ALTHOUGH losing their franchise player over the off-season was not an ideal scenario, the Perth Wildcats have overcome a huge blow to their roster to still remain among the contenders so far in the 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) season.

The Wildcats were stunned when five-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bryce Cotton departed the team to join the Adelaide 36ers in one of the biggest moves in competition history. It left Perth scrambling to reassemble its roster, but crisis creates opportunity, and now the Wildcats are well-placed to be among the contenders come season’s end.

It started with the addition of star big man Jo Lual-Acuil, who moved west with a nice resume under his belt. Having emerged as a top-three center in the competition during his time with Melbourne United, Lual-Acuil was a massive get for the Wildcats, who now had a star to build around for the upcoming season.

They signed Mason Jones at the point guard position, but it proved to be a failed experiment, and now David Duke Jr. has joined the team, but have otherwise built their team with familiar faces. Kristian Doolittle re-signed with the team, while they also retained some key role players to round out the team for the season ahead.

It was a red-hot start to the fixture for the Wildcats, who immediately made themselves known as a threat to the championship with plenty of wins over the first month of play. Admittedly, Perth went through a bit of a midseason rough patch, dropping in form and losing consecutive games, before a win over the Adelaide 36ers sparked a three-game winning streak.

Now at the international break, the Wildcats sit in fourth spot on the ladder with a record of eight wins and six losses, and look primed for a charge up the standings after some roster changes. The benchmark this season has been Melbourne United and the Sixers, so Perth could prove itself as the real deal if it knocks off one of those teams in the second half of the fixture.

Lual-Acuil has been Mr. Consistent for the Wildcats this year, with the big man having a strong start to his time out west and continuing to be reliable in the frontcourt. Although his performances have not reached the heights of his time in Melbourne, but it has been his ability to perform night in, night out for Perth that has been most beneficial to the team. On the season, he is averaging 18.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game on 56 per cent shooting from the field.

Also playing an impressive role this year has been Doolittle, who has elevated his game since the departure of Cotton created a need for more production on the offensive game. No longer playing second-fiddle on the scoring front, the forward has been match-winning at times, and is posting numbers of 15.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 44 per cent.

One surprise packet for the Wildcats has been Jaron Rillie, with the former college guard stepping up to be among the most improved players in the competition. Although he had a slow start to the year, he ended up being one of the most impactful players in the competition, and had cemented himself as a starter prior to an untimely hamstring injury. Bringing plenty of scoring and playmaking to the backcourt, Perth will eagerly await his return.

The point guard position has been one of the biggest factors for the Wildcats, as the team has struggled to find a consistent performer at the one. Jones could not make an impact there, and although Rillie had been performing strongly, he will spend time on the sidelines. Duke Jr. is the next replacement, but is not renowned as a true point guard, so it remains to be seen if he can be the answer. Regardless, the Wildcats need continuity at the position if they are to be a true championship contender.