Wildcats Finding Different Ways to Win Ahead of Phoenix Rematch

The Perth Wildcats will look to carry their growing momentum into Friday’s clash with South East Melbourne, having responded to their season-opening loss to the Phoenix with back-to-back wins over Adelaide and New Zealand.

The Wildcats now have an early chance to measure their progress against a Phoenix outfit returning to RAC Arena.

Head coach John Rillie has been encouraged by the range of players influencing games.

Across both wins, Perth found momentum from different parts of its lineup rather than relying on the same combination each time.

“Over the course of our weekend we had different guys create different patches of momentum for us,” Rillie said.

The variety has given the Wildcats options heading into Friday. Angus Brandt was one of many to step up and make an impact against the Breakers, providing a steady presence and doing the less noticeable work that helps his teammates.

Dylan Windler highlighted Brandt’s contribution after the game.

“I thought Angus was really solid for us, does a lot of little things that help,” Windler said.

Windler is also finding different ways to influence games and said the aim was to stay involved and ready to be aggressive wherever the game called for it.

“Whether it’s off the ball, on the ball, mixing it up, just trying to find ways to impact the game and stay aggressive overall.”

Rillie has also liked the Wildcats’ approach when games have tightened.

The wins over Adelaide and New Zealand required Perth to stay composed and respond to the next possession.

“What I like about the way we’ve performed at the end of the games is just the way we’ve stuck together as a collective,” he said.

That mentality will be valuable against a Phoenix side set to welcome Nathan Sobey back into its lineup.

Perth’s fast, physical style demands that players be ready to step into different roles, and the past two games have given them experience doing exactly that.

Windler believes the early opportunities being given across the lineup will continue to benefit the team.

“We’ve learned from the first game, made some adjustments,” he said. “I think we’re trending in terms of playing better basketball as a team.

“I think we’ve got a lot more room to grow.”

The Perth Wildcats are chasing their third straight win of the season when they take on South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena this Friday, in the club’s 10th annual Pink Game, supporting Breast Cancer Care WA.