United hits Phoenix for six in Throwdown smackdown

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Six Melbourne United players scored in double figures, South East Melbourne kept it close for three quarters but Dean Vickerman's depth handed the Phoenix a Throwdown smackdown 103-83 at John Cain Arena in the first game of NBL26 Round 2.

Milton Doyle (18), Tyson Walker (13), Fabijan Krslovic (12), Finn Delany (10), Shae Ili (10), and Tanner Krebs (10) all scored in double figures while Phoenix star Nathan Sobey led all scorers with 26 points.

NBL Next Star Dash Daniels, 17, chipped in with nine points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 17:38 minutes.

Key Details

• Result: Melbourne United 103 def. South East Melbourne Phoenix 83
• When: September 25, 2025
• Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

By the Numbers

• Milton Doyle (Melbourne United) starred with 18 points, one rebound, two assists and two steals in 27 minutes.
• Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) scored 26 points, had one rebound, three assists, one steal and one block in 22 minutes.

What Happened

Melbourne United established control early, taking a 29-24 lead in the first quarter and extending it to 52-46 by halftime. They maintained their momentum throughout the second half. Phoenix kept it close heading into the fourth but United's depth was too much, dominating the final period 28-13 to secure a comfortable 20-point victory.

The home team's offensive efficiency proved decisive, with Melbourne shooting an outstanding 52.31 per cent from the field (34-from-65) compared to Phoenix's mediocre 36.84 per cent (28-from-76). Even more impressive was United's three-point shooting, connecting on 14-from-22 attempts at a sizzling 63.64 per cent clip, while Phoenix managed just 33.33 per cent from deep (9-from-27).

Melbourne's balanced attack saw six players score in double figures, led by Milton Doyle's efficient 18 points on 7-from-14 shooting, including 4-from-8 from downtown. Fabijan Krslovic provided a significant spark off the bench with 12 points and three blocks in just under 21 minutes, shooting 4-from-6 from the field including a perfect 2-from-2 from beyond the arc.

Despite the lopsided final score, South East Melbourne kept things competitive for three quarters, largely thanks to Nathan Sobey's outstanding 26-point performance on 8-from-17 shooting. Sobey was perfect from the charity stripe, converting all seven of his free-throw attempts. John Brown III added 12 points and showcased his defensive prowess with three steals and three blocks.

Melbourne's superior ball movement was evident in their 27 assists compared to Phoenix's 20, though both teams struggled with turnovers (18 for United, 14 for Phoenix). United also dominated the glass, out-rebounding their opponents 45-38, including 13 offensive rebounds that led to valuable second-chance points. Kyle Bowen's impact was felt beyond the box score, finishing with a game-high +22 in his 16 minutes on the floor.