Fantastic news

so something like this

Damo / Norton
Coton / Devondrick Walker
Prather / Steindl
Kay / Wagstaff / Vague
Brandt / Jervis

Obviously can be any 3 imports, but would like to think Cotton may be a little cheaper this season, Prather may want to come home and they get Devondrick who they seemed pretty keen to have for a couple of seasons prior to his injury

Could Hire be a training player and or involved in some other capacity

can they have 12 players, but only suit up 11 on game day?

so more of a training player or swapped out with Vague if they more of a Hire type (whatever that is) on a specific night

if not, Hire is a coach of some sort next season

"Thank God, was starting to get worried we'd take Hire instead of Jervis. Line up looks soo much better imo with Brandt/Jervis at the 5 and an import wing off the bench."

Absolutely.

This is awesome news.

Look, Tommy is no superstar, but having him on the bench gives them some genuine size, and hence a bit more flexibility.
And I think he is much better value than another Derek Cooke.

"can they have 12 players, but only suit up 11 on game day?"

Not really, although of course they can have DPs
But Hire could have an off-court role, can be a training players, and could be used as an injury replacement

Perth will have a deep team, buttressed by quality Aussies across the board.

But there's no elite Aussie. So just as with the past decade, it'll be the imports who provide the match winning ability and ultimately decide their fate.

But, we know Perth is cashed up and they'll sack an import who's not performing.

Assuming they end up with an Ennis or Cotton level import, a good second import and a role playing third, they'll be up there competing for the title again.

I think there's a reasonable chance that Hire will be retained by the Wildcats and Jervis has been signed instead of a budget, import big-man.

Damo, Norton and a Cotton-like combo guard gives them great depth at the guard positions. Similarly Jervis, Kay, Brandt and Wagstaff is a very solid front court. An import 2/3/4 with Steindl as his backup would round out the majority of their rotation nicely.

I personally would go with 3 imports, but that could be the route they're taking.

Yes, could well be that Tommy has been signed instead of a budget import, and I honestly think he provides better value than somebody as raw as Cooke.

Until Hire is officially signed I can hold out hope we go with three imports.

Can Perh take Te Rangi too?

I'd be really intrigued to see Devondrick back and Big Tommy getting the O boards.

I think this team will be more fun than the passive squad last year... we still need Cotton and Ennis and Devondrick

How deluded thinking Prather would return after the childish crap you lot carried on with.

People are caring about what happens with Hire, because unlike SOME dickheads, a lot of Perth fans, (for all their other faults :D) are passionately loyal and respect players that have given their all for their club... So keeping Hire around in some capacity is that extension of respect from the club that they can maintain that connection to their fans and community...

That being said, I can't see how Hire fits into this team now if the Cats are still to remain competitive and you know they are ruthless enough to do whatever it takes to keep that edge...

Trading in his uniform, bozo!

Adding to Anon 929's post I think Greg's options will be:

1. Reduced on court role at the Wildcats transitioning him to coaching/assistance with his community roles running A Stitch In Time with a view to him retiring and joining the club in a coaching community development role in the future.

2. Moving to Cairns or Illawarra for possible larger back up roles.

I suspect the Wildcats will offer some kind of role and it will depend on whether he has a significant enough offer elsewhere to uproot his young family. He expressed in his podcast at the end of last season that he wants to continue playing but family is the deciding factor.

Perth's Achilles' has often been their 3-point shooting.
I haven't really paid enough attention to know whether Norton and Kay will improve that. Wagstaff is generally good at stretching the D, and Hire was once upon a time.
So big question is whether Steindl can recover his lost form??
If not, I think they need another option off the bench, even if its another Andre Ingram type.

"Cotton / Dolla Beal ;)"

Computer Says Noo

Devondrick Walker on the other hand...

D Walker was supposed to be a SF not a SG.