Doyle spoils JackJumpers in Hobart homecoming

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Milton Doyle and Fabijan Krslovic returned to Hobart in the blue of Melbourne United and reminded Tasmania JackJumpers fans why they were crucial pieces of their 2023-24 championship in the first game of the 2025-26 NBL season.

Melbourne United, without injured star guard Chris Goulding, fought off Tasmania JackJumpers 88-84 in a high-level contest that featured 38 lead changes as Doyle hit clutch buckets down the stretch to secure the four-point win. Doyle scored United's last seven points including a size-up three over Josh Bannan with 12.6 seconds left to push the lead to 86-81.

"It was really cool," Krslovic, 30, said.

"Not gonna lie, (it's) like my 200th game here, had a lot of good good times here so really cool to come, come down and be on the other side of it>

"It was a lot of fun piecing together and first real hit out. It's been a good couple months and we have a couple games in the pre-season but nothing really quite like the first game, the level of it.

"So awesome to come down here get a win, pretty special day."

Doyle, 31, who played three seasons in Tasmania, scored 22 points but was an inefficient 7-from-21 from the field. He took on the bulk of the scoring responsibility with Goulding out with a quad injury and United's retooled roster, including 17-year-old NBL Next Star Dash Daniels.

"We had seven people debut for the club tonight which is, is the most I've ever had," head coach Dean Vickerman said.

"Dash (Daniels) is an elite defender. He went against two elite imports tonight in (Bryce) Hamilton and (David) Johnson. I thought they were really, really effective and Dash will be better next time he plays against those two as well but (he has) the body, the strength, the agility has to be an elite defender and then seeing Shai (Ili) and Tyson (Walker) and some guys on our team that are elite and I think that's the area that's gonna certainly get him to the next level and then we'll see growth in his offensive game as the year goes along.

"But yeah, I'm gonna keep backing him and put him out there in, in big moments. He started the fourth quarter tonight and held his own."

Daniels entered the game in the first quarter and played just under nine minutes in total. He had two points and two rebounds.

Vickerman had nothing but praise for Doyle, who took over down the stretch.

"I'm learning more about him and he's so relaxed," Vickerman said.

"Talking to him today about where do you want basketball in key moments, and (he said) 'just give it to me in the middle of the floor and I'll make something happen'. I just love the calmness that he plays with."

Key Details

• Result: Melbourne United 88 def. Tasmania JackJumpers 84
• When: September 18, 2025
• Where: MyState Bank Arena, Tasmania
• Standings: NBL Standings

By the Numbers

• Bryce Hamilton (JackJumpers) starred with 24 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block in 31 minutes.
• Milton Doyle (Melbourne United) scored 22 points, and had two rebounds, three assists in 33 minutes.

What Happened

The Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United delivered an outstanding back-and-forth battle that had an incredible 38 lead changes.

Tasmania established early control in the first quarter, but Melbourne stayed within striking distance to led by one 23-22, on Milton Doyle's three, at the first break. The second quarter continued at the same intensity with both teams scoring 24 points, sending United into halftime with a narrow 47-46 advantage, again on another Doyle jumper with just one second left.

The JackJumpers outscored United 18-17 in the period to level the game at 64-64 heading into the final quarter. But it was Melbourne that outlasted the JackJumpers winning the quarter 24-20 to win its first game and the first game of NBL26.

Import Bryce Hamilton delivered an outstanding performance for Tasmania, shooting an impressive 11-from-18 from the field (61.1%) including 2-from-4 from deep for his game-high 24 points. David Johnson added 22 points and 10 rebounds, but their efforts weren't enough to overcome Melbourne's balanced attack and superior rebounding.

Melbourne's rebounding dominance proved decisive, with the visitors controlling the glass 54-39. Fabijan Krslovic made a significant impact off the bench with 12 rebounds (five offensive), while Jesse Edwards added 10 boards in just 20 minutes of action. This advantage gave Melbourne crucial second-chance opportunities, with the visitors securing 22 offensive rebounds compared to Tasmania's 10.

At the free throw line, Melbourne made the most of their opportunities, connecting on 21-from-26 (80.8%) compared to Tasmania's 10-from-14 (71.4%). This 11-point advantage from the charity stripe ultimately proved the difference in a game where the JackJumpers actually outshot United from the field (43.8% to 37.7%). Melbourne's defensive pressure also contributed to their victory, forcing 10 Tasmania turnovers while capitalising on second-chance opportunities.