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.

Don’t forget the Kleenheat Hot Shot – there’s $20,000 up for grabs

Following us on Facebook also keeps you in the loop on a range of Wildcats competitions and giveaways – including our Kleenheat Hot Shot worth $20,000 – giving you the chance to experience all the fun and excitement of a Perth Wildcats home game on us!

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!