Free agent Chris Goulding considered the homecoming momentarily, but instead he turned his back before the newest NBL franchise was in a position to make an offer.
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Goulding has re-signed at Melbourne United for three further years that covers the season before Tasmania tips off its 2021-22 debut.
The Launceston-born star was keen to remain in the city that his family has called home for the past five years.
"It feels great to have that sort of long-term security and a contract is really good," Goulding said.
"Melbourne has been my home for many years now, so it feels great to stay here.
"The driving factor was I want to win more, so let's try and do that."
Goulding held off signing elsewhere before the delayed opening to free agency that heightened expectations of a return back to Tasmania after more than two decades away.
The 31-year-old had not contemplated finding a one-year deal until Tasmania had entered the NBL and decided to navigate a more familiar path amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"There's just a lot of tough things going on in the world, but being a free agent compared to a lot of the things people are going through, it's easy," Goulding said.
"This is our home and I am excited to be here for an extended period of time - it's good for my family as well as we are close to our families."
Goulding earlier on Friday morning told 1116 SEN radio in Melbourne that being a part of the first Tasmanian team in 25 years since the Hobart-based Devils departed the NBL after 14 seasons was a consideration of sorts.
"It's been in the back of my mind as a Tassie boy, but the reality of it is they're not in a position to make any moves," Goulding said.
The shooting guard would have been the ultimate franchise player for the unnamed club that could yet attract other renowned Launceston veterans Adam Gibson and Lucas Walker to finish off their time in the NBL sunset.
But Goulding was ecstatic to hear about Tasmania returning back to the big time and indicated meetings with his former state's side will be eagerly anticipated.
That comes after a career that began at the Brisbane Bullets in 2006 and has since racked up stints at five different organisations including the Melbourne Tigers before the club morphed into Melbourne United.
"It's going to be really good for the league to have that. They're not really in a position where they're building teams or anything like that they have to get their staff in order," Goulding said.
"They have to get a name first, so I think it's going to be really cool that they're in the league.
"But I think I'll just enjoy the road trips down there for the next three years, head down to Hobart and enjoy all that for a couple of times a year instead of being there."
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