Wildcats to build team chemistry in Brisbane road trip

The Perth Wildcats will use a road trip to Brisbane this week to help build team chemistry both on and off the court.

They’ll play two practice games against the Brisbane Bullets behind closed doors, in their first away games since the Grand Final series in March.

Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said the games crucial.

“We’ve got a new group, only one starter from last season, we need time on the court to build relationships. To go in with only two games under our belt would make us too underdone,” he said.

“To get these two games in Brisbane is priceless for us. Just to get our rhythm together, in sync with each other. It’s priceless.”

The Wildcats played its only other two pre-season games before Christmas at home against The Hawks, splitting the results.

The five-time championship-winning coach said the team will use the time togetehr on the road to vote on its new leadership group.

“Part of getting away is building the chemistry within the group, get away from everything, and we’ll sit down as a group, and the players will vote (on leadership roles).

“We’ll go through our team values and culture and behaviours, and we’ll vote on captaincy then.”

Guard Wani Swaka Lo Buluk made the trip and is expected to play his first pre-season games of the campaign.

A travelling party of 12 players went to Brisbane, with development player Andrew Ferguson staying home.

The games will take place midday on Wednesday and Friday morning.

Given they’re closed games, there will be no stats or coverage of the scrimmages.