United won’t reignite “flopping” saga

Friday, December 13, 2024

"Absolutely zero per cent chance of that being spoken about as motivation."

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman won’t be drawn on comments from crosstown rivals the South East Melbourne Phoenix, whose owner Romie Chaudhari has doubled down on “flopping” claims levelled against Chris Goulding.

Chaudhari caused a stir with his comments in the wake of United’s Round 6 win against Illawarra, which also saw Hawks coach Justin Tatum call out Goulding for a “flop”.

“It was a flop, clear as day. Whoever at Melbourne United that said he didn’t flop, give them a lie-detector test, they would fail,” Chaudhari said via Code Sports this week.

But Vickerman refuses to be pulled in to a tit for tat ahead of Sunday’s Throwdown.

“Absolutely zero per cent chance of that being spoken about as motivation,” he said.

Chaudhari said it was time the Phoenix turned the tables in the Throwdown, with a lopsided 18-8 record in favour of United since 2019.

“Our job is to chop these tall poppies down and that’s the mentality we talk about when it comes to Melbourne United,” he said.

Goulding is set to miss the clash with a calf injury, while United will be sweating on the fitness of Marcus Lee, who missed Friday night’s game with a back issue.

The Phoenix are hoping to regain star import Derrick Walton Jr from illness.

Watch the Throwdown live on Fox Sports 507, 10 & 10 Play from 2.30pm AEDT.