Dejan Vasiljevic and Adelaide 36ers primed to extend home winning streak to 10 against Illawarra on Sunday
Pummelled by NZ, a “p***ed off” Dejan Vasiljevic and his Adelaide 36ers have had a week to dwell on where it all went wrong. A freak streak is at stake against Illawarra on Sunday.
A “pissed off” Dejan Vasiljevic and his 36ers have spent a week dwelling on their worst loss of the season but the star guard says it’s given his squad time to prime for a big bounce back against competition benchmark Illawarra as the narrative continues to shift in Adelaide.
Despite a lacklustre 27-point loss in New Zealand last time out, the 36ers’ have put a year of turmoil behind them to become must-watch basketball with one of the most-talented and entertaining rosters in the league.
“With what’s transpired over the last 12 months, me coming in, CJ (Bruton) leaving, getting things back on track with Scotty (Ninnis) and then bang! another coaching change happens, If you asked me then what do people think of Adelaide, it’s like, ‘Oh, another day in Adelaide, we’re always in the media for the wrong reasons’,” a candid Vasiljevic said.
“But, now when people ask ‘Oh, what about Adelaide’ it’s like, ‘Man, Adelaide’s a really good basketball team who are very competitive and are looking like a finals contending team’.”
The cultural regeneration at the Sixers has helped turn their Adelaide Entertainment Centre home into the hardest place to play in the NBL.
Adelaide hasn’t lost at AEC since December 28, 2023, and a win over Illawarra Sunday would make it 10 in a row — already easily the longest streak in the league (Perth is next best with three straight at RAC Arena).
With a 12th home sellout all but certain, they’ll face the Hawks supported by about 9500 extra teammates — the 36ers’ “sixth man”, Vasiljevic says.
“Honestly, we use the crowd to feed off their energy, any time we’re down, we make a few big plays, the crowd gets into it, the noise level rises and it flusters the other team in big moments,” he said.
Vasiljevic hopes that extra energy can help his squad overcome recent flat starts — against a Hawks team that has been the Sixers’ recent bunnies, given they’ve won six of their last seven meetings and haven’t lost to them at home since December 2021.
“The last three games, we’ve started very poorly, we give up 10-12 points and then we’re playing catch up all night,” Vasiljevic said.
“It’s about starting well, coming in full of energy and being ready to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Ahead of Remembrance Day, Sunday’s game is the Sixers Defence Force Appreciation Round, where the club will wear specially designed uniforms.
“You have to respect those who have served the country and sacrificed their lives to protect the people who live in this country. It’s important, not just for the NBL or us as a club but for everyone,” Vasiljevic said.
The club has recently been awarded a Department of Defence grant that will allow Sixers’ staff and players to deliver community programs in 16 SA defence mentor schools.
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