Road Tested Wildcats
The Perth Wildcats’ ability to win away from home has emerged as one of the defining features of their season.
With an 8-3 record on the road so far this season, Perth have consistently shown what it takes to succeed in hostile environments.
As the tennis takes over RAC Arena at this time of year and the Wildcats continue on their five-game road stretch, let’s take a look back at their eight away wins so far in the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season.
Round 1 at Spark Arena
Perth’s first away victory came in Round 1 when the Wildcats controlled the second half of the contest to defeat the Breakers 89-78 in Auckland.
Wildcats centre Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. set the tone with 21 points, while Dylan Windler delivered a strong all round performance with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Round 4 at Cairns Convention Centre
In Round 4 Perth showed their ability to win close games on the road, edging the Cairns Taipans 80-77.
Lual-Acuil Jr. dominated inside with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Windler again played a crucial role with 26 points and 11 rebounds as the Wildcats executed late.
Round 5 return to Cairns Convention Centre
Just days later in Round 5, Perth returned to the same venue and delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season, backing it up with a commanding 110-78 victory.
Lual-Acuil Jr. led the way with 24 points, supported by Kristian Doolittle and Elijah Pepper who each added 18 as Perth’s balanced scoring left the home side without an answer.
Round 6 at MyState Bank Arena
Late October brought Round 6 in Hobart where Perth responded strongly after quarter time, exploding in the third quarter to defeat the Tasmania JackJumpers 95-84.
Lual-Acuil Jr. again provided a steady presence with 23 points, while Pepper added 19 as Perth seized control through the middle of the game.
Round 7 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The Wildcats’ Round 7 trip to Adelaide carried extra intrigue, marking the first matchup against former teammate Bryce Cotton.
Perth went on to secure a 94-87 road win with Dylan Windler recording a double double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Kristian Doolittle added 16 points of his own as the Wildcats controlled key moments late.
Round 10 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Round 10 in Brisbane showcased Perth at their most clinical, holding the Brisbane Bullets to just 62 points in an emphatic 86-62 win.
Ben Henshall led the scoring with 15 points, David Duke Jr. added 14, Pepper contributed 11 and Lual-Acuil Jr. anchored the interior as Perth’s defence set the tone.
Round 11 at MyState Bank Arena
That theme returned in Round 11, when the Wildcats again executed down the stretch in Hobart to secure a 94-85 win.
Kristian Doolittle delivered a standout performance with 30 points, supported by Duke Jr. with 16 and Lual-Acuil Jr. contributing 12 as Perth closed out another tough road assignment.
Round 12 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
In the Wildcats most recent road win on New Year’s Day in Round 12, Perth jumped out of the gates after halftime to open 2026 with a convincing 95-75 road win.
Lual-Acuil Jr. finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Pepper, Henshall and Windler all reached double figures as Perth overwhelmed Brisbane in the second half.
Built for the run home
Wildcats head coach John Rillie has long emphasised that genuine finals teams are built on the ability to win on the road.
With two more away fixtures still to come against the New Zealand Breakers (today) and South East Melbourne Phoenix in the current stretch of five away games, the Wildcats will look to maintain the consistency that has underpinned their strong road record.
Once the away stretch is complete, Perth return home for seven of their final nine games at RAC Arena.
The focus then shifts to translating that away form back into The Jungle and feeding off the energy of the Red Army, as the Wildcats make a push towards finals.
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