Doyle returns to deliver United win

Milton Doyle did his best work late on return to MyState Bank Arena with 11 points in the last four minutes to deliver his new Melbourne United team the 88-84 NBL season-opening win over the Tasmania JackJumpers.

Just as they did to open NBL25 as part of HoopsFest in Perth, the JackJumpers and United renewed their rivalry to open the new season and this time it was a typically sold out MyState Bank Arena marking the occasion.

JackJumpers championship winners Doyle and Fabijan Krslovic were playing their first games with Melbourne back on their former home court as well to add to the occasion, and it was Doyle that was the difference late.

There were more than 30 lead changes throughout the see-sawing contest and new JackJumpers imports Bryce Hamilton and David Johnson were especially impressive, but Doyle delivered when it mattered most.

Doyle scored 11 of his 22 points for the game in the final four minutes including Melbourne's last seven in the last 60 seconds to come up clutch as he did so often in a Tasmania uniform despite shooting 7/21.

New import guard Tyson Walker also had 14 points, three rebounds and three steals in the win for United with Shea Ili finishing with 12 points, four boards and three assists, Finn Delany 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Jesse Edwards 10 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.

Despite the loss, there was plenty to like for the JackJumpers with Hamilton finishing with 24 points on 11/18 shooting and Johnson delivering 22 points and 10 rebounds with 3/7 from downtown.

New captain Will Magnay had six points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks with Josh Bannan providing nine points and six rebounds with 3/5 from downtown, and Tyger Campbell seven points and four assists.

In front of their rabid home fans, the JackJumpers started on fire racing to an 8-2 opening firstly with a bucket to Will Magnay and then new import duo Bryce Hamilton and David Johnson getting going early.

That lead for Tasmania was 18-11 later in the first quarter after triples to Johnson and fellow new arrival Josh Bannan, but Melbourne's experienced recruits shone to finish the period.

Finn Delany and Milton Doyle both hit threes as part of an 8-0 run before quarter-time to see Melbourne leading 23-22.

Johnson and Hamilton were proving a handful for Melbourne's defence with the Tasmanian pair combining for their team's first eight points in the second period for them to go back up four.

But it was Melbourne's rebounding keeping them in the game including 14 offensive rebounds to seven for the first half and when Doyle scored just before the buzzer on his old home floor, it was United on top 47-46 by half-time.

Melbourne then opened up their biggest lead of the game during the third quarter getting out by six following an 8-0 run that included three balls to Shea Ili and Tom Wilson.

Tasmania responded out of a timeout from Scott Roth with six straight points from Nick Marshall and by three quarter-time scores were locked at 66-66.

Melbourne again grabbed the momentum midway through the fourth quarter with former JackJumper Fabijan Krslovic landing a three to help them to the 75-71 lead.

Tasmania again answered with a triple to Bannan and then a score off a steal in transition from Hamilton to grab the lead with 2:37 to play.

Scores were still level heading into the final minute but that's where Doyle put the final daggers into his old team to silence the fans that adored him at the same time 12 months ago.

Doyle scored Melbourne's last seven points including a three-pointer and the clutch free throws to secure the four-point win for his new team.

Both teams are back in action across the opening round of NBL26 as well with the JackJumpers heading to Perth to face the Wildcats on Saturday night at RAC Arena.

United will then play their first home game of the season when they play host to the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday at John Cain Arena.

‍HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 84 (Hamilton 24, Johnson 22, Bannan 9)

MELBOURNE UNITED 88 (Doyle 22, Walker 14, Delany 12, Ili 12)

BOX SCORE