Melbourne United CEO Vince Crivelli has confirmed the club is hoping to play the last three games of their NBL Grand Final series against Perth Wildcats at home.
As a result of Victoria’s current COVID outbreak and the resultant border closures, the first two games of the Grand Final series will take place in Perth despite United being the highest-ranked side.
Crivelli said the club was desperate to have the back end of the series in front of their fans.
“We have the first two games in Perth and then all being well we’ll be back in Melbourne next Wednesday,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.
“The (NBL) is in constant conversation with the government to understand what we may or not be able to do.
“The hope is being able to play the last three games of the series in Melbourne at John Cain Arena, with any luck we can do that with fans in a safe way, even with a cap.
“Our fanbase here has endured so much, we just want to get home and play in front of the people that have supported us.”
Crivelli said working through the various restrictions the club has been placed under this season has been a considerable challenge, adding it was a testament to the character of United’s players and coaches that they have been able to still qualify for the Grand Final.
“It’s been a crazy season,” he said.
“It’s been quite a journey, we’ve had quite a lot of false starts along the way and to sustain the various challenges and to be there at the end is great.
“For us, Melbourne has felt it differently compared to everyone else. Everyone other state has felt it just a little bit different to how we have in Victoria.
“For everyone that has supported us, it’s a good result.”
The NBL Grand Final series gets underway with the opening game to be played on Friday night.