UTD-407-115_Gameday_Program_2018-19_RND_1_V2

With every Goulding three-point bucket – of
which there were five – the United faithful
grew in voice and when he drained a massive
triple halfway through the last quarter to give
Melbourne a 23-point lead, the roar almost
blew the roof off Hisense Arena.
Goulding finished the game with 23 points
and claimed Grand Final MVP honours to
cap off a season of leadership and unselfish
play from the captain. Ware never let up and
recorded 23 points in the Championshipclinching
game.
In his first season as head coach of
Melbourne United, Dean Vickerman led his
team to the Championship after building
a culture of trust and honesty within the
team. His defensive-first mindset saw United
transform into a beast on defence and
suffocate opposition teams.
With so much to celebrate and reflect on
from last season before tip-off, when that
first buzzer sounds for season 2018/19 it will
be a new Melbourne United squad looking to
defend the title and take care of home court
against the New Zealand Breakers.
Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron is one
of the most exciting players in the NBL
and he will partner Ware and Goulding in a
backcourt that has an extraordinary amount
of firepower.
In his first season in the NBL, import DJ
Kennedy will be called upon to play an
array of roles for United. The versatile forward
can get it done on the offensive end with
an ability to score the ball and distribute
at a high rate.
Perhaps more importantly, Kennedy can
create havoc on the defensive end with
his willingness to get his hands dirty by
doing whatever is required of him.
Craig Moller, Dave Barlow and Peter Hooley
were all key pieces in last season’s success
and will once again be required to produce
in big moments throughout the season.
Strap in United fans, it’s going to be a
big season of Melbourne basketball.
Whilst last season was fun, 2018/19
promises to be just as exciting for Melbourne
United fans.
Superstars Casper Ware, Chris Goulding
and Josh Boone are back, while the additions
of Mitch McCarron, DJ Kennedy, Alex Pledger
and Dan Trist will be key pieces to the
United puzzle.