GEELONG United men\u2019s coach Grant Wallace has lauded his group for their efforts in a challenging 2025 season which saw them finish 17th in NBL1 South.<\/p>\n
At the Pathways Awards Night, held at The Geelong Arena on Wednesday last week, Wallace conceded that inconsistency through injury was a large factor for their difficult year. However, he could not fault his side\u2019s effort and culture.<\/p>\n
\u201c(2025) didn\u2019t pan out as we liked,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost eight by eight (points) or less and most of those games we were very much in towards the end.\u201cInjuries and a whole range of other factors were really quite taxing and meant not much sleep for the coaches throughout the course of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
His highlight of the year was United’s double road trip win in Tasmania in Round 4.<\/p>\n
Their first game of the trip came against NW Tasmania, where a final term rally led to a 86-82 win. The second match saw United defeat Hobart 78-73.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a really great culture win for us,\u201d Wallace said.<\/p>\n
Wallace also thanked local legend Ma\u2019alo Hicks, who retired following the conclusion of the season after 185 games for Geelong across the NBL1 and SEABL.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old was a crowd and club favourite.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a locker room guy and (we appreciate) the culture and the pieces that he\u2019s left,\u201d Wallace said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnbelievable guy and I just love him to death. He\u2019ll be missed within our program, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Across the season, Tristan Forsyth led the way for Geelong, averaging 21.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n
Veteran Demarcus Gatlin averaged 13 points and 5 assists, whilst big man George Blagojevic put up 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game.<\/p>\n
NBL1 South Men award winners:<\/p>\n