Early season news and rumours

So I've been keeping my ear to the ground in several places to see what's going on early in the season. And in my ongoing mission to be the first dedicated ultimate journalist (Match Diesel can suck it), I thought I'd share some of the more substantial rumours that are floating around the place.

- First off, the South Region, and it looks like Southern Regionals is already going to be bigger than last year. GFUC made their debut in both the open and women's divisions at GCC and came 4th in both, and won spirit in both. Both teams are young and athletic, and just need the experience that comes from playing in tournaments.

- Chilly's usual two team setup was looking shaky a couple of weeks back with not quite enough players to justify a second squad. Not after last year's effort with two small teams anyway. But since then they've gone on the recruitment trail and got enough for Hot Chilly to happen this season. Coupled with the return of quite a few veterans, and the enticement of a prominent Dingo to play south of the Murray, and Chilly are looking good for title #4.

- Karma are bringing two teams into Regionals, and will stick with an A/B split. Heads of State are over in Hawaii competing in Kaiamana, and will make their selections soon. They aren't sure whether they'll have numbers for a B team, but are still working on it.

- We don't know if Evolution or Tassie Tiggers are having a tilt at Regionals, but if they do come it could very well earn South a wildcard, which would give both of these teams a decent chance of getting a spot in Perth.

- Sporting Team Box Athletico United had a small squad at GCC but still cruised past Honey, who have more players to choose from this year. Without a Worlds campaign in the back of the mind of a fair percentage of their squad, Box should be able to bounce back into semis contention at Nationals.

- Going up North now, and that region isn't looking nearly as strong as 2008. They managed to secure a wildcard last year based on Regionals participation, but it isn't likely a second Firestorm team or The Pass will pony up for the cross country flights, so they might lose that wildcard in 2009. It will also be interesting to see if Minx return for season 2009, or if we'll just see Sultry representing North.

- West are taking advantage of a home turf Nationals with two more clubs entering Regionals, which means a Western Regionals will actually happen this year. Predominantly masters-based Fear have entered the open division against a split Sublime squad, and new women's team Kaos are going up against Primal. Unfortunately for Fear they might be waiting upon a possible wildcard, while a spot for Kaos seems safer, especially if a women's Northern Regionals doesn't happen.

- There is a long standing spot for New Zealand teams to participate in Nationals, but in a non-Worlds year, and with the high cost and logistical difficulty of getting from NZ to Perth, I'd be surprised to see either an open or women's team make the trip. Chalk up another wildcard in each division.

- In East, the big news is Barefoot choosing not to participate in this season. The club's younger players are finding homes elsewhere, while the old guard are resting the muscles to prepare for probably the worst kept secret in ultimate - Thong's tilt at World Clubs 2010.

- Fakulti will be defending their title for sure, but whether they stick with an A/B split or return to even split is anyone's guess. Well, anyone outside their leadership group anyway. The biggest discussion point with regards to this is Fakulbee's performance in Coffs. I wasn't there, but one drunken Nationals player did remark to me that, "they should be punched in the face for wasting everyone's time." Hmm.

- Fyshwick are gearing up for another tilt at the title. Jonno Holmes will play a big role, and there's talk he may be joined by a couple of big name former Sydney-siders this year. Anything less than semis would be a disappointment for United.

- But touching again on the withdrawl of Barefoot, it has opened up the door for a new club to get a spot, particularly if Wollongong also choose not to go west. A second Fyshwick or I-Beam team doesn't seem nearly as likely as Umlaut or Hills getting a berth.

- Wildcard look like having two teams, as seems the norm these days. Southside, Sugar Mags and Factory Girls all appear to have similar squads to last year without any major losses/gains. But this year sees the return of Manly to the women's division. A look at Share The Love and BC Invitational registrations shows there's a mix of old and new, and they'll almost certainly shake up the Easterns and Nationals placings.

Send any rebuttals or rumours of your own to the usual address.