John Rillie throws 17-year-old at the MVP candidate

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Wildcats head coach John Rillie said it was a "next man up mentality", but in reality it was "next teenager up" as Perth held off the New Zealand Breakers 97-93 in Round 2 of NBL27 at RAC Arena on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Rillie, grappling with a point guard dilemma, sent 17-year-old Marley Sam ($58,500) at MVP candidate Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) for all seven minutes he was on the floor.

The Wildcats are expecting NBA veteran Brandon Knight ($277,000) next week, while injured backup PG Jaron Rillie ($177,100) is still weeks away.

"Next-man-up mentality," Rillie said.

"The nice thing about our roster is we've got experience in the frontcourt. Angus (Brandt) gets an opportunity, (Jesse) Wagstaff did what he did, and the young guys in Cam (Huefner) and Alex (Higgins-Titsha) came in and had moments as well. We found a way to cover Jo's loss. There's opportunity for everyone right now."

Angus Brandt ($100,000) played just over 19 minutes after Jo Lual-Acuil Jr ($318,100) left the game after 7:38 minutes with an apparent calf injury.

Rillie said the Wildcats were playing by "committee" and for 95 seconds he had the oldest player in the league, Jesse Wagstaff ($84,700), playing alongside the youngest player in the league, Sam, in the third quarter.

"Over the course of our weekend, we had different guys create different patches of momentum for us," Rillie said.

"It's a beautiful thing when Wagstaff does it because it gets a lot of people involved. The energy is different; his teammates get excited. Then we found different ways to get it done in the fourth quarter.

"Any good team needs those moments and needs to capitalise. Wags did a terrific job of getting the momentum back in our favour tonight.

"There are a lot of ways you look at it, but right now we have to do it by committee.

"I would like Marley to read the scouting report and understand that probably taking Parker one-on-one in his first NBL game is a learning for him.

"But that's who we are. We know that's what we have to be right now, and we're doing a good job of finding ways to facilitate through different avenues."

PJC had his way with Sam as NBL colour commentator Damon Lowery asked, "Is Parker going to take this personal? Co-commentator and former NBL MVP Derek Rucker responded: "100% he is."

But the joy of youth, Sam came back in his second shift and did a much better job.

"He had a graduation yesterday and then he goes to that," Rillie added.

"That's the life he's living right now. A steep learning curve, for sure, and he'll be better for that experience."

Dylan Windler ($271,100) produced the best game of his NBL27, pouring in 26 points, pulling down eight boards, and dishing three assists to be +16 in 35 minutes, while Thursday's game-winner, Elijah Pepper ($202,700), put up 25 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

"The age gap is really crazy," Windler said of Wagstaff and Sam.

"Wags is great for us, and Marley has been awesome. He's got a bright future ahead of him.

"There were some struggles tonight, but he's a heck of a kid. He's got a good head on his shoulders; he works hard, and I think he's going to be successful in this league."

On his own contribution, Windler said: "I felt good. I just tried to stay engaged and get involved in actions wherever that is for us, whether it's off the ball, on the ball or mixing it up.

"I'm trying to find ways to impact the game, whether that's on the glass or at the defensive end. I was able to make a few shots, which helps, but overall I'm just trying to stay aggressive."

Gordon Herbert's Breakers have lost two straight road games after winning their first at home.

"I thought our basketball performance was better than a few days ago," Herbert said.

"We had a couple of good days of practice, and we're still learning how to play basketball. Our compete level is good, but the basketball part needs to get a lot better.

"I thought Parker was outstanding, but he has to do everything. We need another ball-handler. I think that's evident."

What you need to know

• Perth Wildcats beat New Zealand Breakers 97-93 at RAC Arena in NBL27 Round 2.
• Perth won two of the four quarters, 22-26, 25-25, 29-22 and 21-20, and did not lead for good until 8:23 of the fourth.
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright top-scored for New Zealand with 30 and eight assists on 12-from-19, and Dylan Windler led Perth with 26 on 8-from-18.
• The game turned at the three-point line. Perth made 15 of 35 from deep, and New Zealand made eight of 24, a 21-point difference in a game decided by four.
• New Zealand shot better from the field, 36-from-65 to 32-from-72, but Perth pulled 19 offensive rebounds to their 10.

Perth Wildcats

• Dylan Windler ($271,100) top-scored with 26 points and eight rebounds on 8-from-18, and did not miss at the line, 7-from-7.
• Elijah Pepper ($202,700) added 25 points and five assists on 8-from-16, hitting five of his ten three-point attempts.
• Anthony Dell'Orso ($100,000) scored 15 and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds on 5-for-14 shooting.
• Kristian Doolittle ($317,500) scored 12 on 4-for-6 with five rebounds and four assists.
• Jesse Wagstaff ($84,700) scored 10 off the bench on 4-for-9 in under 13 minutes before fouling out.
• Cameron Huefner ($58,500) hit his only attempt, a three, off the bench.
• Jo Lual-Acuil Jr ($318,100) started but played 7:38 and went 0-for-3 for two points before leaving the game with a calf injury.
• Perth shot 32-for-72 from the field, 15-for-35 from three, and 18-for-21 at the line, with 42 rebounds, 20 assists, and 14 turnovers.

New Zealand Breakers

• Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) led all scorers with 30 points and eight assists on 12-for-19.
• Mojave King ($189,100) added 18 points on 7-from-9, including 4-from-5 from three.
• Carlin Davison ($121,600) scored 15 off the bench on 7-for-10 with six rebounds and two blocks.
• Sam Mennenga ($303,100) had 12 points and four rebounds on 5-for-7.
• Charles Bediako ($277,000) was perfect from the field, 3-for-3, for eight points with two blocks.
• Kouat Noi ($185,100) scored eight off the bench on 2-for-4 from the field and 4-for-5 at the line.
• Dejan Vasiljevic ($144,000) went 0-for-8, including 0-from-5 from three, and finished with two points and four assists.
• New Zealand shot 36-for-65 from the field, 8-for-24 from three, and 13-for-20 at the line, with 30 rebounds, 22 assists, and 14 turnovers.