United wary of Phoenix rise

In what’s been an incredible run to the top of the ladder, Melbourne United played their first game of the season where the entire roster finished the game injury free, in their 35-point win over Brisbane.

United equaled the season’s biggest winning margin – which was previously set by Tasmania’s win over Adelaide in Round 9 – in a clash that saw the side’s star players able to ride the bench in the late stages, ahead of Thursday’s clash with South East Melbourne.

The Phoenix emerged from Round 10 with a big win of their own, and head coach Dean Vickerman is wary of the state of flux United’s crosstown rivals find themselves in with the departure of Will Cummings.

“If they have a new import come in that period – it’s like is he going to adjust, or is he just going to come out and play the way he plays and scorch it or will he find a way to fit in,” Vickerman said post-game.

“There’s a little bit of unknown if they do, firstly, get the import in for that game, and who else is going to step out?

“It looks like Ben Ayre started tonight and he's playing well already, so there are guys who can put the ball in the hole on that team.

“We don’t quite know what South East is going to put on the floor at the moment with the turnover of imports and that sort of thing, but beating anyone twice on their home floor is a great challenge and we look forward to playing them.”

The victory over Brisbane also marked a return to form for Next Star Ariel Hukporti and Vickerman revealed the German center has been hampered by a knee issue since the side’s overtime defeat to Perth in Round 6.

Luke Travers fell into Hukporti’s knee less than one minute into the game against the Wildcats. He left the game against his former side, and while Hukporti returned to proceedings with a heavily strapped knee, he was hobbled.

“The knock he took when LT took out his knee, it took him a couple of games to get right,” Vickerman said.

“I think Ariel is playing at a pretty high level right now, his energy’s been great, I thought his commitment to go after ever rebound available has been huge tonight, and he’s kept the game pretty simple at the offensive end and getting in the right spots.”

Ian Clark also made his return to the side from a hamstring injury over the weekend.

“Ian was probably (ready) last week but we got him an extra week of practice, and I think that allowed him to play relentlessly,” Vickerman added.

“I thought his connection defensively and the way he got into people was outstanding and was one of our best on the roster today. If he can commit on both ends like he did today, he’s going to be an absolute big punch for us.”

Melbourne will open Round 10 on Thursday night when it takes on South East Melbourne.