GDP

R1 vs New Zealand Breakers // 14 Oct 2018
GAMEDAY
WE ARE MELBOURNE
NBL IS
BACK
2017-18 SEASON
WRAP UP, TEAM
LINE-UPS & MORE!
ISSUE 01
TODAY’S GAME
BROUGHT TO YOU BY

GAME DAY
INFORMATION
SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER 2.30PM
V
DOORS OPEN
12:30pm - Members
12:45pm - Non-members
GETTING TO THE GAME
Please note the Melbourne Marathon is scheduled
the same date. Road closures are expected from
4:00am - 1:30pm. Please visit
www.melbournemarathon.com.au for more
information on these closures.
Parking is limited, we recommend using public
transport if possible.
FAN ZONES & ACTIVITIES
Be sure to explore the exterior & interior concourses
to make the most of our fan zones & activities!
TICKET COLLECTION
Ticket collection can be found to the left of the main
entrance of Melbourne Arena. The main entrance
to Melbourne Arena is on the West (city) sideof the
stadium.
GAME DAY SHOW
Get to your seats early to enjoy the whole show!
Come & celebrate with us as we reveal the 2017-
18 Championship Banner, along with 3D court
projections, pyrotechnics, dancers, lightshoes &
more.
MEMBERSHIPS
You save up to 48% on walk-up prices with a
Melbourne United membership. Visit th Club
Desk located opposite Door 2 inside the arena to
purchase a membership. Both season-long & 5
game memberships are available.
MERCHANDISE
Located in the arena foyer opposite the main
entrance you will find out Official Melbourne United
Baller Store. Get kitted out in MU gear. Members
receive a 10% discount! You can also purchase
merch from your seat. Refer to our big screens to
find out how!
SILENT AUCTION
Place your bid before 3/4 time for your chance to
win an inner sanctum BTS experience for you and
a friend at our next home game (Sun 21 Oct). Text
0417 792 404 your bid, name, email address & D.O.B.
Starting bid = $250.
WIFI
Melbourne Arena has FREE WIFI!
FREE HUNGRY JACKS BURGER
If the opposition miss 2 free-throws in a row - YOU
WIN!
STAND TALL MELBOURNE
When the game begins, GET ON YOUR FEET & STAY
ON YOUR FEET until the opposition scores.
REQUEST A SONG FROM THE DJ
Melbourne United’s in-stadium DJ will be playing
tunes throughout the game & you can request a
song! Jump on our Instagram page (@melbunited),
follow us & direct message your request!

Western Stands
Eastern Stands
L1
L4
TO DOOR 1
Northern Stands
TO DOOR 7
2
1
3
DOOR 2 DOOR 8
4
MEMBERS ENTRY
MAIN ENTRY
8
9
7
DOOR 4 DOOR 6
Southern Stands
ATM
ATM
TO DOOR 3
TO DOOR 5
6
L2
L3
5
OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
ENTRANCE D
Club Desk/Information
Indoor Fan Fun Zone
Main Merchandise Store
Club Ticket Collection Point
MU Bus & Jumping Castle
Arena Merchandise Store 1
Group Bookings Meeting Point
Member Enquiry & Sales Desk
Arena Merchandise Store 2
Half Court
Superhoodz Hip Hop Dancers
Toilets
Lifts
Ticketek & Online Ticket Collection Point

MU CHAMPIONSHIP
CELEBRATIONS
It’s fair to say 2018 was a special season
for Melbourne United. In a ruthless and
standard-setting campaign, they claimed
the 2018 NBL Championship in a thrilling
and brutal five-game Grand Final series
against the Adelaide 36ers.
It was a season a tremendous growth –
on and off the court – and tonight we
celebrate the historic 2017/18 season by
unveiling Melbourne United’s maiden
Championship banner.
For everyone involved – from the players
to the fans – it will be a moment to savour
and reflect on the Championship run.
Thinking back to the season that was,
there were so many highlights and games
that will forever be entrenched in Melbourne
basketball history.
Finishing the regular season by winning
14 of the final 16 games provided the perfect
springboard for United as they headed
into the Finals.
Included in that stunning streak were
consecutive nail-biting road wins against
the Illawarra Hawks and Perth Wildcats
in early January.

