It was like the Tasmania JackJumpers of old as they marched into the scene of the club’s greatest triumph to spoil the Christmas party for Melbourne United in the annual Open Air game at John Cain Arena on Tuesday night.
The JackJumpers brought their trademark grit and grind to the Bass Strait Battle and executed a professional take down of an out-of-form United side reeling from a fifth loss in six games after a 92-73 upset victory.
Watch live coverage of NBL and WNBL 2025-26 seasons with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
It was the kind of JackJumpers performance that was reminiscent of their 2024 championship, heading into enemy territory, silencing the home fans and killing you with a thousand cuts.
It was at times slow and methodical Jackies, but their defence was at its brutal best as they laughed off their 2-7 road record to produce a dominant display.
Improving to 9-11 on an up and down season, a 3-2 record on a gruelling five-game road trip could be just the tonic for the Jackies to launch into the back end of the season.
United looks a shadow of the side that were hot early season favourites.
They lacked imagination against a steadfast JackJumpers defence and their usually dependable shooting that has been hit and miss in recent times could not bail them out.
They shot just 9/27 (33%) from three point land.
The most damning stat for United was the battle on the glass, out-rebounded 51-31.
United will head into the Christmas break with their top two spot under threat from crosstown rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix, now sitting third.
United has lost three out of their past four games at John Cain Arena, so it is not such a bad thing that they get a chance to regroup with their next two games on the road.
Stars fail
The stars have fallen from the sky for United.
Chris Goulding, the usually lethal shooter, is searching for form and doing so while battling a niggling illness.
Goulding finished with four points on 1/9 (11%) shooting in a horrible night out.
Former JackJumper Milton Doyle was erratic with 13 points on 4/13 shooting, while shooting guard Tanner Krebs had a night to forget with zero points in 22 minutes.
Point guard Tyson Walker flashed in and out but needed to be more aggressive with Shea Ili sidelined with a hamstring.
Walker checked out with a team-high 15 points, six assists and two steals with four turnovers.
Eye of the Tyger
Walker lowered his colours to speedy JackJumpers guard Tyger Campbell.
Campbell’s elevation to the starting lineup was an inspired move from JackJumpers coach Scott Roth.
The former UCLA Bruin was the most influential player on the court with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
The JackJumpers had dominant players right across the court with Bryce Hamilton (18 points), David Johnson (14) and Josh Bannan (12) proving hard to stop.
Willing his team
The big man battle between United’s Jesse Edwards and JackJumper Will Magnay was a source of much intrigue.
United signalled from the outset that it was prepared to hunt for their star big with the opening two plays going through Edwards and he led his side with seven points at quarter time, while Magnay was involved, working as an offensive hub for the Jackies, producing a lot of hand-off passes and setting heavy screens for his guards.
The longer the game wore on, the more dominant Magnay became.
Magnay finished with nine points and 10 rebounds, while Edwards had 13 and four, a definite win for the visiting side.
Wake up!
United didn’t seem totally switched on at any point.
On one play, United centre Fabijan Krslovic had the chance to break out into the open court, but had his back turned on ball handler Doyle and two points went begging.
The rot set in early and United could not shake it off.
Conversely ,JackJumpers forward Nick Marshall, who hurt the hosts with his mid-range pull ups with nine first half points to set up the game, put himself in a vulnerable position to draw a charge on United forward Finn Delany, before forward Majok Deng wore a stray hand from Goulding in a rebound contest.
It was these kinds of acts that ensured the Jackies kept United at an arm’s length all night.