John Rillie’s High Praise for Wildcats’ NBL27 Coaching Staff

With NBL27 underway, we take a closer look at John Rillie and the coaching staff behind a Perth Wildcats team that recorded 71 regular-season wins across his first four seasons at the helm and the only club to have reached each of the past three semi-final series.

With a 60.2% winning record over that period, the Wildcats have established themselves as one of the competition’s most consistent teams and the only club to increase its regular-season win total in each campaign. Perth’s wins tally rose from 15 in NBL23 to 17 in NBL24, 18 in NBL25 and 21 in NBL26 as the schedule expanded.

As Rillie looks to build on that consistency, he discusses the strengths of a coaching group combining Derrick Alston Sr.’s extensive playing and coaching experience with the growing expertise of Aaron Young and Ben Peterson.

*Click the image above to get to know Derrick Alston Sr.*

Derrick Alston Sr. brings a perspective shaped by years in the NBA, G League and international basketball. Rillie sees particular value in having someone the staff and players can turn to throughout the highs and lows of a season.

“As we strive to grow and get to the next level with this team, just his experience, you usually lean on guys like that in the tough moments of a season,” Rillie said.

“Just the buy-in you can get with players understanding someone’s gone through that situation before is a huge help.”

*Click the image above to get to know Aaron Young.*

Aaron Young returns from another NZNBL grand final appearance with Wellington, bringing further experience of leading a team through a season. Rillie has seen that translate into a stronger voice within the Wildcats program.

“He’s really found his voice in the pre-season so far. So he’s going to continue to emerge and develop into one of the exciting young coaches in the NBL,” Rillie said.

“He doesn’t have to be the loudest guy in the room, but he understands and very much believes in what he’s going on about.

“That comes across whether it’s in a staff dynamic or whether we’re down on the floor with the team.”

*Click the image above to get to know Ben Peterson.*

Ben Peterson’s season leading the Perry Lakes Hawks provided a similar opportunity to grow, giving him firsthand experience of the decisions and responsibilities that come with being a head coach.

Throughout the campaign, he stayed in regular contact with Rillie, discussing upcoming games and working through situations as they arose. He returns with a greater understanding of what the person making the final decision needs from those around him.

“He’ll be able to become a better assistant coach for his head coach experience,” Rillie said.

That understanding comes into play throughout Wildcats games, when the assistants assess personnel, identify adjustments and offer suggestions based on the team’s preparation.

Rillie welcomes those ideas, although he jokes that standing for much of a game helps him avoid a few from the bench.

“That’s actually part of the reason I stand up for a good portion of the game,” he joked.

“But I definitely want ideas and different things thrown my way. Obviously, to give us a great chance of winning the game, but then also just for their own personal development.”

Giving his coaches that responsibility starts with trust. It also means recognising when an assistant is best placed to deliver a message.

“First of all, I want people on staff that I trust and believe in,” Rillie said.

“I don’t have all the answers. There’s moments where their passion for an idea or something is going to be better received by the team than it is from me.

“I want them to have the respect from the players that when they say something, the players are embracing what they’re talking about.”

The same willingness to bring out the best in those around him shapes Rillie’s approach to the playing group. He wants players to recognise their strengths, understand how they fit together and make decisions that help the team.

“I certainly want to play the game, in my eyes, what I perceive is the right way,” he said.

“There’s a selflessness to that, making the right play, because as long as you’re making the right play, good things happen for you.”

Drawing on his playing and coaching experience, Rillie works to identify where each player can excel and how to help them reach that level.

“My philosophy is helping players get the best out of themselves,” he said.

“If you understand the game better, that’ll give the Perth Wildcats a better chance of winning.”

His reputation as a players’ coach is built on those relationships, backing his players while being honest about what they need to do to improve. He wants them to feel confident in their abilities and know their progress matters to the people coaching them.

“Players win the game,” Rillie said.

“I need to be able to help set them up with the confidence and belief that they can get it done as an individual, but also as a team.

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“It’s just not on the court. You’ve got to spend time. You have to paint a picture that you want them to grow, but you also have to make sure that it’s a realistic picture.”

That commitment extends across the roster. Alongside the progress of younger players, Rillie takes pride in helping established performers continue to raise their game.

“I would say our best players also get better within our organisation as well,” he said.

His support for the players comes with a responsibility to make decisions for the wider group.

“I always tell them, I love my players, but I love my family more, so I’m going to make the decision that I feel is the right fit for the team,” he said.

As this season begins, returning players have provided a strong foundation through pre-season, with new additions bringing different strengths to the group.

The schedule and changes in availability have created opportunities for players to contribute, giving Rillie and his staff a closer look at their options in different situations.

The next step is taking that work to RAC Arena, where Rillie wants the Wildcats to play with the selflessness and conviction he asks of them every day.

He also wants the Red Army to feel part of a night everyone contributes to.

“Once we all step into RAC, we’re all there for the benefit of the Perth Wildcats,” he said.

“Let’s have a great two-hour experience and make sure we all leave going, ‘That was a great night.’

“That doesn’t always mean that it’s going to end up in a win, but everyone needs to be leaving feeling good about what they saw and who they supported.”