United Still Run Melbourne - Photo Journal
There is always a heap of passion and energy in the air when Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix face off. It’s the Melbourne rivalry. “The Throwdown”. A match-up that people are always going to be invested in.
Melbourne United have existed a lot longer than the Phoenix. Ever since the South East Melbourne Phoenix were formed, they’ve been chasing down United. It’s just the way it works. You arrive in a town that another team already lives in and it’s theirs until you take it from them.
Whether it’s right or wrong, South East are viewed as the “baby brother” of Melbourne. The team trying to chase down big brother. They have come close but close is what it has stayed at, for now. No matter how well the Phoenix are travelling each season, they can’t seem to get over the hump that is Melbourne United.
Yes they’ve beaten them, but when it has mattered most they have come up short. They’re in a groove, they’re playing well, but the older sibling has made a habit of bringing them back down to reality.
That’s exactly what happened in the latest instalment of their rivalry, after United got a big win on a Thursday night (December 14).
Bigger than basketball
Forget the on court action to begin with, the most joyful moments of the night was seeing the great man Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams in the arena.
Former NBL MVP turned commentator and media talent extraordinaire, Corey put a huge stamp on this league in many ways and things haven’t been the same without him around town. He’s currently battling some health conditions but I just want to say that the love in the air for Corey was felt by all.
It was really quite moving. It was the first time he was back at a game and instant smiles came across people’s faces when realising he was there.
It was a special moment. The basketball community is so much more than just basketball.
Blink and you miss it
Blink and you look up to the scoreboard reading a 20 point advantage to Melbourne United. That’s what it felt like Thursday night in the first half.
They are just such a well rounded team with a lot of guys that can make a difference quickly, on both ends of the floor.
It’s no wonder many had them as pre season favourite’s purely by looking up and down their roster a few times.
Battle of the big men
This is what everyone wanted to see. Within the game are several games and in this case it was Jo Lual Acuil Jr. and Alan Williams as the main characters.
Both had their moments. Alan Williams had a personal one against JLA as pictured here with the clean block. Speaking of blocks, Lual Acuil Jr. tallied 7 of them which tied the most in a game in the 40-minute NBL era.
A fun contest but you have to give the nod to JLA.
Jo Lual Acuil Jr. - 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 blocks, W
Alan Williams - 12 points, 16 rebounds, L
Teasing the crowd
This was technically a South East Melbourne home game. The arena was in green, most fans were rooting for the Phoenix and there were multiple occasions where I thought, “alright, now is where they make their run back into the contest.”
They were still down 10-20 points each time but there were moments of momentum where they really flirted with the idea of making this a serious ball game.
While it wasn’t to be, I appreciated the efforts of Alan Williams and Ben Ayre specifically who tried to fire up the crowd on different occasions.
Inspiring the youth
Now this moment was very wholesome.
At most basketball games you will find a dance team that come out during breaks in play and do there thing. Waiting courtside tonight with a huge grin on her face was this young fan.
She honestly looked super happy and almost jealous of the ladies within her reach.
The way she is trying to reach out to them really makes me think that she idolises them and wants to be them one day, and if she is, let’s re-circle this photo yeah?
The back breaker
Ah, the joy of getting your spirits absolutely crushed by a Chris Goulding 3.
Whenever the Phoenix would make a shot or two, get a stop, find a bit of momentum back in the game, my thoughts went to Chris Goulding and how at any second he could pop up with a 3 or 2 in a minute of play and just crush the souls of South East Melbourne.
Now it didn’t exactly happen that way but the threat of it realistically happening at any moment is what makes CG so good. He did make a wild four point play in the final minutes though, which served as a final cherry on top.
Unafraid
I referenced South East Melbourne as the baby brother earlier, which I know they’d hate, but they have fight, let’s not get that twisted.
The scoreboard wasn’t kind to them at many stages in this one but ‘scared’ was not a term that resembled their play.
Ben Ayre barking at United’s bench, Mitch Creek as the leader, they’ve proven they can compete with Melbourne but they just can’t do it consistently yet.
One day the little brother will grow enough to beat older brother consistently, but today is not that day.
‘Melbourne’ chants hit John Cain Arena
The Phoenix had to of heard it, the “Melbourneeee” chants that swept over John Cain Arena during the fourth quarter as United continued to press.
As mentioned before, this was not a Melbourne United home game.
The final score was 106-78 in United’s favour and I hope South East Melbourne did hear the chants, and remember them for next time.
Taking note
Days before this game was played the Phoenix had officially signed Abdel Nader as their new import.
I enjoyed the sight of him standing at the back of South East’s bench just observing, taking it all in.
Now I don’t know what Nader’s personality is like, I don’t know how he will fit with this team but I do hope that he was taking note of this game. Taking note of United coming into their gym as visitors, as rivals, and walking away with a comfortable win while the crowd chanted their name as they exited the building.
Until next time.