Like Perth Glory big changes for the Perth Wildcats, fair to say the biggest changes of any NBL team and possibly in the Wildcats history.
New owner: Jack Bendat sold it to Craig Hutchison (Sports Australia I think it’s called)
New coach: Trevor Gleeson got his dream fulfilled accepting an assistant coach role in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors I think. A bloke named Scott Morrison has replaced him. Lol. A Canadian I think himself with many years of coaching experience in the NBA but still coaching via Zoom with ex NBL player and Cairns Taipan coach Mike Kelly in a caretaker role until he gets Australia and the US govt’s to complete the paperwork.
Huge changes on the court too. Sorry to see Wildcat’s big man John Mooney go, Mr double double. Money dictates I guess. Will Magnay came in late and was useless, good to see him go and we’ve picked up ex Brisbane Bullets team mate Matt Hogson for the centre role. his 211cm will be handy and is a good scorer.
We’ve picked up a couple of ex NBA imports for the razzle dazzle at both ends and to help out Bryce Cotton. Luke Travers will be one to watch this season, he was close to our best player in the finals and is probably following in the footsteps of Josh Giddey who is ripping it up the NBA pre season.
Going to be interesting to see if the wildcats play their next match, I think on the 12th of January. According to the news, half the playing squad have tested positive to the China virus whilst the team has been stuck in Hobart. Not sure why the whole basketball season simply not given the flick, especially given the current status over east. If I suggested that, I’d get bounced out the room..
Good to see the Wildcats are probably in contention to play finals again. With the conclusion of the regular H & A matches rapidly approaching. Perth currently 4th on the season standings, just ahead of Tasmania. I think the Wildcats due to play tomorrow and expected to beat Cairns (so people say). And the South East are favoured to overcome the Tassie side. Although Perths form not the best of late, losing 4 out of the last 5 matches. The Finals begin towards the end of April I believe.
WAG the way the Wildcats are playing they will not win another game this season and will miss the finals for the first time in 36 years (1986).
They have been horrendous since coming back home to play at the so called fortress Perth Arena!
The new owner Craig Hutchinson will be happy though they have a record membership 12,000 ($$$$$) and his beloved Melbourne United are sitting pretty on top and no Wildcats this year to stop them!
Heard about the wildcats membership the other day because someone at work mentioned. I am led to believe the 12 thousand figure being the highest for the wildcats thus far
The longest finals run ever is in danger of being broken. The Wildcats loss to Illawarra in Perth has put their 36th consecutive year of finals appearances in jeopardy. As I understand it the Tassie team has to beat the top team ( Melbourne) tomorrow. If that happens then the Wildcats will need to beat South East Melbourne in Perth on Sunday to qualify in 4th spot. The good thing is that their fate is still very much in their own hands..
[quote=“mikeh post=218752 userid=926”]The longest finals run ever is in danger of being broken. The Wildcats loss to Illawarra in Perth has put their 36th consecutive year of finals appearances in jeopardy. As I understand it the Tassie team has to beat the top team ( Melbourne) tomorrow. If that happens then the Wildcats will need to beat South East Melbourne in Perth on Sunday to qualify in 4th spot. The good thing is that their fate is still very much in their own hands..
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My understanding being the Wildcats were favoured to win that match.
Just noticed Tasmania are slightly ahead in the betting stakes against melbourne for their next match. Apparently have a 65% chance of winning their match according to people in the know.
If tassie win today, the pressure really is on Perth for their last qualifying game. Perth and Tasmania only separated by 6% on the league ladder having won 16 games apiece.
Apparently the coach has just quit and returning to Canada. So the turmoil of the business runs deeper than reported on. Especially with the news earlier in the week. Going to be interesting to watch the process going from here and what happens as the next season is not that far away.
LOL, when my wife told me that Scott Morrison had resigned, my first thought was the ex PM who is now going to be sitting on the backbench!
Pretty turbulent times for the Wildcats. The coach cited family issues as the reason for his resignation but you have to wonder if it was due to the sacking of the CEO a few days ago.
Since Hutchinson’s mob tookover at the Wildcats they have gone backwards at a rate of knots!
Morrison was the wrong choice as coach to start of with imho!
The Wildcats have just announced the coach taking on the role after Morrison quit. John Rillie to be the head coach. He being an ex player with Townsville I believe many years ago. Has recently spent most of his time in the divided states in a coaching capacity. Was wondering when an announcement would be made as the next season is drawing closer.