Back on Dech! Title-winning Wildcat returns to Perth
Dech was a part of the 'Cats squad for titles in 2013-14 and 2018-19, with the South Sudanese-Australian enjoying success in the west after starting as a development player with his hometown team.
Having had stops at Illawarra and Adelaide, and rising to become one of the NBL's best defensive guards, Dech is now back in Wildcats red to help add depth to the club's backcourt amid the exit of Bryce Cotton.
'When you grow up and it's your childhood team and then you end up playing for them, it's always something you dream of, coming in and finishing your career at the team where it all started,' Dech said.
'By no means am I close to finishing my career, but it is something that I'm excited and grateful that it's happened earlier, rather than later in my career. Dech as a Wildcat in 2019. Credit: Kelly Defina / Getty Images
'I had a really good foundation at the Cats with a lot of good veterans and a lot of people that I looked up to.
'Over my time in Adelaide and Illawarra, I've been able to gain a wealth of knowledge there as well.
'I'm looking forward to coming back and trying to use that to push our team forward as much as I can and I'm excited to be back home in the red and black.' Dech (right) with the Wildcats in 2019. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images
Dech represented South Sudan at last year's Olympics, and was in the starting line-up for 14 games at the 36ers last season to help lead the side into the NBL's play-in tournament.
Wildcats general manager Danny Mills described Dech as 'a respected leader throughout the league' who would give Perth's roster a big boost.
'He adds great size and depth on the wing, brings versatility on the defensive end, and his skill set offensively fits well with the core group of players we have returning.'
Dech will be reunited with Jesse Wagstaff in Perth after the veteran recommitted for a 17th NBL season, while import duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have also been signed up as the Wildcats begin the post-Cotton era.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
I don't look at that stuff: Bashir plays down Lyon jibe
Shoaib Bashir has said he is unfazed at Nathan Lyon's lukewarm assessment of him, despite England's first-choice spinner being an admirer of his Australian rival for many years. With 562 wickets in 139 Tests, Lyon has been one of the standard bearers for his generation and is poised to be Australia's frontline spinner for this winter's blockbuster Ashes against England. The 37-year-old is well-known for stoking the pre-Ashes flames and suggested at a Cricket Australia function a fortnight ago that Jack Leach is still England's best spinner, adding Bashir "has been OK". Bashir, currently recovering from surgery on the little finger of his left hand, was unmoved by the jibe, as he told the PA news agency: "Everyone has their own opinions and that's fine. "I just stick to what I believe and what the people around me believe. I don't really look at that stuff." Bashir was far more complimentary towards Lyon as the 21-year-old added: "I've never crossed paths with him but I have been watching him since I was young. "I do enjoy the way he bowls, especially his overspin, it's a great asset he has, and the amount of revs he puts on the ball. He's someone I've been looking at for a while now." Taller than Lyon at 6ft 4in but with the same wiry frame, Bashir, whose 68 Test wickets have been at a modest average of 39, has been tipped to capitalise on excess bounce often found on Australian pitches. A reconnaissance mission Down Under last winter yielded just four wickets in five matches for England Lions but Bashir, having worked under Graeme Swann there, feels better prepared for the experience. Bashir said: "I learned you do get bounce but you've got to find a way to use that. I've got height but there's more than just height to extract bounce from the wicket. Just small technical things. "It's just (about) nailing what I do best. If you look at my attributes - I'm tall and try to put as many revs on the ball as I can, with that comes variations. "I'm still learning, still quite young, I'm still trying develop my game and better myself day-by-day. That will never stop. I love talking about the game and I love learning." Bashir is likely to get his first experience of Ashes cricket on November 21 in Perth, having featured in a hotly-contested series against India this summer where there were a number of flashpoints. The battle for the urn could see more heated scenes and Bashir, usually a cool customer, insisted he would not be afraid to stand his ground as England look for a first win in Australia since 2010-11. He said: "Don't be surprised if I do have a word but I genuinely like to keep things cool. If things do get heated then I'm there. "It would be special and a great achievement (to win the series), especially with this regime at the moment. We're looking forward to what it brings."
