Our Perth Wildcats Jersey Battle: which kit is WA’s favourite?
West Aussies love the Perth Wildcats.
Our home team has built a rich history as a national basketball powerhouse, headlined by a jaw-dropping stretch of 33 consecutive NBL finals appearances and a record nine Championships.
Over the decades, local and international players have lit up Perth’s home courts – donning a range of team jerseys while delivering plenty of ups and downs, hits and misses.
To celebrate our ongoing partnership with the Perth Wildcats, this NBL season we’re pitting jersey against jersey to discover which Wildcats kit is the WA fan favourite.
Follow Kleenheat on Facebook for new battles this NBL season – then cast your vote each round for the chance to WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack including the 2019/20 jersey and a $200 Catsgear merchandise voucher!
Black, white, gold or red – which Wildcats jersey has your vote?
Retro or current? Black, white or red? Every Wildcats fan has their pick – so we’re asking you to cast your vote until a winning jersey comes out on top.
Here’s an overview of our contenders:
Season 1982
Three years after the National Basketball League (NBL) began, the Westate Wildcats became the first WA team in the competition.
Coached by Henry Daigle and captained by Mike Ellis, the Wildcats struggled to make a strong impact in their first season and finished in tenth place.
While the black-and-yellow combo didn’t last long, we think the Wildcats’ first NBL jersey has a sentimental case for best ever.
NBL Champions: West Adelaide Bearcats
Wildcats season MVP: Tim Evans
WA Premier: Raymond O’Connor
Australia’s top single: “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
Season 1990
Arguably the most exciting chapter in Wildcats history came in 1990 as the team moved its home court to WA’s then-iconic Perth Entertainment Centre.
Cal Bruton became the Wildcats’ General Manager and led the recruitment of Ricky Grace – who’d help create history with team’s first NBL Championship.
Our local heroes looked clean and crisp in this white and black kit – a jersey design now etched in Perth Wildcats folklore.
NBL Champions: Perth Wildcats
Wildcats season MVP: James Crawford
WA Premier: Carmen Lawrence
Australia’s top single: “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
Season 1994
After several seasons on their home court at the Perth Entertainment Centre, the Wildcats stretched their consecutive NBL finals appearances eight on the back of big game players including James Crawford, Ricky Grace, Andrew Vlahov and Scott Fisher.
A new black and gold jersey marked a fresh look for the Wildcats – worn by many big names in big games – but ultimately failed to enjoy Championship success.
NBL Champions: North Melbourne Giants
Wildcats season MVP: Scott Fisher
WA Premier: Richard Court
Australia’s top single: “Love Is All Around” – Wet Wet Wet
Season 1995
With the Wildcats hungry for more championship success, improvement in scoring power came with new additions Anthony Stewart and Martin Cattalini.
Results were instant with a return to NBL glory through the Wildcats’ third Championship, with captain Andrew Vlahov named Grand Final MVP.
The now-famous red and black colour combo flagged a new era for WA’s home team, with this kit proudly worn by some of the club’s all-time greats.
NBL Champions: Perth Wildcats
Wildcats season MVP: Andrew Vlahov
WA Premier: Richard Court
Australia’s top single: “Gangsta’s Paradise” – Coolio (featuring L.V.)
Season 1999/00
Ownership of the Perth Wildcats passed to three-time NBA champion, Luc Longley, and club great Andrew Vlahov.
Talent on and off the court helped earn the Wildcats their fourth NBL Championship as they overcame the Victoria Titans.
Marcus Timmons was named Grand Final MVP, Paul Rogers won NBL season MVP – both looking sharp in this evolution of the black and red kit.
NBL Champions: Perth Wildcats
Wildcats season MVP: Paul Rogers
WA Premier: Richard Court
Australia’s top selling single: “Baby, One More Time” – Britney Spears
Season 2000/01
Having once again tasted the ultimate success in season 1999/2000, the Wildcats were on the hunt for back-to-back NBL Championships.
While they finish second on the ladder and earn yet another finals appearance, hopes were dashed by eventual Champions the Woolongong Hawks.
This modern, blacked-out jersey showcased a striking new Perth Wildcats logo which remains the club emblem to this day.
NBL Champions: Woolongong Hawks
Wildcats season MVP: Ricky Grace
WA Premier: Richard Court
Australia’s top single: “I’m Outta Love” – Anastasia
Season 2013/14
As Trevor Gleeson took the reins as Head Coach, the Wildcats also welcomed talented imports James Ennis and Jermaine Beal to their roster.
This completed a squad already full of local talent – with an 8-0 start paving the way for a top of the ladder finish and the club’s sixth Championship.
With rouge tones entrenched as the defining colour – and worn proudly by the Red Army – opposition teams saw red in more ways than one against our Wildcats.
NBL Champions: Perth Wildcats
Wildcats season MVP: James Ennis
WA Premier: Colin Barnett
Australia’s top selling single: “Roar” – Katy Perry
Season 2018/19
A pre-season focus on recruitment paid dividends for the Wildcats when they signed American Bryce Cotton on a three-year deal.
At 10–1 at the season’s mid-point, another minor premiership was followed by a ninth NBL Championship with Terrico White named Grand Final MVP.
Stripping things back with a simple, clean and unashamedly red kit – this jersey proves the simple things in life are quite often the best.
NBL Champions: Perth Wildcats
Wildcats season MVP: Bryce Cotton
WA Premier: Mark McGowan
Australia’s top single: “Youngblood” – 5 Seconds of Summer
Follow us on Facebook to cast your vote (and win) this Wildcats season!
