Veteran Sharpshooter Turns Back the Clock
Age is just a number, and Chris Goulding proved that adage true as he celebrated his 36th birthday in style. The Melbourne United guard, known for his lethal outside shooting, had struggled to find his range early in the NBL season. But on Thursday night against the league-leading Illawarra Hawks, Goulding rediscovered his touch at the perfect time.
Despite entering the contest shooting a subpar 28% from beyond the arc, the birthday boy caught fire. Goulding drained 5 of his 11 three-point attempts, pouring in a game-high 25 points to lead United to a gritty 92-87 road victory. The win was especially impressive considering the adversity Melbourne faced.
“I knew I had to step up with some of our guys out,” Goulding said post-game. “It felt good to see the ball go through the hoop, especially on my birthday. This was a big win for us.”
– According to a close source
Overcoming Absences and Obstacles
Melbourne’s victory did not come easily. The visitors had to overcome the absences of key guards Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova, both sidelined with injuries. To compound matters, forward Kyle Bowen exited the game in the third quarter after taking a hit to the face. But Goulding and his teammates refused to fold.
Jack White delivered a monstrous double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds, while Flynn Cameron and Ian Clark chipped in 18 and 14 points respectively. United’s balanced attack and resilience proved too much for Illawarra to overcome, even on their home court.
Hawks Lose Steam After Hot Start
The Hawks came into the clash riding high atop the NBL standings, but they struggled to match Melbourne’s intensity. Illawarra’s cause wasn’t helped by an untimely back injury to star import Trey Kell, who was forced out of action before halftime.
Will Hickey, fresh off signing a contract extension, led the Hawks with 17 points and a strong two-way performance. Sam Froling, Tyler Harvey, and Todd Blanchfield also scored in double figures, but it wasn’t enough to overcome United’s determined effort.
Controversial Finish Raises Tensions
The game’s final minute was not without controversy. With Melbourne clinging to an 87-84 lead and 22.1 seconds remaining, Goulding drew a foul on Hickey while attempting a three-pointer. The call incensed the Illawarra bench, as there appeared to be minimal contact on the play.
Hawks coach Justin Tatum was unable to challenge the ruling, having exhausted his timeouts. Tensions boiled over, and Tatum was assessed a technical foul for his protests. In a bizarre twist, the original play was then wiped off due to a clock malfunction, only adding to the confusion and frustration.
“It was a tough call, but that’s basketball sometimes,” Goulding said of the controversial foul. “We had to regroup and finish the job, no matter what.”
– According to a close source
White Ices the Game at the Line
In the end, it was Jack White who sealed the deal for Melbourne at the free throw line. The former Duke standout calmly sank four straight foul shots around a desperation three-point heave from Blanchfield. White’s clutch shooting clinched the five-point triumph for United.
The hard-fought win could prove to be a turning point for Melbourne, who had entered the game reeling from an upset loss to crosstown rivals South East Melbourne. With Goulding rediscovering his shooting stroke and the team displaying admirable resilience, United will look to build momentum as they chase a return to the NBL’s upper echelon.
“This is the kind of win that can propel a team to greater heights,” said United coach Dean Vickerman. “We showed a lot of character tonight, led by our captain Chris on his special day.”
– According to a coach’s speech
Birthday Boy Leads the Way
For Goulding, the vintage performance was the perfect way to celebrate his 36th birthday and silence any doubters who questioned if he still had elite basketball left in him. The veteran sharpshooter has been a mainstay in the NBL for over a decade, and his experience and leadership continue to be invaluable assets for United.
- Goulding’s 25-point outburst marked his highest scoring total of the young NBL season
- The birthday boy connected on 5-of-11 from three-point range, well above his 28% mark entering the game
- Goulding’s leadership steadied United in the face of injuries and a hostile road environment
As Melbourne United looks to climb back into the NBL’s championship conversation, they will undoubtedly lean on Goulding’s steady hand and scoring prowess. If the captain can continue to turn back the clock and deliver vintage performances, the league’s top teams will have no choice but to take notice.
For one night at least, Chris Goulding’s birthday bash proved that age is truly just a number. With a gritty road win over the first-place Hawks, Melbourne United served notice that they won’t be fading away quietly. As the NBL season marches on, Goulding and his squad will be a force to be reckoned with, ready to crash the championship party when it matters most.
