{"id":223909,"date":"2025-10-19T00:16:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T00:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/223909\/"},"modified":"2025-10-19T00:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T00:16:09","slug":"rillie-explains-jones-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/223909\/","title":{"rendered":"Rillie explains Jones exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has opened up on why the club decided to part ways with their star import, Mason Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During Friday’s media availability, Rillie, soon after the club made the announcement on Jones, explained that his team needed to make a move for someone who was a better ‘fit’ to ‘balance’ out his group, who suffered a tough home loss to Brisbane on Wednesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cStatistics never play a part in this. In my time, there have been some imports come under a lot of scrutiny that haven\u2019t been performing well and we stuck with them. We just need to find a different balance,\u201d Rillie said during the media availability.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the fit for the group. We\u2019ve made some quality additions to our roster and until you get the band together, you don\u2019t exactly know how they will look and how the instruments will sound together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re putting a roster together in the off-season, you don\u2019t exactly know the dynamic. We\u2019ve made our decision, we’ll move on, Mason will move on. We have to be ready to go against Sydney.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

In terms of Jones’ replacement, Rillie admitted it would be unlikely that his side would sign someone ahead of the club’s next home game on October 25 against Illawarra.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike any team, you are always assessing. It\u2019s not an exact science,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We want to find the best player we feel will complement what we have already seen in our first five games.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been conversations around this. As an organisation we felt like this was the right move and correct fit moving forward for our group. <\/p>\n

“In these moments, you always have to think about the franchise, the team and where we\u2019re trying to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wildcats’ Round 5 clash with Sydney tips off at 4.30pm AEDT on Sunday, live on ESPN and 10 DRAMA.<\/p>\n

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