Make sure you stay connected with Kleenheat on Facebook to cast your vote on new Wildcats jersey battles throughout the 2019/20 NBL season.
Every vote earns you the chance to WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack including the 2019/20 jersey and a $200 Catsgear merchandise voucher! Competition terms and conditions.
There’s value in getting behind the home team
As WA’s local name in natural gas and LPG, Kleenheat’s proud to be behind our other (more talented) home team – the Perth Wildcats.
Stand together, Western Australia!
1995 for sure ?
Battle 1 (82 Jersey)
Battle 1 (82 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 2 (95 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 3 (2000 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 4 (99 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 5 (95 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 6 (2000 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 7 (95 Wildcats Jersey)
2013/2014 Jersey not only looks cool but was Trevors first season as head coach and cats 6th championship
1995 Wildcats Jersey always holds a special place in any wildcat fan”s heart. It was the peak of the Grace, Fisher, Crawford and Vlahov era, with those awesome Perth Wall adverts. Also, it was the first team to win the minor, regular season and NBL championship in a season. The look of the Black, Red, and White was Iconic. It will take a miracle to replace that team, look, and success.
So many worthy jerseys. I will go with 95
Thanks Anna, make sure you stay connected on Facebook for your chance to vote and WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack!
The 1995 jersey for me. A definite standout and was my first championship year i attended live.
There was nothing better than seeing Andrew Vlahov, James Crawford and Ricky Grace wearing those White singlets in the Perth Entertainment Centre ???
I think for me the best guernsey is 1995.
94 or 95 hard choice
My favorite is definitely the 94, takes me back to so many good memories of arguably the greatest Wildcats team of all time! J.C, Fisher, Grace and the mighty captain Vlahov! Loved those years at the entertainment center
The 1995 Jersey was special and who doesn”t love a throwback
Hey Aaron, make sure you stay connected on Facebook for your chance to vote! You could WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack that includes the 2019/20 jersey and a $200 Catsgear merchandise voucher!
2013/14
The 00 Jersey.. Although we didn”t win the championship it was a great tussle between the two.. The Wildcats embland looks great and hope this will be around for years to come
2013/14
I loved the 95 season.they had a nice jersey and 1 awesome team back then . I think you should choose this one.gotta love the wildcats nice picture.so I hope it wins it epic and all ways will be.so let”s go wild cats woo woo love it
2013/14 Ennis the Menace & Dollar Beal.
”95 jersey is beasttttt!! Go Wildcats!
Battle 5, 95 Jersey Brilliant team
2018/19 but the 1990 jersey a close second
2018/19. 1990 close second
94 Jersey to take it out! represents the colors of the west well.
I got to say the 95″ seasons is my pick reminds me of the good old days of 1998 Ricky Grace Camp.
Love the 1990 Jersey
Thanks Rowena, make sure you stay connected on Facebook for your chance to vote and WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack!
1995 all the way!
1995 for me, go Wildcats. What an awesome team.
1995 for me Go Wildcats
I would have to say 1995
?go the cats !!!!
They are all great in there own right. I do like the 18/19 season
95 for me, exciting players at this time.
1995, love the design. Brings back so many memories.
Hey Matthew, don’t forget to stay connected on Facebook for your chance to vote and WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack including the 2019/20 jersey and a $200 Catsgear merchandise voucher!
2000/01 love it
2000/01 for sure
2000/01 – striking and intimidating.
94 for sure
I love the 1994 jersey for sure
1995 jersey for sure ?
Hey Caitlyn, don’t forget to stay connected on Facebook for your chance to vote! You could WIN a Perth Wildcats prize pack including the 2019/20 jersey and a $200 Catsgear merchandise voucher!
Batlle 1 (82 jersey)
Battle 2 (90 jersey) that was the golden era
Season 2000 without a doubt.
1995 is the one!
Battle 1 (82 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 2 (95 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 3 (2000 Wildcats Jersey)
Battle 4 (99 Wildcats Jersey)
1995!
95 Jersey is the Best. Classic Wildcats memory along with Andrew Vlahov and Ricky Grace to win the 1994-95 NBL Championship.
82 Jersey
1995 hands down
Have to be the 90s for sure good old days of Crawford grace watto Ellis tiny p ??
Thanks Wayne, make sure you stay connected on Facebook for your chance to vote and WIN all season!
2013/14 ?
1995 for sure!
94, captures WA fantastically well in 1 Jersey. Well done
2000/2001 jersey was the best
1982 and 1990 when the club wore a uniform that represented the state. Black and yellow are the colours of Western Australia. In the 90”s the club wore an away strip that was black and yellow. The colours of W.A
They only went black and red in 95 because Coca Cola was the major sponsor so they ditched state tradition for corporate colours.
A shame 82 didn”t win through.
90 was my preferred jersey in Battle 2.
2013/2014 that season was action packed and by far the best jersey
Gotta be 82 , good old black and gold WA .
95
Go awesome wild cats you can do it 1995 jersey. I love it so very much it”s cool. and wild at the same time it the best . I hope you win it 95 wild .you can do it. All the best from Damien
You can do it wild cats 95 .your one awesome dream team you can do it. Go all the way ok . Best wishes from Damien
1995 jersey is the best and all ways will be so go go 95 wild cats your the bomb OK ..s o good luck and all the best.from your number 1 fan .so let”s rock it OK best wishes from Damien
95. I still have my original Ricky grace (15) gurney. It looks way better than 2000
95 jersey is way better then the 2000 .not bad but 95 looks so cool and had one awesome team in the 90s so go retro 95 we love it all ways ok so good luck and all the best from your friends Damien
1995 sums it all up.
1995! Undisputed…