Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson has revealed the team will make significant changes to its playing style during their championship defence in a bid to keep up with the modern game.

The Wildcats have dominated the NBL with a hard-nosed defensive attitude which has played to the strengths of their core group of players.

But the squad has undergone significant change with the departure of centres Angus Brandt and Tom Jervis, and the retirement of vice-captain Greg Hire. Perth have also changed their assistant coaches.

Gleeson spend the off-season working with Indiana Pacers at the NBA Summer League and is determined to utilise new tactics. He said Wildcats fans would notice a different style when practice matches began against Adelaide next week.

“The game is changing and evolving,” Gleeson said.

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“We certainly don’t want to play the same style that we did last year or we’re going to get swamped. We think we are very versatile. We’ve got five guys on the floor who can shoot at once and that’s going to be pretty lethal. Defensively we can be a little bit more active.

Camera Icon Trevor Gleeson’s Wildcats will shift their playing style this season. Credit: Getty Images

“If you stay still doing the same stuff, you are going to get in trouble. The game evolves. Spending that little bit of time in the US in the Summer League, I got to see how the game is evolving. We’re going to embrace that and try to work it into our system.”

The Wildcats will play practice matches against Adelaide in Bunbury, Mandurah and Joondalup next week. Gleeson said that would be their opportunity to adjust to the new style.

Import centre Dario Hunt will be given plenty of time to work alongside Bryce Cotton and Terrico White while Gleeson is keen to trial teenager Wani Swaka Lo Buluk as a point-guard. He is also looking to increase Rhys Vague’s court time.

Australian Boomer Nick Kay is the only player unavailable for the practice games but Gleeson said captain Damian Martin would be eased into his season with restricted minutes in each game.

Martin injured his calf during practice matches last year and that impacted upon his start to the season.

“Damo is firing right now. He’s doing some of the good stuff that Damo does on the court,” Gleeson said.

“We’ll monitor that and how he goes. We’d like to play him in all three games but probably with minutes reduced. I also want to give other guys opportunities to play out there.”