Wagstaff Re-Signing a "No Brainer": Wildcats Legend

The career of one of the NBL’s all-time greats is at a crossroads. At the age of 37, with six championships and 446 career appearances under his belt, Perth captain Jesse Wagstaff’s future is clouded in uncertainty.

As it stands, Wagstaff is the second-longest tenured player in Wildcats history behind the incomparable Ricky Grace, and he sits behind only Grace in the all-time appearance record for the most successful side in the history of the NBL.

The veteran’s past two contracts have both been one-year deals, as both club and player have assessed his future, but long-time teammate and six-time NBL Defensive Player of the Year Damian Martin believes Wagstaff’s ability to continue at the highest level isn’t in doubt.

“Whether the Wildcats want him, or another team wants him, I think there should be a position for him somewhere in the league,” Martin told NBL Media of his six-time championship teammate.

“It comes down to what he wants to do, because he doesn’t have anything left to prove.

“I think he definitely has some more kilometres to go in those legs. John Rilllie, who had a shortened bench last year, still utilised Jesse in games.

“I still think if the game is on the line and you need some big threes or some big screens set, then he’s a guy who, with his basketball IQ and understanding of the game, has the ability to make the big play.

“He’s definitely someone I’ve been encouraging to go around again.”

Damian Martin (L) played in Perth's championship winning sides of 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 with Jesse Wagstaff.

The influence of a player like Wagstaff on a roster goes far beyond the box score, and with the Wildcats’ roster set for a major shake-up following last season’s sixth place finish, he could have a drastic influence on the meshing of the new-look side.

Keanu Pinder, David Okwera, Hyrum Harris and Ben Henshall will all join the club ahead of NBL24, while long-term guard Mitch Norton has headed to the Bullets, and star forward Luke Travers will turn out for Melbourne United.

Todd Blanchfield was released from his contract, while both Corey and Tai Webster will go around again with the club next season.

Martin says the wholesale changes to the roster ahead of NBL24 are reminiscent of when Wagstaff started his professional career.

“It’s a changing of the guard from that Rob Beveridge team, which was a changing of the guard from the teams before ‘Bevo’ took over,” Martin said. “That’s not a bad thing, it’s just the Wildcats now have a different style of play and they’ve got new coaches.

Wagstaff was named as the NBL Rookie of the Year in the 2009-10 season.

“I think it’s a no-brainer to bring him back because of that rebuild. I think Jesse is the perfect guy to be there for that transition period, because these youngsters they’re bringing in – while they’re highly motivated individuals – need to understand what elite daily behaviours are, and that’s what Jesse Wagstaff has had from day one.

“It’s why so many of his teammates have been able to go on and achieve everything they possibly could, because they follow the standards set by someone like a Wagstaff every single day.”

Should Wagstaff be retained by the Wildcats – or picked up by another club in the NBL – he would be far from the first player in the competition’s history to be brought in to provide arguably more influence off the court than on it.

Melbourne’s Brad Newley who, like Wagstaff, is still a more than capable contributor at NBL level, recently signed a one-year contract extension at Melbourne United.

A decision that, according to Martin, could be a masterstroke given Melbourne’s explosion of incoming young talent.

RELATED: Newley Re-Signing Made With World Cup in Mind

“I think it’s fantastic. I’m a huge fan of Newley,” he said.

“I got to play alongside him, and I love that he’s re-signed exactly for that veteran role.

“These guys can ask him questions, he can share his experiences of playing in the Olympics, the World Cup, playing in Europe.

“It’s the level-headedness of these guys who don’t get overawed by any occasion, they’ve been there for hundreds of games, they’ve played in finals and in every possible situation.

“That calmness becomes contagious, and their behaviours are going to help speed up and improve the development of their teammates.”