Trophy-hunter Chris Goulding sets sights on Commonwealth Games gold after NBL glory

FRESH from leading Melbourne United to the NBL title and claiming the Larry Sengstock Medal for grand final MVP, Chris Goulding has his sights set on Commonwealth Games gold.

Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding was the NBL grand final MVP.

TROPHY-hunter Chris Goulding is not done yet. Not by a long shot.

Fresh from leading Melbourne United to the 2017-18 NBL title and claiming the Larry Sengstock Medal for grand final MVP, Goulding has his sights firmly set on Commonwealth Games gold.

The Rio Olympian secured the first NBL championship ring of his career after his 19 first-half points helped United capture game five of the thrilling grand final series in Melbourne on Saturday night.

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Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding was the NBL grand final MVP.

The shooting guard will link with the rest of the Boomers squad in Cairns on Tuesday with gold medal favourite Australia to play their opening pool game against Canada on Friday.

Goulding was proudly wearing his newly acquired and hard-earned jewellery yesterday (SUN) but celebration mode with United will quickly turn to helping bring glory to the green-and-gold.

“After a lot of years in the league, it’s amazing to have a championship ring on my finger so I’m just savouring this feeling right now,’’ Goulding said.

“The attention will switch to the Commonwealth Games pretty soon though.

“There’s one aim for the Games and that’s to bring the gold medal home for Australia.

“Growing up, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics were two massive sporting events for our country. You stopped and took notice as a sports fan.’’

Goulding — who attended Brisbane State High School and made his NBL debut for the Brisbane Bullets — played for the now defunct Gold Coast Blaze.

Goulding turns his attention the Boomers’ Commonwealth Games campaign.

“To represent your country is always really special but to do it on home soil and at a place where you’ve spent some time, is a real honour,’’ he said.

Goulding went toe-to-toe with a number of Boomers teammates during the NBL grand final series against Adelaide and expects 36ers players Nathan Sobey, Mitch Creek and Matt Hodgson to rebound quickly once they join the national team.

“It’s going to be a little bit weird playing with them and not against them. I had a quick chat to Sobes after the game and he was obviously pretty upset,’’ he said.

“I just thanked him for what was a great series and that I was looking forward to us working together to go and get a gold medal.

“Getting into that Boomers environment and turning their focus to the Commonwealth Games will probably help them get over the disappointment.’’

Originally published as Trophy-hunter Chris Goulding sets sights on Commonwealth Games gold after NBL glory