Heartland Hustle: The Rivalry Continues for Throwdown XVII

Sporting rivalries are often dictated by a team’s proximity to one another, think the Clippers and the Lakers. At other times those rivalries are dictated by the difference in their fans socio economic backgrounds, think Collingwood and Carlton.

But the one thing they all have in common is they need some sort of catalyst to take the rivalry to the next level, that can be a close finals contest, or a player that swaps teams.

In the case of the Phoenix verses United it was Mitch Creek’s monster jam on Matthew Dellavedova. After Mason Peatling coughed the ball up at half court, Creek produced arguably the biggest poster in NBL history. Peatling, reacting to having the ball stolen ran into Creek and all hell broke loose.

The two teams meet for the first time this season on Sunday at John Cain Arena.

The Phoenix are riding high on the back of four consecutive wins, after starting the season 1 and 3, the Phoenix are 4-0 and averaging 93 points a game with their full roster.

United are experiencing an up and down season, currently sitting at 4-5.

(The Dunk!)

Key Details
MELBOURNE UNITED  4-5 (7th) v SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX  5-3 (3rd)
Where: John Cain Arena
When: Sunday, November 6 at 4pm AEDT
Watch live and free on 10 Peach | ESPN or Kayo Freebies

The Line Up

Phoenix

Zhou Qi sustained a foot injury at training and will not play Sunday against Melbourne United. The Phoenix are hopeful he will return after the FIBA break in three weeks. Tohi Smith-Milner will be his nominated replacement player.

Development players Owen Foxwell and Anzac Rissetto will not suit up for the game.

United

United will hope to gain forward Mason Pleating who has been out due to injury. They will be without import Jordan Caroline due to a hamstring injury.

The Key Match Up

Mitch Creek vs Chris Goulding

Despite an interrupted pre-season Creek has had a great start to the season averaging 20.75 points, 6 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Goulding has started a little slower averaging just 13 points a game.

Both players lift for the big occasions and are at their best on the big stage.

(Creek is one to watch against United.)

The History

Regular Season Head-to-Head:
South East Melbourne Phoenix 4-9 Melbourne United

Last time out – Rd 19, NBL22
Phoenix 88–90 United

Phoenix
Creek 20p
Zhou 17p
Munford 14p

United
Goulding 20p
White 14p
Lual-Acuil Jr 13p

The Difference Makers

Ryan Broekhoff

The Phoenix have seen glimpses of Broekhoff’s shooting, each time in the last two seasons he has suffered an injury just as he was starting to build some momentum. The last three games has seen him hit 7 threes at 50% shooting.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes

Rathan-Mayes has been United’s most consistent player, and in the last two games has been the difference between them being 4-4 or 2-6.

(Broekhoff will be pivotal for Phoenix on Sunday.)

Quotes

“It’s a different team, different expectations within this group, different ways of doing things, different systems, everything’s different. There’s no lag from last year into this team, no scars that we’re carrying, we’re a new group and our expectations are high this year.” – Simon Mitchell

" You look down the roster and there is so much depth to each side. It’s probably who is going to take care of the basketball a little bit better. Both teams are going to try and get it up and in defensively, who handles the pressure and able to get through their sets better and find easier shots. It’s going to be a fight for all 40 minutes, offensively, defensively, there’s not going to be an inch given so it’s just about who will be able to execute and find some easy buckets.” – Ryan Broekhoff

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Phoenix Media (6/11/22)