United men’s side reflects on tricky season

GEELONG United men’s coach Grant Wallace has lauded his group for their efforts in a challenging 2025 season which saw them finish 17th in NBL1 South.

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’s effort and culture.

“(2025) didn’t pan out as we liked,” he admitted.

“We lost eight by eight (points) or less and most of those games we were very much in towards the end.“Injuries 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.”

His highlight of the year was United’s double road trip win in Tasmania in Round 4.

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.

“That was a really great culture win for us,” Wallace said.

Wallace also thanked local legend Ma’alo Hicks, who retired following the conclusion of the season after 185 games for Geelong across the NBL1 and SEABL.

The 36-year-old was a crowd and club favourite.

“He’s a locker room guy and (we appreciate) the culture and the pieces that he’s left,” Wallace said.

“Unbelievable guy and I just love him to death. He’ll be missed within our program, for sure.”

Across the season, Tristan Forsyth led the way for Geelong, averaging 21.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

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.

NBL1 South Men award winners:

• Most Improved Player – Marach Marach
• Co MVP – Tristan De Zwart Forsyth
• Co MVP – DeMarcus Gatlin.