The 'big brother beatdown' in Throwdown

Melbourne United gave South East Melbourne a big brother beatdown on Thursday night according to Liam Santamaria, who believes United flexed their muscles right as the Phoenix were starting to make some noise in the landscape of the competition.

A monster performance from Jo Lual-Acuil Jr led United to a 28-point win over the Phoenix which also secured the first regular season sweep in Throwdown history.

United ended the game with a season-high 106 points, and the margin was also the biggest in the history of the rivalry.

“It was a beatdown,” Santamaria said on NBL Now. “Tommy Greer and the Phoenix aren’t going to enjoy this because they don’t like this narrative – but what happened last night was a big brother just whacking around a little brother and putting him back in his place, that’s what it was.

“There was a little bit of noise from the Phoenix yet again that maybe they were starting to do some things and Melbourne United just smashed them in the first quarter, completely ran all over them.

“When I was a little kid my older brother – five years older – would walk down the hallway as I was coming in the other direction and he just wouldn’t shift … that’s how Melbourne United walk into Throwdowns, they just think they have the wood over this team.

“Now every time John Cain Arena is full and excited for a Throwdown, Melbourne just flexes their muscles, and that’s just the reality of things right now.”

While the Phoenix were on the wrong side of the historic margin, Santamaria didn’t question the effort and intent of South East Melbourne’s players, rather he believes Melbourne was quite simply, better.

“Everybody came in and contributed. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr won his matchup against Alan Williams, Luke Travers and Kyle Bowen won their matchup with Mitch Creek, and Matt Kenyon lost to Chris Goulding at times," Santamaria said. 

“None of this is a result of the Phoenix not playing with energy or effort – Mike Kelly couldn’t have questioned any of that, they just didn’t play as well as Melbourne United.

“They just weren’t as switched on, as focused, as good at executing and as a result it was a beatdown right from the opening tip.”

Melbourne and South East Melbourne will both continue their Round 11 run when they both take to the floor once more on Saturday night.

The Phoenix will host Illawarra at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium from 5:30pm AEDT before United host Adelaide at John Cain Arena from 8pm AEDT.