Against the Hawks, United found themselves
in an 18-point hole early in the third quarter,
but the team – as they did all season long –
didn’t give up and responded emphatically.
A Carrick Felix steal started a run that would
see Melbourne trim the deficit to nine points
at the final break. Chris Goulding (22 points)
and Tai Wesley (12 points and 9 rebounds)
were instrumental down the stretch and
United claimed the gritty win, 79-77.
It was a win that summed up Melbourne’s
season – determined and finding a way
to the job done when in situations in
season’s past, a loss would’ve been the
more likely result.
Another moment in time that is worth
celebrating came courtesy of Josh Boone.
Game two of the Finals match-up against
the New Zealand Breakers was one for the
ages. With scores tied at the conclusion of
the fourth quarter, an intense overtime period
was played and neither team could get the
jump over the other.
It all came down to one play.
With scores level and 2.9 seconds left in
overtime, United called a time-out to figure
out how they were going to book their ticket
to the Grand Final series.
The now infamous play, called by Tai Wesley,
was run to perfection.
The play saw Ware deliver an inbounds pass
to a cutting Josh Boone – past a crucial
screen set by Peter Hooley – who drove hard
to the rim and although Tom Abercrombie
got a piece of his initial shot, Boone – as he
so often does – stayed with it and drained
the buzzer-beating, game-winning, seriesclinching
shot as time expired.
It was a monumental play from Boone that
was the cherry on top of a phenomenal game
that saw the big man post 33 points and 15
rebounds.
The Grand Final series was everything
NBL fans could’ve hoped for. Melbourne
and Adelaide went head-to-head over
five heated games.
Emotions ran high and teams traded barbs
all series long. Although there were some
blow-outs, neither team took a backwards
step and when it mattered most, Melbourne’s
stars rose to the occasion.
With it all on the line in a winner-takes-all
game five at home, superstars Chris Goulding
and Casper Ware ensured Melbourne came
away with the silverware.
United got the jump early and a 34-22 first
quarter had the sold-out Hisense Arena
crowd on their feet and feeling good about
what the next three quarters could bring.

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.

NBL IS
BACK
After celebrating last season’s success
and unveiling the historic 2018 NBL
Championship banner, it will be back to
business for Melbourne United in the
2018/19 home opener.
Their opponent; the New Zealand Breakers
enter the season with some fresh faces and
hopes of challenging for the title. Two of those
new faces are players who helped United to
the 2018 NBL Championship; Tai Wesley and
Majok Majok.
Both will play vital roles for the Breakers and
as all United fans would know, Wesley is
capable of turning a game on its head with
his tough play and willingness to do whatever
is needed.
He is a tough cover for opposing bigs due to
his classy footwork in the paint, and he can
overpower guards with his brute strength.
DJ Kennedy, Craig Moller, Dan Trist and Dave
Barlow will be crucial in slowing down Wesley.
New Zealand’s imports; Shawn Long,
Patrick Richard and Armani Moore will bring
excitement and tough match-ups.

On top of an array of new players, the
Breakers also have a new head coach.
Kevin Braswell has taken over the reins
for New Zealand this season and despite
not having coached in the NBL before, he
has years of experience in New Zealand
basketball leagues.
Whilst there is a sense of new life in New
Zealand, the likes of Tom Abercrombie, Shea Ili
and the returning Corey Webster are all
on board.
United enters the season with a large core
of their Championship squad back on deck,
and additions Mitch McCarron, DJ Kennedy,
Alex Pledger and Dan Trist will bring a new
dynamic to Melbourne.
The United backcourt treble of Casper Ware,
Chris Goulding and Mitch McCarron is going
to be one of the toughest covers in the
league. Each player can score in a variety of
ways and McCarron will quickly show United
fans that he is a force on both ends and
doesn’t mind throwing down a thunderous
dunk either.
The match-up between Chris Goulding and
Corey Webster at the shooting guard
position is a mouth-watering one.
Webster returns to the Breakers this season
for a third stint with the club and his offensive
game has long been considered one of the
best in the NBL. Both players are world-class
scorers and can distribute the ball with great
effectiveness as well.
It’s a match-up that will be crucial in the
outcome of the game.
Over the off-season, long-time United centre
Majok Majok crossed to New Zealand and
long-time Breakers centre Alex Pledger joined
Melbourne. There will be early bragging rights
on the line between the two and with both
taking on their old teams, there will be plenty
of motivation to perform.
In a night that will start with reflecting on a
Championship season, it will be full-steam
ahead as soon as that first-buzzer sounds as
the quest for back-to-back Championships
officially gets underway.

