Machar ready for grand final blockbuster

United Development Player Malith Machar is hoping to secure some preseason gold before he returns to Melbourne for his second season with the club.

Playing with the Forestville Eagles, Machar will look to secure the NBL1 Central Championship on Saturday evening when he faces off against West Adelaide.

The 24-year-old has been on fire for the Eagles ever since returning from his brief stint in Melbourne for United’s training camp, averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game across two undefeated finals outings.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In case you need reminding, here&#39;s a little look at what Malith Machar can do! Plenty more of these to come in NBL24 ? <a href="https://t.co/9qO8QkZORn">pic.twitter.com/9qO8QkZORn</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1666958287667904520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Machar credited his return to Melbourne as part of the reason he has been able to perform at such a high level so far this postseason, adding that he won’t be taking a backwards step come Saturday’s grand final matchup.

“Coming back to Melbourne definitely helped,” he told MU Media.

“Going against guys that have come through Melbourne United and the league and gotten to the NBA, it just makes you hungry. It makes you think ‘there’s no reason I can’t do this’ and work to take your game to the next level.

“They bring the best out of you and it’s the same heading into this weekend. Guys like (West Adelaide players Mitch) McCarron and (Anthony) Drmic, they demand you be at your best when you play against them.

“I like it when the lights are bright. This is the sort of stuff you play for. There’s no point in shying away if you worked this hard to get here, so it’s a big confidence booster.”

Forestville will take on West Adelaide from 8:30pm AEST on Saturday evening.