely on Cotton after keeping Chris Goulding scoreless.

“Let’s worry about winning the game,” he said. “Bryce gets a lot of attention, but it wouldn’t be a good idea to disrespect the other guys on the floor. There’s a reason Adelaide is in second place.”

Perth’s earlier win over Adelaide also remains a motivating point for the visitors, who openly admitted they “took it personal” after the Wildcats’ strong performance in Adelaide.

But for Rillie, Sunday is about continuity.

“We can rave about how good our effort was the other night, but if we don’t come out with the same intent, we’re not on that level yet,” he said.

“As a team we’ve grown since that last Adelaide game, and now it’s about consistency.”

Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers
Tip off: 1:30pm AWST, Sunday 7 December
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth
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