2009 Regionals preview

I originally planned to post this on Monday and not on the night before so people might actually, y'know, read it before the tournaments happen. But it ended up taking me all week to write, so here it is...


Northern Regionals

In the Open division there's 74 players across 5 teams, but there's no escaping the notion that this is just Firestorm going through the formalities of getting to Perth. North easily has the most difficult path to the West financially and logistically, so it's no surprise that only one team has made plans to travel. Still, there's good regional representation, with players from Townsville, Gold Coast and Byron Bay joining the usual Brisvegas lads. Expect one of the Firestorm squads to take out the title, but there's no reason either Thor or Slamtown could slip in to second place and earn an invite to Perth. Firestorm D looks the better of the two, with Mike Neild, John McNaughton and Al Don on their list.

1. Firestorm D
2. Firestorm O
3. Slamtown Flatball Club
4. Thor
5. Brisbane Barbarians

The women's division looks to be the same - a warm-up for Sultry. Only four teams fronting up this time around, but it looks like Sultry will be testing themselves with two close-to-savage teams up against QUTies and Buff Breaka Bond Misfits. QUTies lack the experience to challenge any of the three teams but they'll definitely come out of the weekend as better players for the experience. I'm tipping the upset here, and picking BBBM to win. With a larger squad and a handful of key experienced players (Kristen Nott, Sandra Poon, Gen Healy) they're more likely to last the distance.

1. Buff Breaka Bond Misfits
2. Sultry Blue
3. Sultry Red
4. QUTies Women



Western Regionals

There's a Western Regionals this year? Awesome! Since last time Nats was in Perth (2005), there's been policy changes, meaning you have to go through Regionals to play Nationals, and not just slap together a team a few weeks before. Some might yearn for those good old days, but the growth of our sport realistically means that not just everyone can play Nats otherwise we'll be running WUCC-sized tournaments every year.

I'm the first to admit I know absolutely bugger all about the West. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever seen a single gender Perth team play, and would need the other hand to count mixed. This weekend there's 106 players turning out to qualify for their backyard-based Nationals. Truth be told, I had no idea Sublime had 35 players on their list, and that there was enough interest in 3 women's teams. Rather than waffle on about educated guesses at the strengths and weaknesses of the 7 teams attending, I go straight to predictions that are largely based on how many names I recognise on each team. Although I do think the Open B2 v B3 could be an interesting game if it ends up being the Game To Go.

1. Sublime A
2. Sublime O
3. Fear
4. Happy Pig

1. Primal
2. Kaos
3. Suffer Jets

Yes, I know that's the order in what they're all registered, but I swear it's a coincidence.



Eastern Regionals

The big question this year - is Fakulti's dominance of the East on the way out? Fyshwick have again smashed their way through pre-season (one and a half tournaments, anyway), and with the addition of Matt Dowle and Warwick Shepherd to their roster they're only going to be more determined to take the title. On the other side of the fence, Fakulti have lost those two, and are returning to their "traditional" X/X split. But since they haven't actually registered the teams it's hard to make a call on how they're going to perform. At stake are 5 spots, with seeds 1, 2 and 3 at Nationals going to the top 3 from this group. Four of the top five seem pretty likely, but I reckon I-Beam have the goods to be able to sneak into the top 3. The fight for 5th is going to be interesting, with Hills, Umlaut and Brick all capable of taking it. I'm going with Brick, but whether they're making the trip west is another question.

1. Fyshwick United
2. Fakulti Pete (determined by coin flip)
3. I-Beam
4. Fakulti Ken
5. Brick
6. Umlaut
7. Hills
8. Westies
9. Slapdash

Question: Can anyone stop the Wildcard wagon? Answer: Yes. Ragine Wahine can. But they're not going to be at Eastern Regionals, so logic dictates that Wildcard should smash both the region and Nationals. However the reformation of the Manly team under the banner of Northern Beeeaatches (I think that's the right number of 'e's and 'a's) might have something to say about that. So will Southside. And Factory Girls. And Sugar Mags. And Hills Angels. Shit...this is going to be a close race. Wildcard's X/X split might go the same way as Firestorm and Fakulti and actually put them in a bit of trouble. I'll pick Wildcard Y as they seem to have a faster team than X, and Northern Beeeaatches to come in second.

1. Wildcard Y
2. Northern Beeeaatches
3. Wildcard X
4. Southside
5. Factory Girls
6. Sugar Magnolias
7. Hills Angels



Southern Regionals

I'm saving this for last because of two things. A) This is where I'm playing so I know more about the teams, and B) it's bigger than Easterns for the first time since ever (unless Fak have more than 30 players. Get registered, jerks!) Having local knowledge means I can tell you this - the best player this weekend is going to be the weather. Current forecast is for temperatures in the high teens (yay!), rain at times (workable) and high winds (oh bollocks). So experience is going to be essential, meaning the Gack Factor is going to be playing a big part in the outcome. Yep, he's back. Meanwhile Heads Of State keep getting better, and Karma are bringing probably their strongest team ever, assuming everyone is 100% fit. With some bias clearly swinging the decision, I'm picking Chilly to return to the top in South, with HoS taking second ahead of Karma. Chilly B is better than the last two incarnations of a second Chilly team, so they should safely take fourth. Cue the shitfight for fifth. Karma B, Evolution, HoS White and GFUC all have handlers who can easily deal with the wind, while Tassie remain an unknown quantity since everyone forgot they have a team until a few weeks ago. Much respect goes to Roflcopter for playing savage all weekend.

1. Chilly
2. Heads Of State
3. Karma
4. Chilly B
5. HoS White
6. Karma B
7. Evolution
8. GFUC
9. Tassie Tiggers
10. Roflcopter

The women's side is likely to be formalities right up until the playoffs, where we'll see Team Box versus Honey, and Bush versus whoever happens to win the B4 v B5 semi. Team Box have their usual crew, but with the additional experience gained by the four Terra girls during 2008. Bush have no significant losses, but gain Crystal Cheung, while Indies have lost Erin Wallis to Factory Girls. I'll tip Team Box to win for a third straight year.

1. Sporting Team Box Athletico United FC Albion City Town Rovers
2. Honey
3. Bush
4. Indies
5. Honey Gs


Good luck to everyone competing, and come back on Monday evening and watch me attempt to calculate the wildcards. Or wait for the AFDA to do it.