MELBOURNE
UNITED
Coach: Dean Vickerman
#
3
JOSH BOONE
#
7
PETER HOOLEY
#
9
CRAIG MOLLER
#
10
MITCH McCARRON
Height: 208cm
Position: Centre
DOB: 21 Nov 84
Height: 193cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 5 Feb 92
Height: 208cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 22 Aug 94
Height: 190cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 30 Jun 92
#
14
TOHI SMITH-MILNER
#
15
DANIEL TRIST
#
17
DJ KENNEDY
#
20
DAVID BARLOW
Height: 206cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 6 Oct 95
Height: 204cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 29 Aug 92
Height: 198cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 5 Nov 89
Height: 205cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 22 Oct 83
#
21
CASPER WARE JR.
#
35
ALEX PLEDGER
#
43
CHRIS GOULDING
Height: 178cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 17 Jan 90
Height: 218cm
Position: Centre
DOB: 27 Mar 87
Height: 193cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 24 Oct 88

NEW ZEALAND
BREAKERS
Coach: Kevin Braswell
#
4
ARMANI MOORE
#
5
SHEA ILI
#
9
COREY WEBSTER
#
10
TOM ABERCROMBIE
Height: 196cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 25 Mar 94
Height: 183cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 6 Oct 92
Height: 171cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 29 Nov 88
Height: 198cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 5 Jul 87
#
35
PATRICK RICHARD
#
20
JORDAN NGATAI
#
21
SHAWN LONG
#
22
MAJOK MAJOK
Height: 196cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 25 Jan 90
Height: 195cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 7 Mar 93
Height: 206cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 29 Jan 93
Height: 206cm
Position: Centre
DOB: 10 Dec 92
#
42
TAI WESLEY
#
91
JARRAD WEEKS
Height: 201cm
Position: Forward
DOB: 13 May 86
Height: 180cm
Position: Guard
DOB: 11 Jul 89

MELBOURNE UNITED
2018-19 NBL SEASON FIXTURE
HOME
AWAY
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
PERTH WILDCATS
1 FRI 12 OCT 18 - 7.30PM
MON 17 DEC 18 - 7.30PM
9
Win Entertainment Centre
Melbourne Arena
NZ BREAKERS
SYDNEY KINGS
1 SUN 14 OCT 18 - 2.30PM
SUN 23 DEC 18 - 2.30PM
10
Melbourne Arena
ADELAIDE 36ERS
ADELAIDE 36ERS
2 SUN 21 OCT 18 - 2.30PM
WED 26 DEC 18 - 7.30PM
11
Melbourne Arena
PERTH WILDCATS
BRISBANE BULLETS
3 SAT 27 OCT 18 - 2.30PM
SUN 6 JAN 19 - 2.30PM
12
Perth Arena
Qudos Bank Arena
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
CAIRNS TAIPANS
3 MON 29 OCT 18 - 7.30PM
SUN 13 JAN 19 - 5.00PM
13
Melbourne Arena
CAIRNS TAIPANS
PERTH WILDCATS
4 SAT 3 NOV 18 - 7.30PM
SUN 20 JAN 19 - 3.00PM
14
Cairns Convention Centre
SYDNEY KINGS
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
4 MON 5 NOV 18 - 7.30PM
WED 23 JAN 19 - 7.30PM
15
Melbourne Arena
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
ADELAIDE 36ERS
5 THU 8 NOV 18 - 7.30PM
MON 28 JAN 19 - 7.30PM
15
Win Entertainment Centre
CAIRNS TAIPANS
NZ BREAKERS
5 SUN 11 NOV 18 - 2.30PM
FRI 1 FEB 19 - 5.00PM
16
Melbourne Arena
NZ BREAKERS
NZ BREAKERS
6 SUN 3 FEB 19 - 5.00PM
16
FRI 16 NOV 18 - 5.30PM
iLT Stadium Southland
BRISBANE BULLETS
SYDNEY KINGS
6 SUN 18 NOV 18 - 2.30PM
FRI 8 FEB 19 - 7.30PM
17
Melbourne Arena
SYDNEY KINGS
ADELAIDE 36ERS
7 SAT 24 NOV 18 - 2.30PM
SUN 10 FEB 19 - 5.00PM
17
Melbourne Arena
BRISBANE BULLETS
CAIRNS TAIPANS
8 SAT 8 DEC 18 - 2.30PM
THU 14 FEB 19 - 7.30PM
18
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
BRISBANE BULLETS
PERTH WILDCATS
8 MON 10 DEC 18 - 7.30PM
SUN 17 FEB 19 - 2.30PM
18
Melbourne Arena
Melbourne Arena
Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre
Cairns Convention Centre
Perth Arena
Melbourne Arena
Titanium Security Arena
Spark Arena
Melbourne Arena
Qudos Bank Arena
Titanium Security Arena
Melbourne Arena
Melbourne Arena
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2.50pm AEDT
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