2009 Nationals Preview Part 1: The West

Wow, it's been a while since an update. Going back to uni and training for Nationals will do that, I suppose. So while my extensive Southern Regionals review is going to have to be canned (sorry Wetnose) due to me not being able to remember any details from it, I thought I'd launch into my Nationals previews now. It will probably take me a week and half to finish them anyway.

Last year I broke the preview down neatly into pools, but since I don't have a draw yet and we don't have a nice even 16 teams in each division, I thought I'd go by region. So today, we take a look at the West region teams.


PRIMAL
Home town: Perth
Captain: Claire Rogers
Qualified: 2nd from West
Last year: 11th

The problem with Australia being such a massive country and all the ultimate (and population for that matter) being confined to the east coast is that it is rare to see WA teams in action. Twice a year if we're lucky - Nationals and AUG. So my thoughts on WA teams are largely confined to who I actually see play. I saw Primal in action a couple of years ago in Melbourne and they most definitely had their shit together then. However there are a lot of names different on the 2009 list from the 2007 list, and they were defeated by Kaos 15-3 in the qualifiers. Despite this, the home bed advantage could work in their favour. Expect a mid-table finish.

Key player: Debbie Staples
Probably the only player I remember from the 07 side. Solid playmaker on O.

Keep an eye on: Susan Campbell
Very fit and fast. Can mark strong players and can burn most opponents deep.



KAOS
Home town: Perth
Captain: Sally Ray
Qualified: 1st from West
Last year: -

Nationals being in Perth will always produce new teams of players who suddenly don't have to shell out $400+ for eastbound flights. And so Kaos is the 2009 product of this phenomenon. Kaos have snapped up all the younger players in the Perth area, with 5 coming from the 2008 UWA AUG list. Ballarat faced UWA early in the week but were overwhelmed by the pace and fitness of all the girls on the team, so if they can carry this over to the club game they should run a lot of O teams ragged. A big win at Regionals will give them plenty of confidence on Day 1. Their list contains a few breakaways from 2008 Primal so if a local derby happens it ought to be a fierce match up. Or maybe quite friendly, who knows.

Key player: Sarah McKerracher
One of the drivers behind the formation of the new team.

Keep an eye on: The UWA girls (Sarah Brereton, Lou Delane, Steph Hancock, Danya Meakins and Sarah-Jayne Robinson)
Expect to see any combination of these girls running the wall in a pommy zone.



HAPPY PIG
Home town: Perth
Captain: Andrew Hutcheon
Qualified: 3rd from West
Last year: -

Last year I vaguely remember announcing the death of the "pickup team" at Nationals. If someone were to argue that these guys were filling that void, I'd shout back that they played Regionals and therefore weren't pickup at all going by the policy. Nevertheless, this team would not have formed if Nationals was on the east coast, but you can't fault the lads for taking the chance to play when it's in their backyard. Nationals experience on this list is very thin, with only one player having been to the show in the last two years. They're likely to spend Thursday and Friday getting their ass kicked and their real test will be if they're still holding their heads up and grinding out every point by the playoff stage.

Key player: Andrew Hutcheon
Will attract the opponent's best defender. Shut down Hutchy and you're set.

Keep an eye on: Marc Copes
08 Martin Laird Award nominee making the transition from uni to club.



FEAR
Home town: Perth
Captain: Gareth McDonald
Qualified: 4th from West
Last year: -

"Beware the wily veteran handler in an upwind point" was the advice ringing in my ear when I matched up on Buzz Burwell at Halibut last year. Unfortunately as well as having any throw he wanted, he was a lot quicker than me over a muddy ground and scored pretty much every point. But I digress. FEAR has a few players who are certified veterans of the sport (such as Steve Baker, Brian Vanallen and Colin Wagstaff) and will be able to outsmart a lot of players half their age. They may be at a home ground advantage if the Fremantle Doctor (while we're here: what a stupid for a weather occurence) decides to come and check out the afternoon action, but fitness may be lacking to keep up with the top teams.

Key players: The veterans
The three vets I mentioned before will be controlling most of the offense.

Keep an eye on: Felix Kennedy
Starred for UTas and Zing at 2006 AUG/Mixed Nats but has kept a low profile since then.



SUBLIME OBNOXIOUS
Home town: Perth
Captain: Christian Krogdahl
Qualified: 2nd from West
Last year: -

One of three clubs fielding two teams this year, Sublime are out to show the east coast just how much depth they have. What will hurt them is a lack of elite experience. They have a couple of players who have run with the best, but a handful of players does not a team make. The home bed advantage will definitely be at play for these boys, but can only hope for one or two upsets over the stronger teams. They will finish in an even numbered spot because I'll be surprised if they even show up on Sunday, let alone beat anyone.

Key player: Paul Staples
Has been a Sublime regular for the last couple of years, and will be leading the B team into battle.

Keep an eye on: Dan McNaughton
Plays a fierce D and will throw himself around the field like Mark Schwarzer.



SUBLIME ANTI-SOCIAL
Home town: Perth
Captain: John Daimiani
Qualified: 1st from West
Last year: 8th

This year's hype is surrounding Sublime. Their win at the BC Invitational blew the wind up a few east coast teams, but it could be argued that their pickups made a significant difference. Irregardless, the now often-mentioned-in-this-post home bed advantage could either help or hurt Sublime, depending on their attitude towards mid-tournament drunken buffoonery. History has shown this is laconic at best, but a serious shot at the title could change their minds. Right now, I have them slated to make semis.

Key player: John Daimiani
I have heard on the grapevine that Sublime's Offensive Playbook is just a photo of JD on the turps.

Keep an eye on: Cupcake Tulett
Yeah, everyone knows who Cupcake is, but he is a similar type of player to JD. Be interesting to see where he fits in to Sublime's game.


Next update will be a short one - focusing on the North teams.