Match Preview: Sixers seeking strong start

The Adelaide 36ers will be looking to beat their bogey side and get their Hungry Jacks’ NBL26 campaign off to a flying start when they lock horns with the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday afternoon.

With seven new faces in the line-up after an off-season roster re-fresh, Sixers fans will be eager to see how the side comes together after some strong showings in the pre-season.

It’ll be an official 36ers debut for star signing Bryce Cotton and after a week where player departures were also in the news with Montrezl Harrell leaving the club, Head Coach Mike Wells says the focus is now on basketball.

“Our main focus has always been the NBL season and that's what we've talked about from the beginning of training camp - it's being ready to start the season and then where we go and how we move along during the year,” said Wells.

“This is step one in NBL 26 and it's always really important to get off to a really good start in a 33-game schedule.

“We're focused on that I think we'll be really excited to play on our home court in front of the fans again and start building our brand and our identity with this team this year.”

The Bullets won’t fear Adelaide, having won their last two games at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre as part of a run of six wins from the last seven games against the 36ers.

But on a third straight game on the road and needing to back up after Friday night’s game in Cairns, it’s a chance for Wells’ side to break the hoodoo.

And having had a chance to watch the Bullets in two NBL games already might also help.

“I guess from a scouting point, it's good to just see their habits and tendencies and what they're trying to do,” Wells explained.

“Match-up wise, it's always good to see your opponent a little bit, maybe answer some of the unknowns.

“But they saw us play too. I mean, we've been in the Blitz, and we played (Panathinaikos) on Sunday night so I think both teams will be ready to play.

“It'll be a really fun environment, and it'll be fun to get out there and put on the home uniforms.”

The game will be the 50^th for the 36ers for recently announced co-captain DJ Vasiljevic in his 138^th career NBL game, while his fellow co-captain Isaac Humphries needs just two blocks to hit 200 career blocks in the NBL.

It gives Sixers fans extra reason to pack out the AEC for a 22^nd straight home sell-out, and Wells is excited to be back in front of a packed house.

“I believe we have the best fans in the NBL,” he said.

“We love the Entertainment Centre. We love playing in front of (our fans). There's a different atmosphere, different energy.

“I know everybody's been ready for this. It'll be fun to have Bryce Cotton in a blue uniform in front of our fans at home (on) Sunday.

“I think everybody's excited about that and just potentially where this team can go and what's ahead of us in this journey.”

The Bullets

Brisbane arrives in Adelaide after a tough start to the season. As mentioned, the Bullets have already travelled to New Zealand to face the Breakers with a stop in Cairns on the way.

The Bullets signed Tad Dufelmeier as an Injury Replacement Player during the week, replacing injured captain Mitch Norton, who suffered a hyperextended knee in Round 1 and is expected to be out for up to eight weeks.

While Round 1 yielded a strong win in Auckland, it was a heartbreaking one-point loss in northern Queensland on Friday night after shooting 2/19 from the three point line, before the quick turnaround and trip south to Adelaide.

Tyrell Harrison’s early season form has been a real positive for the Bullets. He backed up a 24-point,15 rebound game against the Breakers with another 22 points and seven rebounds against the Taipans, while the Sixers will also need to be wary of the threats posed by Casey Prather, Javon Freeman-Liberty and Jaylen Adams.

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs BRISBANE BULLETS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday 28 September, 4:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ and on 10 Drama

OVERALL
Played 101, Adelaide 51, Brisbane 50

At Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Played 10, Adelaide 5, Brisbane 5

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 31, 2025 – Bullets 92 def 36ers 89 at AEC

Dec 24, 2024 – Bullets 111 def 36ers 90 at AEC
Dec 6, 2024 – Bullets 102 def 36ers 83 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Feb 9, 2024 – Bullets 102 def 36ers 84 at Nissan Arena, Brisbane
Dec 24, 2023 – 36ers 95 def Bullets 88 at AEC