Moments from glory: Melbourne United’s title mission

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Melbourne United is reloaded and ready for redemption after back-to-back heartbreaks, with Tanner Krebs and a revamped roster chasing Championship glory.

Back-to-back Championship Series heartbreaks haven’t dulled Melbourne United’s drive. If anything, they’re hungrier than ever.

“It just takes one per cent, and I know there are guys in here every day working and striving for the same thing,” Tanner Krebs told the club’s website.

“We're pushing each other and challenging one another to best prepare ourselves for that situation.”

United has narrowly missed out in back-to-back Game 5 deciders against Tasmania and Illawarra over the past two seasons, but they’ve reloaded this off-season, bringing in Milton Doyle, Finn Delany, Tyson Walker, Jesse Edwards, and Next Star Dash Daniels.

With a three-time Championship-winning coach, Dean Vickerman, steering the ship, this new-look United outfit believes anything is possible, especially with veterans Chris Goulding and Shea Ili still leading from the front.

“It's crazy how close we've been the last two years, one game. The hunger to get there again and get over the line is massive,” Krebs continued.

“I think first and foremost it's personality and characteristics, guys who are going to come in every day and work their butts off, but also encourage and make others better around them. That's probably the most important thing.

“Playing hard is also key. Our mindset is that every game’s a battle and no team is going to outwork us. Off the court, it's about camaraderie, no bumping heads, everyone getting along and getting to know each other.

“I think those are the things that set us apart from the rest of the pack.”

Krebs has had a whirlwind off-season, highlighted by welcoming his baby daughter, Hallie.

“A lot of learning. So much joy and love and happiness. It's been fantastic, just seeing the world from a different perspective,” he said.

“Just before the birth, I got a lot of work in, probably overloaded, just trying to get as much as I could knowing I was going to have to take some time off once the little one arrived.

“Once that happened, I focused on getting into a routine, making sure everyone's healthy and happy at home, and then being able to come back in and get back to work. It's definitely a challenge. It's still early days, so I'm still learning, but figuring it out one day at a time.”

United tips off its pre-season campaign against Cairns on Thursday night.