Made for Finals: Goulding eyes fourth title

Chris Goulding has been here before. He’s won the titles, he’s earned the accolades, he’s been given the adulation. And he wants to do it again.

The Melbourne United captain is chasing a fourth career NBL title following his 2007 triumph with Brisbane, and 2018 and 2021 wins with United. He was also named the Larry Sengstock Medal winner in United’s 2018 win over Adelaide.

The 35-year-old came second in the season’s MVP race to Perth’s Bryce Cotton, and earned his first All-NBL First Team selection since 2016, but he says a title run would see those awards pale in comparison.

“The individual awards are nice and a cherry on top or whatever it may be, but there’s one real reason why we’re here and that is to win a Championship,” Goulding said at the NBL Finals launch.

“A whole new season starts now, and I think getting some rookies, some veterans together in one environment where there is one goal and it’s winning, training is competitive – sometimes too competitive – that’s what is fun and that is the type of group you want to be around, and it gives you the best chance moving forward.

“There’s a desire to win in big games and in Playoffs and in Finals, to win for your teammates and your club, and we’ve got guys on our team that have that desire. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Goulding has cemented his place in the pantheon of Australian basketball greats. His 50-point game for the Tigers, his Boomers accolades, and his leadership of previous Melbourne title-winning sides will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.

Some of the biggest games and moments of Goulding’s career have come in the NBL post-season, and he says those are the moments you live for as a player.

“Growing up you remember moments. You remember watching MJ and Scottie (Pippen) in big moments, and for the most part they’re in Finals,” Goulding continued.

“I remember sitting on the couch with my dad on Wednesdays and Saturdays watching NBL. I remember watching Finals and big moments, and it’s ingrained in you and it’s what you remember from when you were a kid.

“If you’re lucky enough to have that opportunity you want to grab it.”

Melbourne’s Playoff opponent is currently unknown. The ladder-leaders will play the winner of the Play-In Game.