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
I don't look at that stuff: Bashir plays down Lyon jibe
Shoaib Bashir has said he is unfazed at Nathan Lyon's lukewarm assessment of him, despite England's first-choice spinner being an admirer of his Australian rival for many years. With 562 wickets in 139 Tests, Lyon has been one of the standard bearers for his generation and is poised to be Australia's frontline spinner for this winter's blockbuster Ashes against England. The 37-year-old is well-known for stoking the pre-Ashes flames and suggested at a Cricket Australia function a fortnight ago that Jack Leach is still England's best spinner, adding Bashir "has been OK". Bashir, currently recovering from surgery on the little finger of his left hand, was unmoved by the jibe, as he told the PA news agency: "Everyone has their own opinions and that's fine. "I just stick to what I believe and what the people around me believe. I don't really look at that stuff." Bashir was far more complimentary towards Lyon as the 21-year-old added: "I've never crossed paths with him but I have been watching him since I was young. "I do enjoy the way he bowls, especially his overspin, it's a great asset he has, and the amount of revs he puts on the ball. He's someone I've been looking at for a while now." Taller than Lyon at 6ft 4in but with the same wiry frame, Bashir, whose 68 Test wickets have been at a modest average of 39, has been tipped to capitalise on excess bounce often found on Australian pitches. A reconnaissance mission Down Under last winter yielded just four wickets in five matches for England Lions but Bashir, having worked under Graeme Swann there, feels better prepared for the experience. Bashir said: "I learned you do get bounce but you've got to find a way to use that. I've got height but there's more than just height to extract bounce from the wicket. Just small technical things. "It's just (about) nailing what I do best. If you look at my attributes - I'm tall and try to put as many revs on the ball as I can, with that comes variations. "I'm still learning, still quite young, I'm still trying develop my game and better myself day-by-day. That will never stop. I love talking about the game and I love learning." Bashir is likely to get his first experience of Ashes cricket on November 21 in Perth, having featured in a hotly-contested series against India this summer where there were a number of flashpoints. The battle for the urn could see more heated scenes and Bashir, usually a cool customer, insisted he would not be afraid to stand his ground as England look for a first win in Australia since 2010-11. He said: "Don't be surprised if I do have a word but I genuinely like to keep things cool. If things do get heated then I'm there. "It would be special and a great achievement (to win the series), especially with this regime at the moment. We're looking forward to what it brings."
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Star Demon hits top gear in dominant win over Bulldogs
An Olivia Purcell masterclass has propelled Melbourne to a dominant 48-point AFLW win over the Western Bulldogs. Purcell finished with a monster haul of one goal, 33 disposals and seven clearances to help the Demons steamroll the hosts 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) and retain the Hampson-Hardeman Cup. But the Demons didn't come out of their fourth straight win over the Bulldogs unscathed, with ruck-forward Tayla Harris suffering an eye injury. Harris showed glimpses of her All-Australian best in her first game back from a shoulder injury, before being forced out in the second quarter. After pulling off a trademark speccy just moments earlier, Harris copped an arm to her face in a marking contest with Bulldogs counterpart Alice Edmond. The 28-year-old had only played one game last year, requiring surgery after hurting her left shoulder. Melbourne, semi-finalists the previous year, missed the top eight in her absence. Tyla Hanks was just as busy on Saturday with 29 disposals, and kicked two goals to match Kate Hore and Eden Zanker. The Western Bulldogs had their own returning star, with former skipper Ellie Blackburn collecting 17 touches through managed minutes. Blackburn was limited to three games last season before hurting her foot. Jasmyn Smith was the Bulldogs' main ball winner with 21 disposals. Demons debutant Maggie Mahoney was denied the first goal of the game on the line by Bulldogs defender Issy Grant. Melbourne found the opener from an unlikely source, defender Shelley Heath breaking through almost 13 minutes into the first quarter. It was Heath's fifth goal in her eighth AFLW season. Demons skipper Hore then hit the scoreboard to help set up a 12-point lead at halftime after intercepting