Cotton Ready To "Unlearn"

By Dan Woods - NBL Media
Photo: Perth Wildcats Media

Bryce Cotton is ready to “unlearn” the styles of his previous coaches, as the Perth Wildcats enter the John Rillie era.

The star guard returned for pre-season on Monday, looking every bit the player that has won a remarkable three NBL Most Valuable Player titles. 

His new coach Rillie has entered the hotseat of one of the most historic clubs in the NBL, as he looks to take it back to the playoffs.

Rillie takes over from Scott Morrison as head coach of the Wildcats, after a disappointing fifth-placed finish last season.

In Morrison’s sole season in charge last year, the Wildcats missed the playoffs for the first time in 35 years. Morrison had taken over from club legend Trevor Gleeson, who won five championships while he was at the helm.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MVP sighting ? Welcome back, BC! <a href="https://t.co/acpRZ5xQqV">pic.twitter.com/acpRZ5xQqV</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1560488207003025409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Because it’s been three coaches in three seasons you just unlearn all the things you learned in previous seasons, because all the coaches have different styles,” Cotton said.

“It’s still early to tell and we’re still learning JR’s (Rillie) style of play and what he likes, but I think we’re coming along pretty [well] so far.

“It’s easy sometimes but then in the heat of the battle you might be so used to doing a certain action, so it’s kind of both sides of the fence.

“I think the biggest thing all of us are doing is taking the season for what it is.”

Rillie has turned to a number of high-profile new recruits to help him implement his style of play, with TaShawn Thomas, Brady Manek and Corey Webster all linking up in Perth.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New faces on the floor. ? <a href="https://t.co/ad9bGcgKsG">pic.twitter.com/ad9bGcgKsG</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1559071192904237057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thomas has already been on a globetrotting career that saw him garner strong success, particularly in Israel, while Manek is set to undertake his first professional after a stellar college career. Webster is already a known quantity in the league having won three titles with the Breakers.

“All of them bring unique skillsets that we can all benefit from,” Cotton said of the signings.

“Tashawn is a great defender, rebounder, high-energy guy, Brady is a shooter and then Corey is just an all-around player.

“It’s great to have them on our side and I’m looking forward to building chemistry.”

Cotton boasts a remarkable record in the NBL, averaging more than 22 points a game across his six seasons at the Wildcats, and making the league's All-NBL First Team in five consecutive seasons.