Hurt by United, Krebs plots Throwdown payback

After 108 games and arguably the best season of his career, Tanner Krebs admits he was “upset”, “hurt” and “disappointed” when Melbourne United opted not to bring him back in the off-season.

He’d thought his club of three years wanted him back. Instead, a door opened across town, and he’s grateful he walked through it.

Now rapt to be on the “good side”, Krebs is preparing for a shot at redemption as the Phoenix look to bounce back from a “beatdown” against his former club a fortnight ago.

“I felt that, going into this free agency period, they (United) were keen to bring me back. Sometimes though, what happens is things change and that’s just the nature of the game,” he told The Herald Sun's Mick Randall.

“So I completely understand, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I wouldn’t say I was pissed off, I think I was more upset.”

The sting didn’t linger. Krebs quickly turned his focus to a fresh start, and the chance to be “aggressive” in picking his next club.

There was mutual interest with South East Melbourne, and in May he signed a two-year deal to join his third NBL club.

The 30-year-old has been handed a bigger role under Josh King, playing a career-high 23.8 minutes a night and averaging 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals through five games.

Krebs' first Throwdown on the other side was one to forget. South East Melbourne missed its first 13 three-point attempts at John Cain Arena and went on to shoot 4/41 from deep in an 86-61 loss.

On Saturday night, the Phoenix get their shot at redemption, and Krebs knows exactly what the rivalry means from both sides.

“Being at United, we wanted to kick their butts every time we played them (the Phoenix) … it’s nothing ever personal, it’s just the competitive edge we have as athletes and now that I’m on the ‘good side’, the same goes,” he added.

The Phoenix take on United at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, live on ESPN from 7:30pm AEDT.