How to watch & talking points: Cairns v Melbourne

Friday, October 17, 2025

The red-hot Melbourne United travel north to face the undermanned Cairns Taipans.

Cairns Taipans v Melbourne United
Friday, October 24, 7.30pm AEDT
Cairns Convention Centre

How to watch‍

‍Watch every game live on ESPN.

>> How to watch ESPN

How to follow & live scores

‍Live scores, stats, breaking news and game highlights are available via the new and improved NBL App.

>> Visit Game Centre | Download the free NBL App now

Talking points

History to repeat itself?
‍It was 2016 when Melbourne United began the season 9-0 and their first speed bump came at the hands of the Cairns Taipans. Adam Forde’s team has suffered four 30-point losses already and perhaps that kind of history is what his team needs to spark something and take down the ladder leaders.‍

Goulding a fine wine
‍Chris Goulding has returned to the roster from injury and hasn’t missed a beat. The sharpshooter turns 37 on Friday and is perhaps playing at the best he ever has across his 19-year NBL career. Last week he moved into third all-time in made threes and it looks as if he will continue to make history every time he steps onto the floor.

What they're saying

Taipans coach Adam Forde on the Taipans' form‍
"It was always going to be a tough stretch with our marquee two locals out.

"We have some guys playing out of position and shouldering more of the load than we originally anticipated. That’s not changing anytime soon. This is something we need to fix.

"It’s a roll of the dice at the moment, and we just need everyone to play not perfect basketball, but to their averages and their potential. But when we have two or three players having a rough trot at it, it shows immediately and you get a result like Wednesday."

United coach Dean Vickerman on Friday night's challenge
“It’s always a different challenge when you go up to Cairns.

“We’ve been exceptional on the road at the moment and whatever challenges have presented themselves to this group, they’ve been pretty relaxed with it.

“They (Cairns) shoot a lot of threes, it wouldn’t take them much to hit those at a really high level. We think with Jesse’s (Edwards) protection of the rim and our ability to close out long and make them bounce it is going to be one of the keys to the game.”