Big names, bigger expectations at United

Photo: Melbourne United Media.

Chris Goulding has anchored a string of Melbourne United powerhouse rosters across his 13 seasons at the club.

He was part of the NBL18 championship side alongside Casper Ware, Casey Prather and Boomers David Andersen and David Barlow, then backed it up on the 2020-21 title squad featuring Jock Landale, Scotty Hopson and Mitch McCarron.

But there's an argument that this NBL27 roster is United's best yet, with Cole Anthony, Joe Ingles, Luke Travers and Josh Oduro all playing in the NBA last season.

"There's a lot of talent [here], and there's some big names," Goulding said to SEN's Dwayne Russell.

"We're going to be a little less traditional in the way that we line up [than previously].

"We've got a lot of guys that can switch and play different positions.

"That'll be a little bit of a rollercoaster as to how we figure out how to play together.

"But that's why these pre-season games like the one coming up on Saturday night [against Cairns] are so important, so we can start to build some chemistry and figure out who likes to do what, to ensure we're ready come September 19 [for our season-opener]."

In particular, fresh off six years in the NBA, Anthony looms as a key figure for both United and the League.

Goulding is embracing playing alongside someone of the pedigree of Anthony, who is slated to make his United debut this weekend.

"The best defender is going to him [Anthony] every time, so I might be off the hook," Goulding said.

This season also marks the first time in nearly a decade that Goulding heads into a campaign without Dean Vickerman at the helm, with Jacob Chance taking charge in the off-season.

"With Dean Vickerman being here for so long, it was kind of ingrained in how we were going to play and the type of team we were gonna be," Goulding said.

"Jacob was an assistant under Dean for a couple of years, so he understands that, but he's also very forward-thinking and has some fresh ideas and wants to play a different style, especially offensively.

"We're going to have to band together and be a really cohesive unit defensively.

"[Honestly] it's been really good, with fresh ideas coming into this pre-season.

"It's like my 18th or 19th pre-season in the League, so a bit of a fresh start has been really good for me, and I'm excited to see where this team can go."

United face Cairns in a pre-season match at Casey Basketball Stadium on Saturday from 6.30pm AEST, before facing Adelaide in their home opener on September 19 at John Cain Arena.