United for success

NBL champions vow to stay together

JUBILANT Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding has waited more than a decade for a second NBL championship ring and he won’t be taking it off anytime soon.

“The only way you’re getting this ring off is if you chop my fingers off,” Goulding joked yesterday.

And now the NBL Grand Final MVP winner has a taste for more success after leading Melbourne to the title over Adelaide on Satur- day night. With such a strong roster, the word ‘dynasty’ has already been uttered.

The big question now is whether Melbourne chief executive Vince Crivelli can keep his galaxy of stars on the books for next season.

“With all professional sports the reality of it sets in, and the reality of it is a lot of guys are off contract,” Goulding said.

“And when you have a successful year, other clubs are going to come looking.

“But we have some guys that have been everywhere in the world and they love it here in Melbourne.

“I would love every single one of the guys to come back and try and do it all over again, but I think in the way of culture and the way we’ve set this club up now, we should be expecting success every year.”

Melbourne star big man Josh Boone yesterday signalled his desire to return.

“I’d love to come back, just like last year when I said I wanted to come back,” Boone said.

“I love this city, this organisation and the fans here.

“As Chris said, sometimes those things don’t happen in sport and that’s the nature of the business, but we’ll take a few days here and after that see we’ll what can happen.”

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman guided the club to a title in his first season at the helm.

Goulding said his coach had made quite the mark in a short amount of time.

“He wanted me to lead the group, so for him to show that trust in me was great,” he said. “It was my first time being a captain and it was challenging at times.”