Perth Wildcats strive to reach summit once more

Behind the scenes of the season launch of the Perth Wildcats.

SOME of the faces may have changed, but the goal for the Perth Wildcats this season remains the same as always: A championship at all costs.

That was the message from today’s season launch in front of about 400 guests at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the Cats gearing up for a 28th straight appearance in the NBL playoffs in season 2013-14.

Perth remains a warm favourite with bookmakers to be the last team standing at season’s end, with the Cats chasing an NBL record sixth title after coming up agonisingly short in the past two years.

With boom imports James Ennis and Jermaine Beal in tow, and coming off an impressive pre-season tournament win, Perth fans have every reason to feel optimistic ahead of next Friday’s season opener against Adelaide at Perth Arena.

New coach Trevor Gleeson said he was pleased with his side’s progress in the pre-season competition, where Ennis was named tournament MVP.

“I was pretty pleased towards the end – we got better and better,” he said.

“Obviously there’s a number of areas we’re going to have to cover, especially with Matty Knight still not there.

“It probably surprised me a bit – I thought we were a little bit behind, but the guys really stepped up.”

While Gleeson is still yet to finalise his starting five, it is likely Ennis and Beal will join co-captains Damian Martin and Shawn Redhage, with Knight set to return to the five-spot upon his return from an ankle injury next month.

The Cats also unveiled their new-look playing singlets for the upcoming season, as well as broadcasting legend Dennis Cometti as the club’s No.1 ticketholder.

Perth has signed up more than 7,000 members so far this off-season.