Match Report: Wildcats vs Phoenix Rnd7 NBL26

The Wildcats made a strong start to the afternoon as Jo Lual-Acuil Jr opened the scoring with a powerful drive to the rim before South East Melbourne Phoenix responded through Nathan Sobey, who caught fire from long range to give the home side an early 10–4 lead.

Perth regrouped behind Kristian Doolittle’s work on the boards, while David Duke Jr announced himself with his first Wildcats basket, finishing through contact before adding another layup.

Dylan Windler’s step-back three and Jaron Rillie’s fade-away jumper in the final seconds cut the deficit to three at quarter time, with the Phoenix leading 24–21.

The second term became an arm-wrestle. Lual-Acuil Jr continued to anchor the offence, Doolittle dominated the glass, and Rillie added steady free throws as Perth wrestled back control.

Angus Glover’s pair of threes and Daniel Foster’s burst off the bench kept Phoenix level, but the Wildcats’ composure held firm. Doolittle’s free throws in the dying seconds tied the contest at 46–46 at halftime.

The third quarter saw both sides trading blows in an end-to-end shootout. Windler and Rillie hit from deep early, while Doolittle stayed aggressive inside and Duke Jr added a step-back triple as Perth briefly hit the front.

Momentum turned after an unsportsmanlike foul on Rillie, allowing Sobey and the Phoenix to retake control. Brown III made his presence felt around the basket, scoring through contact and drawing multiple fouls, while Sobey continued to find his range.

Windler’s huge late three gave the Wildcats a chance to reclaim momentum, until Brown III’s long-range jumper just inside the arc on the buzzer restored the Phoenix’s advantage heading into the last break.

Trailing by three at the final break, the Wildcats struck early through Jaron Rillie, who nailed a pull-up three to keep Perth within reach. Kristian Doolittle continued his strong night, knocking down a step-back jumper and later throwing down a powerful dunk to trim the margin.

Both teams traded defensive stops as Jo Lual-Acuil Jr came up with a steal and Doolittle produced a key block, but the Phoenix found their way to the line repeatedly through Nathan Sobey and Wes Iwundu. Two lengthy coaches’ challenges disrupted any rhythm the Wildcats had in the fourth and both calls proving pivotal, with the momentum swinging back to the home side after reviews that went the Phoenix’s way.

Perth continued to push through Doolittle, Ben Henshall and Dylan Windler, each connecting on key baskets late, but Sobey’s composure at the stripe and John Brown III’s second-chance points down the stretch proved the difference as the Phoenix closed out the five-point win.

Speaking post game, head coach John Rillie said the Wildcats’ narrow defeat came down to the possession battle.

“It came down to the possession game. We talked about it all week, they turned us over seven more times and out-rebounded us on the offensive glass by six. That’s the difference.”

He credited the Phoenix for their relentless pressure but saw it as a valuable learning test.

“When you face a team that presses and plays that physically for 40 minutes, it’s actually a good gauge. If we navigate that, we’ll get great output. But 20 turnovers is way too much.”

Rillie said Perth at times made the game harder than it needed to be.

“Sometimes you just need the simple play. Move the ball and give it a chance.”

On David Duke Jr’s debut, Rillie said the new guard showed why he will fit seamlessly into the group.

“He’s going to fit in really well. He had a few ‘welcome to the NBL’ moments tonight, but his defensive disruption, athleticism and willingness to share the ball stand out.”