Rillie expects ‘a lot of emotion’ in Cotton clash

When it was first announced that Bryce Cotton would be trading his Perth Wildcats uniform for that of the Adelaide 36ers, it sent shockwaves through the basketball world.

Cotton was part of the Wildcats fabric, winning five MVPs during his 258 games in the red and black.

The three-time champion said it wasn't his decision to leave, rushed to make a call on his future, before being sent a statement effectively announcing his departure while he was playing in Puerto Rico.

In the ensuing days, the Wildcats labelled it "a horrible decision we had to make", forced to move on from their marquee man in a bid to build out their NBL26 roster.

Two weeks later, owner Mark Arena created more headlines, saying the club had "no regrets" parting ways with their superstar.

A cheeky "no regrets" call-out on from Cotton on social media following a 53-point haul was brushed off as a throwback to a motivational line from his high school coach.

It's fair to say there's been tension between Cotton and his former club since his highly publicised departure.

If a third versus fifth clash in front of a sold-out crowd on a Sunday afternoon didn't already have huge repercussions, Cotton's first game against his old team makes it an absolute blockbuster.

Nevertheless, the man himself is playing down the significance of playing against a club where he made such incredible memories.

"They’ve said what they’ve said, I’ve spoken my truths, and I feel like both parties have moved on," Cotton said on 1629 SEN SA this week.

"It's just another game for me.

"I understand everybody has to hype up the game, but there's no bad blood between me and my teammates or me and the coaches, so it's just another game.

"It's going to be good to see the guys and I'm looking forward to it.

[The main thing though is] coming away with the win."

Cotton is dominating in Adelaide, averaging a career-high 28.8 points, 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals so far this season.

The Wildcats face an almighty task stopping the 33-year-old.

"You certainly know what to expect, but on the flipside, he’ll know what to expect from us. It’ll be a nice little chess game early on," Perth coach John Rillie told The West Australian.

"Any player that goes against their old club, no matter what the circumstances you leave the club under, you always want to perform well.

"I’m sure in his first game there will be nice energy to it, for sure. Guys have been former teammates, and with him playing against his old club, there will be a lot of emotion in that. But as it goes on, I think that will dissolve."

Sunday's blockbuster, between the 6-2 36ers and 5-5 Wildcats, tips off at 2.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and Channel 10.