Rillie backs Wildcats’ ability to overcome adversity

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie is drawing on past experience overcoming adversity as his side prepares to face the Tasmania JackJumpers at RAC Arena on Thursday.

Having guided the Wildcats through difficult stretches in previous seasons, Rillie takes confidence from their ability to come out stronger.

His focus is on helping this group do the same, balancing the demand for more consistent basketball with the confidence players need to work through challenging moments.

“I feel like we’ve handled those moments very well, come out on the other end well, but we’re just going through it again,” he said.

“Do you want to go through this? Absolutely not, but I always feel a team, person, life, how you respond to these moments really dictates what can happen in the future.”

Rillie's approach begins with ensuring the message he delivers is reflected in how he leads the group.

“I have to look within and go, ‘What does this team need right now?’” Rillie said.

He pointed to Elijah Pepper’s strong early-season form as a reminder of what his players can produce, with the challenge now to find that consistency when momentum turns and learn how to respond when games become difficult.

With younger players gaining experience in significant roles, Rillie is looking for those lessons to translate into more consistent execution.

“Just consistency in our play,” he said when asked what he wanted to see against Tasmania.

“I would say we’re not consistent enough for parts of the game.”

A next-play mentality is part of the focus heading into Thursday, helping players move quickly beyond frustration and commit to the next possession. How Perth finishes quarters is another area Rillie highlighted as the Wildcats work to limit costly lapses.

The absence of key players has also required adjustments, with Rillie balancing combinations while prioritising their ability to make an impact when they return.

Through those challenges, his attention stays on building habits the Wildcats can carry from one game to the next.

Thursday presents an opportunity to put that work into practice, with Rillie looking for an improved defensive performance that Perth can build on again on Saturday.

“If we do perform at a high level tomorrow night, then we’ve got to back it up again Saturday,” he said.

“So there’s a continuity and there’s a build-up to it for sure.”

The Perth Wildcats will be bolstered by the return of Brandon Knight for Thursday’s clash with the Tasmania JackJumpers, adding experience and leadership to the backcourt.