United Member Spotlight - Dowling Family

Written by Melbourne United Media 

It’s just fun to watch your team win.

That’s all we want as sports fans. Success, the elation when the final siren blows and your team is on top.

For Melbourne United fans, the joy of victory has come regularly over the club’s young history, having finished with a winning record in all but two of its eight seasons of play.

This has brought smiles to the faces of fans of the club across the globe, including Gold Member Lance Dowling, who’s favourite part of game-day is getting that W.

In celebration of United’s Member Appreciation Game, Chris Goulding and Ariel Hukporti brought a big smile to the face of Lance, when they surprised him and his family with a Member home visit.

“The best part of any game is winning, it never gets old,” he laughed.

Lance, along with sons Gus and Isaac, have been members for the past six years, a prosperous period that has included a pair of NBL Championships for United.

With the side on track for perhaps another title run this season, seeing his side perform on the court has been made even more special for Lance given the restrictions on attending games across the previous few seasons.

Lance touched on what it’s been like to be back at live games.

“Being back at the games has been unreal, it’s just great to get out of the house.

“I love seeing the passion from the players and their teamwork up close, how they work together on the court.”

While last year’s team was full of fan favourites, Lance has quickly warmed to some of the new faces playing for Melbourne in NBL22.

“We’ve got some really great depth, both in the guards and in the centers. My favourite new face has got to be Ariel (Hukporti),” he said with a grin, with Big A standing just metres away from him.

“I love Shea Ili as well, he’s a defensive beast.”

The Dowling family, along with all United’s members, will be celebrated this Sunday when Melbourne takes on the Illawarra Hawks in the club's Member Appreciation Game.

Tickets for the game are available here, as are three-game memberships to catch United’s run of home games leading into the Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals.