Wildcats Reflect on NBL26 Campaign

The Perth Wildcats’ season may have come to an end, but the foundation for what comes next has never been clearer.

As the team reflects on NBL26 following a playoff exit to the Sydney Kings, Head Coach John Rillie and captain Jesse Wagstaff both pointed to a season defined by a group built to keep climbing.

“There’s a level of disappointment because you start the season wanting to achieve the championship,” Rillie said.
“But when we get a minute to reflect, there’s a lot of good stuff that came out of this year for our franchise.”

That perspective speaks to a season where the Wildcats continued to position themselves as a consistent finals contender, reaching the Playoffs for the third straight year and again giving themselves a chance to compete at the pointy end of the competition. It was a season of evolution across the entire roster.

Rillie was quick to highlight the development seen at both ends of the experience scale, with established leaders continuing to grow while the club’s emerging core took significant strides forward.

“Our experienced guys grew in who they are as players and people and leadership,” he said.
“And then our young guys, you could see the growth in that core group.”

That balance proved to be one of the defining strengths of the Wildcats’ campaign.

Young players were not only given opportunities, they embraced them, gaining valuable minutes and continuing to build their professional habits. At the same time, the club’s veteran leaders set the tone daily, modelling the standards required to succeed at the highest level.

“It was a good group of veterans that the young guys could learn from,” Rillie said.
“They come in every day and were phenomenal around each other.”

Wagstaff echoed that sentiment, reinforcing that while the ultimate goal wasn’t achieved, the journey itself holds significant value for what lies ahead.

“If you look at it in black and white and say we didn’t win it, you miss the growth, you miss the experiences,” he said.
“You miss enjoying your teammates and the battle.”

The Wildcats’ ability to remain competitive while integrating and developing a younger core is a key reason for optimism heading into next season.

Across the roster, players continued to evolve in their roles, with several taking meaningful steps forward in both performance and professionalism, which gives the group confidence moving forward.

Rillie believes the work already done has the Wildcats firmly on the right path, but is equally clear that growth cannot stop.

“You can never be satisfied in this industry,” he said.
“You’ve got to keep building.”

That mindset will define the offseason.

While the playing group will take time to reset, the expectation remains that every individual returns better, sharper and more prepared to take the next step. The message is consistent. Progress is not accidental, it is built through daily commitment.

“You get antsy and worried when people quit when they’re right there,” Rillie said.
“We’re not going to quit. We’re going to keep working, and good things will happen.”

It is a belief grounded in consistency, and there's a growing sense of identity within the squad.

A team that competes, that defends, and that stays connected through both momentum swings and adversity. Even in their final outing, holding a high-powered Kings side to 89 points underlined the defensive capability that will continue to be a cornerstone of their game.

At the same time, the experience gained in tight, high-pressure moments will serve as a valuable asset moving forward.

“It’s a game of inches at this time of year,” Rillie said.

Those inches often come from composure, execution and experience. Areas that naturally improve with time.

With a young core gaining confidence and veterans continuing to lead from the front, the Wildcats enter the offseason with clarity around what is required to take the next step.

“Sometimes people get close to something and think they need to reinvent everything,” Rillie said.
“But it’s about sticking with what you do and just keep growing.”

The disappointment of the season’s end remains, but the group knows it is getting closer and is well positioned heading into NBL27.