Change is scary but so is stagnation for Melbourne United

Change is scary but so is stagnation for Melbourne United

After falling short in back to back Championship series Melbourne United may be saying

goodbye to some familiar faces, but with change comes a chance to evolve and finally break

through.

Off the back of game 5, United had less than two weeks to prepare for free agency and only

three players contracted for the next season. The club and players had some big decisions

to make that would not only shape the future of United, but many other teams around the

league.

Among these players was Championship MVP, Matthew Dellavedova, who had the whole

league holding their breath, waiting to see where he would end up. After spending three seasons with United, Delly hit free agency. He had a standout season and proved once again how his impact on winning goes beyond the box score, leading multiple teams to chase his signature. After meeting with prospective clubs such as the Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets, while United still had an offer to retain him, Delly ultimately made his decision to leave Melbourne and sign with the Sydney Kings on a 3-year deal. It’s likely that United weren’t quite willing to match the deal he was after. While this would have been a tough decision for the club, it may reflect a shift towards a longer term

strategy.

Delly played a key role in United’s success over the past few seasons and had an immense impact on the club. He demonstrated leadership and professionalism, always trying to make those around him better. Across the three seasons he spent with United, he showcased his elite ability to work with his teammates, whether it was finding Chris Goulding for a three, throwing a lob to Jack White, or getting a stop on defense with Shea Ili.

For Delly, the move to Sydney seems like a good fit, with strong connections to the coaching staff and a system that suits his style of play, where his leadership can thrive. Delly’s time at United will always be remembered as he starts a new chapter of his career with the Kings.

Another player that received attention from many other teams around the league was Flynn Cameron. While it was speculated that the Kiwi guard would return home to play for the New Zealand Breakers, Cameron ended up signing with the Adelaide 36ers on a 3-year deal. Cameron came off the bench for United over the past two seasons and showed massive potential on the offensive and defensive end. His move to Adelaide should give him the

opportunity to grow with more consistent minutes, but from United’s perspective losing a developing guard with his versatility is a real blow. Cameron spent his time in Melbourne learning from some of the best guards in the league, like Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova, and he will now look to establish himself with the 36ers.

The future of Jack White is unclear after he declined his player option to assess his opportunities overseas. Despite struggling at times, White found many ways to contribute throughout the season. He was a constant lob threat and a dominant rebounder when he was on the floor. The Australian forward is currently playing in Germany, but he certainly

hasn’t ruled out returning to Melbourne.

While this appears to be the end of an era for United, they have been able to maintain a core group of locals for next season. Chris Goulding and Shea Ili will play their seventh consecutive season together in NBL26, after the club announced that Ili had re-signed on a 2-year deal. Joining them will be Tanner Krebs and Kyle Bowen, who will both play their third

season for United, as well as Dash Daniels who has signed as a Next Star.

It will be exciting to see how United are able to build around these five players. The club has become known for securing high level local talent and relying less on imports than some other teams in recent seasons. With locals like Delly and Flynn Cameron departing, and uncertainty surrounding Jack White, United have some big holes to fill in their roster. Despite not winning a Championship in the last few years, United still have an undeniable winning culture. Expect whoever they sign for next season and potentially beyond, whether they are a local or an import, to buy into this culture and do their best to help the team go one step further than they did in NBL25.