The Perth Wildcats have claimed a hard-fought 94-87 victory over the Adelaide 36ers in a highly anticipated Sunday afternoon clash, marking their first encounter against former superstar and five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton since his departure.
Defensive Masterclass Neutralises Superstar
Overcoming a six-point deficit early in the final quarter, the Wildcats surged ahead to secure the win, with their intense defensive strategy against Cotton proving to be the decisive factor. While the Adelaide guard still managed to score 23 points, including seven three-pointers, Perth's disciplined approach made him work for every opportunity.
Wildcats coach John Rillie was quick to praise the meticulous preparation led by assistant coach Aaron Young. "The minute we got to practice on Tuesday, the guys could see the prep that he'd put in," Rillie said, highlighting the confidence the team had in the game plan. The strategy involved rotating multiple fresh defenders onto Cotton, denying him open shots, and crucially, avoiding fouls that would send him to the free-throw line—where he averages eight attempts per game.
Team Effort Seals the Win
The defensive execution fell to the players, with import David Duke jnr spending the majority of the game shadowing Cotton. Duke, who attended the same US college as Cotton, was laser-focused in his defensive assignment. Despite the pressure, Cotton still dished out seven assists, demonstrating his ability to find teammates when double-teamed.
Offensively, the Wildcats were led by a strong team performance. Dylan Windler delivered a massive game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Kristian Doolittle stepped up with 16 points and nine rebounds, while David Duke contributed 16 points to complement his defensive work.
The victory was sealed under pressure, with Adelaide's Isaac White reducing the margin to just three points with a mere 22 seconds left on the clock, before Perth steadied to close out the game.
Respect Trumps Rivalry Narrative
The match was surrounded by talk of a potential rift between Cotton and his former club, but the interactions before and after the game told a different story. There was plenty of warmth shown between Cotton and his former teammates and coach.
Coach Rillie explicitly addressed the speculation, stating, "The narrative behind it all is way overboard." He emphasised the mutual respect, calling it a "pleasure" to have coached Cotton for three years and noting that he still tunes in to watch Adelaide games specifically to see him play.
The win demonstrates a successful new chapter for the Wildcats, proving they can win with a collective effort against one of the league's most formidable talents.
