Perth is out of form.

At this stage last season Perth were 10 wins and 11 losses sitting in 5th, howd that pan out?

It's true that the Marvin era is over, and as yet I don't have much faith that Georgiou can be anything more than the loyal Beta.
But that said, Trev wouldn't be putting up with too much crap.

They will need to make some big changes over the coming years, and as yet haven't really unearthed any outstanding young talent.
Wait and see I guess.

But no, far from over. They have a winning coach, good core, great support staff, and more money and fans than most other teams.

This is why I was chilling after that win in Brisbane last weekend. Cooke had a great game and Perth cranked it up to make it look like they were still up there. But they aren't. They're being scouted better and better each game because, as we all say and as I said from early in the season, they only have a couple who can put it in the bucket.

It ain't over by any stretch, they're just in poor form. But even so, I don't think they have enough to win it all.

United is where it's at

I think Perth fans should count their lucky stars they won last year. Lucky to get in the finals at the last minute on Cottons coat tails and then getting Cairns and Illawarra. Be happy you squeeked an extra one on the tally and be real supporters who support through thick and thin. You can't win them all.

Can never discount Wildcats, but they rely too much on JP and Cotton to win games. Cotton is either on or off. Was surprised they didn't recruit a big who scores and rebounds. Signing Walker and Steindl seemed like they just took what was there rather than getting the best players they could to suit certain positions and styles. Brandt can only play close to the rim, unlike Knight who had a nice jumper. They needed to rejig their lineup when Knight retired and they never replaced him.
In saying that their game style is suited to finals and can grind teams down for wins.

It's not the imports that’s the issue. Damo is a step slower , Knight and Redhage haven’t been replaced and Wagstaff is at about 20% of what he used to be.

The core that got Perth all that success is dying. Losing Greenwood was a massive blow to their planning long term. It’s the Aussie talent that’s the issue

Put Cotton and Tokoto in Cairns for Smith and Evans and Cairns would be top 3, Perth would be bottom 3.

Stiendl has been converted from a chased free agent to a non factor, Walker can’t keep up the mirage. Beyond those two there is no talent that would be chased or desired by other teams. Brandt has not developed as expected either.

All empires fall eventually.

#667792 has summed it up perfectly.

I think losing Knight and not replacing Cooke has hurt.
Brandt started off great and has regressed over the season and bench needs an upgrade.

For all this there are still 7 games to go in regular season so its not over yet.

I couldn't imagine what a 16 year title drought feels like.

There is no doubt that Perth will need to make some significant roster changes in the off season.

Martin, Brandt, Wagstaff should retain their spots - also get Cotton and Tokoto back if they can. Sounds like they're stuck with Steindl but he wouldnt be getting many minutes if he doesnt show something.

I think Kenny, Hire, DKD, Walker and Cooke need to be moved on.

I would like to see them target McCarron and Weeks to replace Hire and Kenny.

If they could find an Aussie centre to back up Brandt, I would also like to see them target Wesley as the third import.

Bragg gets elevated to the main list as the fourth guard.

Not 100% sure, but isn't Bragg contracted?

Perth need to go hard in free agent chase.
Target guys like McCarron and try lure Jervis back.
I would prefer Buford or Conger over Tokoto

Maybe they'll try poach some 36ers..

Well there's plenty of chubbys to chose from out West. All that home cooking!

If Perth chuck enough money at him who knows, he may be keen to put up with Gleeson.

No, Sobey re-signed to a 2 year deal before the start of this season.

Keep cotton Tokoto and maybe get an import pf/c.

Then target Johnson and mccarron.

Think hire, dexter, wagstaff bragg and maybe Kenny are gone

Martin doesn't seem to be the player he once was either.

Perth just look like they need a good sleep and freshen up a bit, maybe pull out a video of what they have done well this season and get them feeling good about themselves.... next game is against Breakers so that should get the players fired up but if it doesn't then we get posts like we see right here

Damo is carrying an injury and no one is picking up the slack. Still, it's unlikely they're going to miss the playoffs, so if they can get heathy and find some form over the next 3-4 weeks they're still a chance.

Write them off at your peril. Two years ago I wrote the Breakers off after a few really bad losses and they made it to the GF.

Big problem is many players dont want to move to Perth, trying to refresh the ranks next season wont be easy.

Perth have never had problems enticing players over from what I've noticed.

Still keeping playoff streak alive.
Regardless of Perth winning the title or playoff early exit an overhaul is required.

Perth just have to think about the remaining 6 regular season games.
Build momentum and regain confidence.

I don't disagree with making the four being a key bit of the battle, but home court advantage has value, and form as well, and their current trajectory isn't great for either of those things.

I didn't see their first match-up in Perth, but they looked pretty despondent in Sydney from the passages I watched.

The first game in Perth they just picked them apart. It was actually a good game to watch because the Kings looked like they were all playing for one another and like they were the superior team. The defence from the Kings was outstanding.

It was a clinical performance that felt and looked to be more than just a loss and I half expected the Kings to put them to the sword in Sydney but definitely not to the degree they did pumping them by around 30 points.

If only people could get as enthusiastic about supporting their own team as they are about complaining about the Wildcats.

This whole thread is founded on some serious misconceptions about the NBL. This isn't the AFL or any other league subject to restrictions or equalisation.

For starters, they're not exactly cellar-dwellers right now, and if they get the right players, they could easily bounce back to the top next year.

Players certainly do move around, and the Cats have a lot going for them.

Be interesting to see what imports they bring in (or back) next season, if they can pick up any quality locals, and what sort of young aussie talent they can come up with.
Could be significant changes.