The air inside John Cain Arena feels different when these two programs walk onto the floor. It’s not just the humidity of ten thousand bodies or the screech of rubber on hardwood. It is a specific, jagged kind of tension. In one corner, you have Melbourne United—the establishment, the blue-blooded giants with the rafters full of history. In the other, South East Melbourne Phoenix, the "little brother" from the heartland who refuses to act like one.
Most people look at the SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United rivalry and see a lopsided record. They see a 21-10 ledger in favor of United. They see Dean Vickerman’s tactical brilliance versus a Phoenix side that has, at times, struggled for an identity. But if you think this is a settled debate, you haven't been watching NBL26.
Honestly? The narrative shifted on December 7, 2025.
The Night the "Little Brother" Grew Up
The 31st Throwdown wasn't just a win for the Phoenix; it was a 111-86 demolition. Imagine the silence in the stands as Nathan Sobey—who has been an absolute revelation since joining South East Melbourne—started hunting. He didn't just play basketball; he dismantled United’s defensive schemes.
Sobey went for 25 points, shooting 4-of-7 from deep. But the real story was the collective. We’ve spent years talking about United’s depth, yet it was the Phoenix who had six players in double digits. John Brown III, Wes Iwundu, Angus Glover—they were everywhere.
For the first time in a long time, the Phoenix didn't look like they were trying to prove they belonged. They looked like they owned the building.
Why the Throwdown is NBL’s Best Rivalry
You’ve got the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks, sure. That’s classic. But the Melbourne rivalry is claustrophobic. These teams share a home court. They share a city. Sometimes, it feels like they share the same oxygen.
✨ Don't miss: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
When SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United is on the schedule, the "home" and "away" designations are basically a formality. It’s a fight for the soul of Victorian basketball. United fans lean on the legacy of Gaze and Copeland, while the Phoenix crowd is built on the grassroots energy of the south-eastern suburbs—the actual "heartland" of Australian hoops.
Casey Prather, a guy who has been in the thick of it, recently pointed out that for the Phoenix, this has always been a mental hurdle. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you walk into the gym thinking you’re the underdog, you’ve already lost.
In NBL26, that mental block seems to have evaporated.
Breaking Down the Tactical Chess Match
Dean Vickerman is a system coach. He loves structure. He loves making you play a half-court game where Shea Ili can pick your pocket and Chris Goulding can run you through a maze of screens until you’re dizzy.
Josh King, the man leading the Phoenix, wants the opposite. He wants chaos.
In their 111-86 win, the Phoenix didn't just play fast; they played smart. They forced 19 turnovers. They exploited United’s transition defense, which, frankly, looked a bit leggy that night.
🔗 Read more: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
- The Sobey Factor: Nathan Sobey’s ability to create his own shot changes everything. When the shot clock is winding down and the play breaks, he’s the guy who puts the ball in the hole.
- The Shooting Surge: Phoenix put up 31 triples and hit 16 of them. You can't beat that. You just can't.
- The Size Gap: Jordan Hunter and John Brown III provided a level of physicality that bothered Jesse Edwards and Finn Delany.
United isn't going away, though. They’re still sitting near the top of the ladder for a reason. Tyson Walker is probably the most electric import we’ve seen in the league this year. His 24-point performance in Throwdown 30 was a masterclass in modern guard play.
The Misconception of Consistency
People love to say that United is the "stable" club. And yeah, 13-4 or 13-6 records look great on paper. But even the giants bleed.
United recently hit a four-game skid, including a nightmare shooting night against Sydney where they went 1-of-28 from three. 1-of-28. That’s not a typo. It’s a crisis. When Chris Goulding and Milton Doyle aren't hitting, the offense can look stagnant.
Phoenix, on the other hand, has been the "streaky" team. They’ll lose a heartbreaker in overtime to Illawarra and then turn around and drop 111 on the league leaders. It’s that unpredictability that makes the next SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United matchup so terrifying for bettors and so exciting for fans.
What to Watch for in the Next Clash
We are heading toward Round 22 in February 2026. This is where the season is won or lost.
If you’re heading to John Cain Arena, keep your eyes on the match-ups away from the ball. Watch how Akech Aliir plays against his former United teammates. There’s no love lost there. Watch the bench rotations—this is where Josh King won the last battle.
💡 You might also like: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
The Phoenix have the biggest winning margin in Throwdown history now (that 25-point thrashing), but United has the rings.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this rivalry closely, here is how you should actually look at the data:
- Ignore the All-Time Record: The 21-10 stat is weighted heavily by the early years when Phoenix was a brand-new franchise. Look at the last five games. The gap has closed significantly.
- Monitor the Three-Point Volume: Phoenix lives and dies by the arc under Josh King. If they’re taking more than 30 threes, they’re playing their game. If they’re forced inside, they struggle.
- The "Ili" Effect: Shea Ili is the barometer for United. When he’s healthy and harassing the primary ball-handler, United’s defensive rating sky-rockets. Check the injury report for his minutes.
- Home Court Myth: There is no home-court advantage in this rivalry. It’s the same court, the same hoops, and a split crowd. Don't let the "home" tag influence your expectations.
The next time SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United tips off, don't expect a blowout. Expect a war. The Phoenix have finally found the recipe to beat the United system, but Vickerman is too good of a coach not to have a counter-punch ready.
Go to the NBL app, check the ladder, and look at the "Points For" column. These are the two highest-scoring teams in the league when they’re clicking. If you want defensive grinds, go watch a different sport. This is about offensive fireworks and city bragging rights.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, make sure you're tracking the minute-loads of the key veterans. Chris Goulding's legs in the fourth quarter and Nathan Sobey's usage rate will be the two most important factors determining who owns Melbourne by the end of the season.