How to watch & talking points: Perth v Illawarra

Saturday, October 18, 2025

perth wildcats

illawarra hawks

Desperate duo Perth and Illawarra clash at RAC Arena during NBL26's Indigenous Round.

Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks
Saturday, October 25, 8pm AEDT
RAC Arena

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Talking points‍

Wildcats keep building
It’s been an inconsistent start to NBL26 for the Perth Wildcats, but now they return home to face the Hawks and are looking to build on an impressive win in Cairns. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr was outstanding once again, but it was Kristian Doolittle who looked more aggressive and helped lead from the front for Perth.‍

Hawks' hunger
Tyler Harvey called the Hawks recent loss the “lowest point” for his team and no doubt Justin Tatum would have used the last week to get them fired up for a response. In the last two years, the Wildcats have had success against the Wildcats, but this game will come down to who is more desperate to get a win.

What they're saying‍

Wildcats coach John Rillie on the improvement on offence against Cairns:
‍"A chink is being awfully generous, I would say it's been like a crater (the offence) but we had good ball movement, we had good pace and that comes from the defensive end.

"As far as us as a team, that was kind of the most connected and the most guys that have contributed to winning that we've had."

‍Hawks coach Justin Tatum on the club's match with the Wildcats:
‍"We just want to find a way to win a game.

"Perth shot the ball pretty well last time we were out there. They competed at a high level.

"I know they lost their last two games, but that brings fire out of you as a competitive team, and hopefully [it's] the same thing for us, so we just want to go out there and play well."