Third time’s a charm? United chase elusive title

'Resilience' has become the defining theme for Melbourne United players and fans, following back-to-back seasons ending in heartbreak.

Melbourne has lost the last two Championship Series' in Game 5 deciders, but Kyle Bowen says that's only increased the team's appetite to win. 

“It (a title) would mean everything at this point… I think everybody is starving for one right now,” Bowen told United Media.

Melbourne's front office has been active this off-season, assembling a new-look NBL26 roster with JackJumpers Champions Milton Doyle and Fabijan Krslovic, former New Zealand Breaker Finn Delany, and imports Tyson Walker and Jesse Edwards among the notable additions.

After consecutive near misses in the Championship Series, Bowen labelled the upcoming season a "bittersweet" opportunity, drawing on past lessons while intent on driving forward as a team.

“You head into every season, no matter what happened the season before, with the same goal. I think it’s bittersweet, but I think it gives us hope that we’re doing the right things and I think we’ve got to continue with the process," he said.

“I don’t think we should get disheartened by coming so close, I think that’s a credit to the organisation top-to-bottom, from players to staff and the front office as well.”

Teammate Shea Ili believes United has the right pieces in place to compete again

“You’ve just got to be better, be better in every aspect and just grind it out again hopefully we come away with a Championship,” he added.

“It’s a new team, but we’re super talented and I know we can get it done, we just have to be able to come together quickly.”

United will unveil their refreshed roster in a pre-season clash with the Cairns Taipans on Thursday, August 21 at 6:30pm AEST.