New playbook: Imports to take centre stage in Melbourne

Melbourne United’s ability to back up year after year is just about unmatched in recent NBL history.

They’ve played Finals in seven of the past eight seasons, no mean feat, but despite their incredible consistency, United has ultimately fallen short of a Championship in the past four campaigns.

Finishing first at the end of the regular season in NBL22 and NBL24, and second in NBL25, they haven’t quite been able to get over the final hurdle.

United’s success has been built on its local core, and with good reason. Chris Goulding, Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova have been nothing but incredible. But in the unrelenting race for a Championship, they've recognised the need to evolve.

“I thought last year was quite a unique year where we had seven core guys locked in. This year, we've moved back to a three import model,” coach Dean Vickerman told United’s website.

“The import search is going to take its time. We need to get all three of those positions right, and we’ll be super patient.”

United has secured the signatures of Finn Delany, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson and Next Star Dash Daniels, alongside the existing core of Goulding, Kyle Bowen, Ili and Tanner Krebs.

But there’s still plenty of work to do. Jack White, Dellavedova, Rob Loe and Flynn Cameron have all departed the club, while Ian Clark and Marcus Lee are Free Agents.

“For the imports, the one we’re prioritising right now is putting a guard with Shea and CG,” Vickerman said. “Someone who can be a really high level scorer and a really good two way player.

“We're looking at different guards, smaller shooting guards, but also shooting guards who can play small forward and bring that bigger size. That will shape what our other guard import looks like.

“The other position is our starting centre. We've had some pretty elite people, Ariel Hukporti, JLA (Jo Lual-Acuil Jr), Marcus Lee, and some of those guys are still on the table. But we need to fix or improve on our rebounding.

“So it's going to be a high level rebounder, great defender, someone who can anchor our defence, with great mobility and ability to play above the rim.”

The signing of Delany was a coup for United, returning to the league after time in Spain and Japan.

“We’ve had elite local fours over these past few years; Luke Travers, Jack White, and now Finn Delany,” Vickerman said.

“We feel like it’s such a connector position. Outside of the point guard, that four man initiates a lot of offense for us.

“We think he’s got the high basketball IQ to really initiate our offense at pace, with good ball handling ability and passing ability.

“Then there’s the athleticism and toughness that he’s going to bring to us as well.

“I think he can guard the four, five, and three. He’s versatile in what he can do for us defensively. On the offensive end, he’s a great screener and a good reader of coverages.

“He’s continuing to grow with his three ball ... but yeah, real toughness that he’s going to bring to our group.”

Delany averaged 7 points and 3.9 rebounds across 10 games with Zaragoza, and also spent time in Germany, amongst two stints with the New Zealand Breakers.

He was an All NBL Second Team member in 2021.