Melbourne United star Chris Goulding opens up ahead of another NBL finals run
The chase for NBL title No.4 looms large for Chris Goulding but, as competitive as he is, there’s much more to life for the Australian Boomers Olympic bronze medallist.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
He doesn’t want to “jinx it” but, as he gears up for a run at a fourth NBL title, Chris Goulding says his family is “trying to find a rhythm” after the recent arrival of baby William.
Goulding almost has a starting five, now, his baby joy adding to the close-knit household of wife Molly and daughter Genevieve – and an extra layer to the basketball-life balance.
“I wouldn’t say it’s easier, it’s good, though, we’ve been trying to find a rhythm,” Goulding said ahead of leading Melbourne United into game one of the NBL semi-finals.
“I don’t want to talk too much about it because I don’t want to jinx anything but we’re trying to find a rhythm.”
Goulding says it’s no secret Molly “keeps our family together”.
“She’s amazing, I couldn’t do what I do without her, (I’m) very lucky,” he said.
The 36-year-old, when he hasn’t been pounding the court at the club’s Hoops City home in preparation for Perth Wildcats, has been doting dad during the long 19-day break since United’s last game.
“I find myself not having a hell of a lot of time to think about what’s going to happen or basketball or any of that when you’re at home and you’ve got two kids playing with you and you’re having fun and you’re immersed in that world,” Goulding said.
“That’s been so good.”
So, has he mastered the ability to separate basketball and family?
“Ah, I don’t know – I’d like to think so, but I don’t really know, maybe?” he pondered.
The golf course has been an escape for Goulding but the commitment to family and basketball has kept him off the links in recent times.
He has, however, been able to test out his new “rocket launcher” driver – the Callaway Elite – and gave United’s resident golf pro Shea Ili a run for his money off the tee.
“One of the very few rounds I’ve played recently, I played with the new driver and, yeah, it’s a rocket launcher,” he said.
“Shea, when he’s hitting the ball really well, he’s a beautiful golfer to watch. He was hitting it well that day and I might have got him a couple of times.
“The technology’s almost a bit of a cheat code, but I need all the help I can get.”
LEAVING NOTHING TO CHANCE, THIS TIME
One thing the 36-year-old doesn’t need help with is shooting.
The Boomers’ Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist is, without doubt, one of the country’s greatest shooters.
His obsessive approach to finetuning that skill is a microcosm of his ultra competitive nature.
Watch him drain three after three in practice and you’ll get what I mean. Most of them go in.
The ones that don’t swish – perfectly fall through the hoop without touching it – cause a little frustration. The misses a little more angst. Multiple misses? You get the drift.
It is that meticulous dedication and preparation that has helped Goulding, along with coach Dean Vickerman, transform Melbourne United into a perennial contender.
Titles in 2018 and 2021 established the standard. Defeat in five games against Tasmania last season broke the heart.
He says that disappointment – where a couple of ball bounces the opposite way could have meant another trophy for the cabinet – isn’t motivation, but it is something to learn from.
“It’s so long ago, so much has happened between then and now but you have to take learnings out of everything,” he said.
“Some of our biggest learnings were we harped and harped about the things that we needed to do to be able to do to win a championship and we couldn’t get those things done over the course of five games.
“If you can’t rebound the ball against Tassie, you’re not going to get enough shots and it’s going to be hard to beat them and we found that out.
“So those learnings about ‘hey, we’re going to harp on key areas of games against opponents’ and if we can get them done we’ll be in a good position but, if you don’t get them done, there’s no telling what can happen.”
And what are those key areas against Perth?
“Ha … just try to be the best version of ourselves,” he laughs, giving nothing away.
HEALTH AND AN EVEN SHARPER EDGE
So what’s different this campaign.
Well, for starters, Goulding’s flying, physically.
Last year, he managed niggles in the lead up to the semi finals.
This time round, it’s been full noise.
“We’ve been getting after it, we took a few days to rest and recover after the final game of the season but from there there’s been a focus on competing, getting fitter, getting better, our loads are a fair bit higher than this time last year,” he said.
“For myself, I’ve been feeling good and I’ve been able to get extra fitness in and be in really good shape.”
From Vickerman’s perspective, it’s a leadership edge that has become razor sharp as the finals have got closer.
“He’s as driven as I’ve ever seen him – at times, he’s been happy for others to lead but this year he’s not waiting for others, he’s driving every day,” Vickerman said.
“This window (FIBA break) he’s just grabbed it and said I’m gonna do it every day.”
Originally published as Melbourne United star Chris Goulding opens up ahead of another NBL finals run
‘Make an impact’: Former Wildcats champ plots Perth’s demise
Melbourne forward Kyle Bowen may have already won an NBL championship with semi-final opponent Perth, but says a title in blue would “absolutely” taste sweeter with United.
McGuane: The breakout star who could make or break your club
Which player will go from good to great at your club this season? MICK McGUANE runs the rule over every team and names the players ready to explode in 2025.