a dangerous kick-out meant for Grant. Heidi Woodley slotted the home side's first - and only - goal after winning a scrap in the second quarter. Bulldogs midfielder Jess Fitzgerald could have reduced the halftime deficit after the siren but hit the post with her set shot. Melbourne's ascendancy continued well into the second half, building a 39-point lead after kicking 4.3 against the scoreless Bulldogs in the third quarter. An Olivia Purcell masterclass has propelled Melbourne to a dominant 48-point AFLW win over the Western Bulldogs. Purcell finished with a monster haul of one goal, 33 disposals and seven clearances to help the Demons steamroll the hosts 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) and retain the Hampson-Hardeman Cup. But the Demons didn't come out of their fourth straight win over the Bulldogs unscathed, with ruck-forward Tayla Harris suffering an eye injury. Harris showed glimpses of her All-Australian best in her first game back from a shoulder injury, before being forced out in the second quarter. After pulling off a trademark speccy just moments earlier, Harris copped an arm to her face in a marking contest with Bulldogs counterpart Alice Edmond. The 28-year-old had only played one game last year, requiring surgery after hurting her left shoulder. Melbourne, semi-finalists the previous year, missed the top eight in her absence. Tyla Hanks was just as busy on Saturday with 29 disposals, and kicked two goals to match Kate Hore and Eden Zanker. The Western Bulldogs had their own returning star, with former skipper Ellie Blackburn collecting 17 touches through managed minutes. Blackburn was limited to three games last season before hurting her foot. Jasmyn Smith was the Bulldogs' main ball winner with 21 disposals. Demons debutant Maggie Mahoney was denied the first goal of the game on the line by Bulldogs defender Issy Grant. Melbourne found the opener from an unlikely source, defender Shelley Heath breaking through almost 13 minutes into the first quarter. It was Heath's fifth goal in her eighth AFLW season. Demons skipper Hore then hit the scoreboard to help set up a 12-point lead at halftime after intercepting a dangerous kick-out meant for Grant. Heidi Woodley slotted the home side's first - and only - goal after winning a scrap in the second quarter. Bulldogs midfielder Jess Fitzgerald could have reduced the halftime deficit after the siren but hit the post with her set shot. Melbourne's ascendancy continued well into the second half, building a 39-point lead after kicking 4.3 against the scoreless Bulldogs in the third quarter. An Olivia Purcell masterclass has propelled Melbourne to a dominant 48-point AFLW win over the Western Bulldogs. Purcell finished with a monster haul of one goal, 33 disposals and seven clearances to help the Demons steamroll the hosts 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) and retain the Hampson-Hardeman Cup. But the Demons didn't come out of their fourth straight win over the Bulldogs unscathed, with ruck-forward Tayla Harris suffering an eye injury. Harris showed glimpses of her All-Australian best in her first game back from a shoulder injury, before being forced out in the second quarter. After pulling off a trademark speccy just moments earlier, Harris copped an arm to her face in a marking contest with Bulldogs counterpart Alice Edmond. The 28-year-old had only played one game last year, requiring surgery after hurting her left shoulder. Melbourne, semi-finalists the previous year, missed the top eight in her absence. Tyla Hanks was just as busy on Saturday with 29 disposals, and kicked two goals to match Kate Hore and Eden Zanker. The Western Bulldogs had their own returning star, with former skipper Ellie Blackburn collecting 17 touches through managed minutes. Blackburn was limited to three games last season before hurting her foot. Jasmyn Smith was the Bulldogs' main ball winner with 21 disposals. Demons debutant Maggie Mahoney was denied the first goal of the game on the line by Bulldogs defender Issy Grant. Melbourne found the opener from an unlikely source, defender Shelley Heath breaking through almost 13 minutes into the first quarter. It was Heath's fifth goal in her eighth AFLW season. Demons skipper Hore then hit the scoreboard to help set up a 12-point lead at halftime after intercepting a dangerous kick-out meant for Grant. Heidi Woodley slotted the home side's first - and only - goal after winning a scrap in the second quarter. Bulldogs midfielder Jess Fitzgerald could have reduced the halftime deficit after the siren but hit the post with her set shot. Melbourne's ascendancy continued well into the second half, building a 39-point lead after kicking 4.3 against the scoreless Bulldogs in the third quarter.
