NBL news: Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison speaks out on club’s 19-year low, coach’s future

Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison has revealed he will speak to the wife of the club’s biggest star after her public comments about the team’s struggles.

Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison has thrown his “full faith” behind under-fire coach John Rillie and the playing group, amid the club’s lowest drop on the ladder in 19 years.

In an exclusive interview with Code Sports, Hutchison says he understands the frustration from the Wildcats’ faithful - the NBL’s most “passionate” fan base.

He concedes the 2-5 start to the season isn’t befitting of the club’s sustained success, but has backed the coaching staff and the players to turn it around.

Asked if he can guarantee coach Rillie’s future or if the club will make changes should the poor results continue, Hutchison declared: “We believe in our coach and we believe in this team.

“John is our senior coach and we have full faith in him to lead us forward and turn it around, which is why we’ve put such faith in him and his team.

“He is a very experienced and astute basketball person, who lives, breathes and eats it.

“He has been around successful programs all his life, as a player and a coach and it’s our job to continue to support him and our team to get better.

“John is a greater leader, who has a vision for where he wants this team to go.

“We’re confident things will turn in the right direction with some tweaks.”

John Rillie speaks to Bryce Cotton during a match. Photo: Mark Brake/Getty Images

At present, though, Perth is a team devoid of answers.

This was on show in Friday’s upset loss to an understrength Brisbane Bullets side.

The Wildcats looked lost in offence, especially star guard Bryce Cotton, who has started the season shooting a lowly 29 per cent from the field.

Prior to this season, Cotton has never shot below 40 per cent from the field since joining the NBL in the 2016-2017 season.

It’s also the Wildcats’ worst rebounding record in almost four decades.

Perth’s poor showing against Brisbane prompted Cotton’s wife, Rachel, to publicly criticise the coach and players via social media.

“When there’s no system within the team, and the players don’t have clear roles, not one player has been reliable at the job they are meant to do, it’s pretty hard to thrive when you’re the most heavily scouted player in the team,” she said.

Bryce Cotton’s wife hit out at the club. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

Hutchison confirmed he will have “mature” conversation with Rachel Cotton about her comments, which he believes had the best intentions.

“What I will say is that Rachel Cotton is part of our family,” he said.

“And the Wildcats family, as you’ve seen, are passionate.

“Her first job is to support Bryce and her family – and that is a great thing when you support your partner.

“I think many people in the same situation would be supporting their partner.

“We think that those comments probably had an unintended consequence of being published, read, shared and reported on.’

“But Rachel’s intent is to support Bryce, she has his back and we love her for that.”

If Rillie can’t resurrect Cotton’s form, the pressure on his coaching future will only intensify.

Recruit Keanu Pinder has also been below the standard he set in Cairns and import Jordan Usher has the worst plus/minus in the league through seven games at -84.

The Red Army aren’t happy, calling for blood, with coach Rillie reportedly booed at Perth’s post-game members function on Friday night.

Fans at RAC Arena booed throughout the game and chants of ‘We want Trevor’ resounded, in reference to the Cats’ legendary five-time NBL champion Trevor Gleeson. Gleeson doesn’t currently have a job and, while he wants to get back to the NBA after his tenure as an assistant in Toronto ended prematurely, Wildcats fans are desperate for him to return.

John Rillie is under serious pressure to turn Perth’s season around. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Hutchison respects the passion from the Perth fans, but has pleaded with the Red Army to keep the faith.

“First of all, we don’t back away from the fact that we aren’t playing the way we’d like to,” said Hutchison, the CEO of the Sports Entertainment Network (SEN).

“We need to address that and start to play in a brand more befitting of what the Wildcats organisation would expect.

“There is no sugar coating that we aren’t playing well. With that said, it’s early days, there is a long way to go.

“The team has had eight changes in the off-season, but it’s really committed, it’s hurting and it has never worked harder. It’s committed to supporting each other and I think the mood and attitude of the playing group has been really positive.

“Yes, we’re not seeing the results and there are some things cohesively to work on and some learnings, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint and we intend to finish the marathon strongly.”

The eighth placed Wildcats host the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday from 8pm (AEDT) before a blockbuster against competition leaders United in Melbourne on Monday from 7.30pm (AEDT).