Goulding’s position a ‘luxury’ as he slips back into the lineup.

Following back-to-back wins and his first double-header in his return from injury, Melbourne United’s all time leading scorer Chris Goulding touched on how his minutes will continue to ramp up amongst a playing group which keeps improving. 

“The plan is to just build a few more minutes every round that goes by,” Goulding explained. 

“The luxury is I don't need to be playing 30 minutes. That's great for the group. Wherever we meet after these few games and land on, I'll be happy with that. I can then just build into my role and try and help as much as possible.

“The guys that are playing the bulk of the minutes right now have been really good of late, so I can’t just come in and [say] ‘hey, give me those minutes,’ I’ve got to earn them back.” 

As captain for United, Goulding couldn’t be happier with how his team responded in his absence. 

“We've got a lot of leaders,” he said. 

“The guys have been filling in as captain through my injury and been doing a great job, so just because I'm back doesn't mean they don't have to lead and do the things that are set out in their role.

“We know the things we need to get better at. We know the things that help us to be really good defensively and get out and play fast offensively and play with space and get some easy looks so everyone's just focused on doing that.”

Following practice, Head Coach Jacob Chance spoke on the return of Goulding, and his impact on and off the floor. 

“He drives us in so many ways that a lot of people don't see…particularly here at practice where he was great again today,” Chance explained.

“In the game, you saw the power of him being back out on the floor. I mean, he's playing 15-ish minutes and finding five or six open threes. That's only going to be advantageous for us. Great to see him back there. I hope he keeps training in the right direction.

CG43 next takes the floor against the Brisbane Bullets inside John Cain Arena this Saturday the 7th of November. 

Get your tickets here via AXS.

If you can’t make it on the night, the game will be live on ESPN via Kayo and Disney+, and Channel 9 or 9NOW.

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