A week ago I'd have said the Wildcats by 10+. No Pinder hurts, but probably not as much as no Groves/Armstrong for Cairns. I think Perth with a close road win assuming Windler is back.

Pinder hasn't been great, whereas Armstrong has been fantastic, yes different positions but key players. Cairns have looked great whereas Perth been down slightly. Windler return should help greatly, certainly on the boards. Cotton doesn’t play to many average games. I think this could be very close and maybe Edward’s could get Cairns over the line with the home crowd.

Think Perth are looking at Pinder, Windler and Webster out. So 3 of their starting 5.

I take it back, Webster and Windler are available.
Rillie has made it clear that Webster out is the #1 reason they're losing (facepalm) so in theory, Cats by 30+!!!

Perth will win this

Armstrong is a massive out, while Perth and Cotton at 1-3 are just due for a good performance and I have a feeling we'll see it.

Tipping Perth here.

Would love to see a Rob Edwards v Doolittle match up.

Hope to see a big game from Izan Alamnsa as well

Bryce masterclass incoming.

Never underestimate Cotton, on fire. Doolittle also fantastic, early days.

Fun game so far, refs really letting contact go when players are driving. Makes it frustrating when they call cheap ones elsewhere.

The growth of Doolittle is amazing, he was an understated import at first but he really gives you everything

Yes Doolittle is my type player, tough, smart, very good at both ends, team player first.

It seems like the policy is to not call contact on drives when they're near the ring, but other times like doolittles post up it’s called.

That’s gotta be frustrating

It's not biased I’ve seen it both ways, I still think it’s dumb though

Doolittle and cotton have been upset with Perth defensive rotations during the game. Almost like they don't practice it

Good game, Perth looking good. Lots of improvement in Gak under Forde.

Perth like this in Tasmania to so they need to maintain this intensity for another half and don't lose it with self inflicted wounds like they did in Tasmania

Perth continue to not give Bryce Cotton the ball enough. Only 6 shots in that half, just needed to get him more opportunities after starting on fire.

Cotton got the free throws tips

I can't bare watching Bradshaw. He looks like a gazelle on coke

Isn't that the sequel to cocaine bear?

Unclear if cotton is unhappy with rillie or the refs? Very fired up. And firing too

It's embarrassing how much holding off the ball teams are allowed to get away with on Cotton. I can see it on my tv so if the refs can’t then then don’t know what they are doing?

Bryce trying for the rare 40-50-90 where the 40 is free throws and the 90 is threes

Wildcats are so sloppy at times.

Cotton gonna be the difference in this game I suspect

Jesse with a couple of veteran defensive plays.

He still find ways to help

Refs letting a crazy amount of contact go

I cannsee why Perth often settle for long shots, get absolutely nothing inside... Bc held so much off ball, insane.

Rillie is an idiot.

Well done giving them a sniff

Yep, facepalm.

Thought the refs did good, didn't feel either side got a rough deal. Looked like Cotton was arguing with Rillie at one stage, certainly a solid discussion. Cats got three good imports, if there locals can play the roles required they should be fine. Both sides with quality outs makes it hard to judge, Armstrong got get on the floor for Cairns or they’ll battle.

Cotton is a protected species. And Nostradamus from my first post - 35 points, kicking out on three's (which he doesn't seem to do on many other shots). Would have been 40+ without the FT issues.

The refereeing has been generally really good this year, then we geta 7/8-0 count in the final qtr (admittedly a couple deliberate) with the majority pretty soft.

I'll cop I'm probably biased, but apparently Perth were perfect in the last qtr? Please...

Looked like Cotton was arguing with Rillie at one stage, certainly a solid discussion.

Not even close to being convincing from Perth. There's some real problems in that squad and the new owner should be regretting giving Rillie that long term deal.

SEG offered Rillie the new contract, since they are managing the club for the new owner.

Yep, i haven't seen Bryce so vocal during a game he seems very frustrated. Its hard to say if it was more to do with the way the game is being reffed or with Rillie and his team mates. He definitely shook his head in disbelief when JR called a timeout with 1.4 left in the game. There could be some truth in the contract rumor :(

Reffing was fair but they let of illegal contact happen at times, while calling it at others. There is some consistency with it, but it feels overly physical at times.

Ref's do what they always do, miss the big obvious ones and call the technical or dubious ones. Jumping into a 3pt shooter is absolutely stupid and inexcusable, can we stop making excuses for defenders jumping into a shooter that they have had years to scout.

Oh look what a surprise, another post by AJC wannabe zebra whacking refs. You're so cute with that bone.

Edwards 11 from 27. Never saw a pass he liked!

^^^
Yes Cotton got into his head early, then it was all about Edward's.