United big gets physical and beats his old club

Sam Waardenburg is still adjusting to Melbourne United’s physical style, but his first trip back to Cairns showed both he and his new side are building momentum.

Waardenburg spent his first four NBL seasons with the Taipans before joining Melbourne as one of the off-season’s most sought-after free agents, and Saturday night marked his first game back in Cairns.

Having started the season coming back from injury, he is finding his rhythm just as United hit full strength, with Chris Goulding’s return giving them a complete roster for the first time in a 113-97 win.

Waardenburg finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals as he continues to embrace a different way of playing.

“Obviously, we play a pretty physical style of play and that’s something I’ve had to kind of embrace and take a step up to, and it’s been a lot of fun,” Waardenburg said.

“I feel like I’m getting more comfortable in that area, being more physical out there, especially against other bigs in our league. I’m really enjoying that process.”

Melbourne lost four of six games during one stretch this season, but three of those defeats came by a combined five points, with only an inability to close out games costing them.

United have now beaten in-form Sydney and Cairns in consecutive games to improve to 5-5 ahead of hosting the New Zealand Breakers on Monday night.

Waardenburg is enjoying how he and the team are settling in, while staying focused on what it will take to keep improving.

“I’m loving it and we’ve got a great group, a great coach and full staff, and I’ve just loved embracing the challenge of a new system, a new defensive system and they push us hard every single day,” Waardenburg said.

“It’s been a really fun process and it’s great to see those results the last couple of games. I know going forward, it’s not going to be easier, it’s going to get tougher and we’re going to have to double down but I’m really enjoying the process for sure.”