"Goosebumps": Five-time champion prepares for emotional return

There are countless storylines from Thursday's mouthwatering blockbuster between Perth and Adelaide at RAC Arena.

From Bryce Cotton's 300th game in the Hungry Jack's NBL to Perth's point guard woes, all eyes will be on this fixture between the two arch-rivals.

Another layer of this exciting fixture is that it marks Trevor Gleeson's first game back in Perth since joining the Adelaide 36ers as Head Coach.

Before coaching overseas, the 58-year-old had one of the most successful stints with Perth in League history, winning five championships and two Coach of the Year awards.

Now just hours before he returns to RAC Arena and plays in front of the Red Army for the first time, Gleeson has opened up about a place he put his 'heart and soul' into over an eight-year span.

"I'll be emotional," Gleeson told The West Australian.

"I really want to be able to thank the Red Army for their love and support for eight years. It's a very special place.

"Seeing the jerseys up in the rafters from all of the championships will pull at my heartstrings. It's a chapter of my life I am very proud of.

"The Wildcats are a big part of my career. I spent eight years building up something, and I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. It will be a really emotional time."

Thursday's Round 2 clash between Perth and Adelaide tips off at 9.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.

‍Read the full story here >> Emotional former Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson opens up about life before return with Adelaide 36ers