Bench Power

And it's not the same big names dominating night after night, rather, it's the full roster that Kelly and his lieutenants have meticulously shaped in the NBL24 off-season.

The mentality of the group is very much a 'next-man-up' mantra, shown by a whopping 50 point-contribution from the bench in Saturday's roaring victory over the Brisbane Bullets.

Ben Ayre, who has been a shining light this year for South East Melbourne, posted 16 points from the pine, with Rhys Vague having a breakout game for his new franchise with 12 points and six rebounds.

Vague returned to the NBL after three seasons in Japan, and his prowess beyond the arc was up in lights, shooting 75 per cent from deep and proving an incredible asset in the Power Forward position.

(Vague and Ayre were two of the big leaders coming off the bench.)

"It was good to see a couple going in, for sure. The coaches and my teammates have faith in me getting them up. Sometimes just believing in that myself and then putting that into action," Vague said.

The bench has become the ultimate cheer squad for the team wherever they go, and it is something Vague comments on getting the energy up for the team on-court.

"I thought the energy on the bench just from the guys that weren't even playing was fantastic.

"Everyone was getting up and about, but also the starters that came in helped us get into the game, feeding us the ball and playing hard defence, taking predictable shots, which really helped us."

Coach Kelly saw the best cohesion from all players, especially the bench.

"It really was good; the guys that were doing the job stay in there longer. Sometimes that's the starters, sometimes guys coming off the bench, and tonight it was a nice combination," Kelly said.

Phoenix takes on the New Zealand Breakers for the annual 'Teachers Appreciation Game' on Saturday as they look to go 4-0 at home at the Fire Pit. CLICK HERE to secure your seats.